My last progress post was in January, remember that post?
The pattern is Mary Jane, and my notes are here on Ravelry. (As usual, there are loads.)
I started this over Christmas time. I think the knitting took me about 2 months, which really isn't bad for me! I consider myself a slow knitter. And boy, those puff sleeves are a lot of fabric to knit!
The pattern is a basic pattern, with a cute stitch pattern laid out in stripes, alternating with stocking stitch. It actually had no waist shaping at all, but I added loads! I had to fudge the stitch pattern on the sides where the decreases/increases were, but it looks fine to my eye.
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| There's a slight distortion in the stitch pattern, but it's worth it for the sweet, sweet waist shaping. Also, no I'm not pregnant, just posing oddly, haha! |
I'm still learning about ease with knits. I tried to maintain a consistent 1" of negative ease- the pattern was designed for 0-3" of positive ease, so I thought I was being a bit of a rebel for going with less than that. But honestly, it doesn't feel clingy and so I'm sure I could have gone with more negative ease. I don't know if that only applies to this type of yarn though. This was a merino/cotton blend yarn, and I understand that both of these are supposed to "grow". I hope this garment doesn't end up baggy and out of shape! I will update if it does!
Speaking of growing, I added a few rows of length to the armholes, and I ended up overdoing it. I will have to remember for next time (it's so obvious now): Once you've knitted the garment longer, that will pull the armholes down with the weight of the body. Oh well, I'm not too bothered.
Ooh, I did one fancy thing- I added short rows! I decided the neckline wasn't high enough in the back, but fine in the front so I added more rows to the back of the ribbing:
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| See how the ribbing is longer in the back? |
Basically, I've found myself to be an incorrigible pattern tweaker. I can't just leave it the way it is! I also reduced the length of the top a lot. I feel this is the perfect length for wearing on top of pretty skirts, sitting just on my hip bone. Speaking of skirts, I'm wearing one I made, and it goes with everything it seems!
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| Wind playing havoc with me as usual... keep that hair in place! |
I also found a new stretchy bind off which is my new fav! It's the K2tog bind off, and it's very easy, while producing (what I feel is) a less conspicuous edge than the other stretchy bind offs I've tried. I used it on the sleeve cuffs and hem.
Oh, and in case you think I knitted this perfectly, just be aware that I'm still ending up doing janky fixes. Ya know, like how my stitch marker left slight laddering down the front, or how I messed up a short row and made a hole, lol. Know what I do? Shh, don't tell anyone, but I stitch it up on the wrong side with a tapestry needle and yarn. Heh heh. Hopefully as I improve I won't have to resort to that anymore.. :P
Also, in case you also thought I was glamourous, just be aware that after these photos were taken, I went inside and changed into more casual clothing. That's right, I only put this on for photos, lol! What a fraud :D
All in all, I'm very happy with this knit! I think it's less practical than a cardigan though, which I think will be my knitting focus for the next while. I want one in every shade of the rainbow, hee!
I feel the square neckline is perfect to show off a delicate piece of jewellery, which I don't get the chance to wear often, so that's nice! And I hope I wear it out more, not just for photos. (I'm still getting used to the idea that I can wear my knits, haha.)
I always say this, but... I'm so loving knitting right now :)