Read on Twitter
Anyway, I'm about to do a thread on this sweater bc why the hell not? And I am so proud of it. (And some of you have questions so this will be most of the deets.)
So back in November 2018... https://twitter.com/mel_thegreat/status/1248190242743435265
So back in November 2018... https://twitter.com/mel_thegreat/status/1248190242743435265
I was on a knitting kick. It usually hits in the fall/winter months. I was tired of just making hats, fingerless gloves and unfinished scarves. But like who has the time to make a blanket and I definitely don't have the attention span.
And then I discovered @HeySweetGeorgia Taking Back Fridays fabric arts vids on Youtube.
I love this channel and Felicia is so bright and smart. I think I watched one of the vids where she showcased the fall/winter catalog of patterns. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDOVjzkJ94fhE7oakF6Nl-XUKMTMvjhMJ
I love this channel and Felicia is so bright and smart. I think I watched one of the vids where she showcased the fall/winter catalog of patterns. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDOVjzkJ94fhE7oakF6Nl-XUKMTMvjhMJ
I absolutely fell in love with this pattern: https://sweetgeorgiayarns.com/shop/oatlands/
I've never made a sweater in my life. I had barely managed to make a pair of socks, that were falling apart bc of shoddy knitting.
I did not let that deter me at all.
I've never made a sweater in my life. I had barely managed to make a pair of socks, that were falling apart bc of shoddy knitting.
I did not let that deter me at all.
I am also a knitter on a budget so I couldn't afford the absolutely beautiful hand-dyed yarn they suggested. I hit Michael's, found something comparable and took what they had in stock. I think it was like three balls of yarn.
https://www.garnstudio.com/yarn.php?show=drops-lima&cid=17 (My color is petrol)
https://www.garnstudio.com/yarn.php?show=drops-lima&cid=17 (My color is petrol)
I figured if I actually used all three balls bc, again, my attention span is short I'd just order more.
(HAHAHAHAHAHAHA)
(HAHAHAHAHAHAHA)
This is what I had to suddenly learn about knitting.
GAUGE IS GOD.
If one is going to make a sweater or anything that you want to actually fit you, you should make a gauge.
I half-assed one. Figured since I was about five stitches off, and that was w/out blocking, I'd be fine
GAUGE IS GOD.
If one is going to make a sweater or anything that you want to actually fit you, you should make a gauge.
I half-assed one. Figured since I was about five stitches off, and that was w/out blocking, I'd be fine
Can you see where this is going?
This doesn't even figure in that at this time, I was not very good at reading patterns or following them. The chart for the cabled part looked like insanity.
But I figured I would tackle one thing at a time.
This doesn't even figure in that at this time, I was not very good at reading patterns or following them. The chart for the cabled part looked like insanity.
But I figured I would tackle one thing at a time.
So lemme explain the construction of this sweater.
You have the main piece. It's knitted as one flat rectangle. You fold the ends so it makes a triangle then mattress stitch them together. BUT leave a hole for the sleeves.
AND THEN...
You have the main piece. It's knitted as one flat rectangle. You fold the ends so it makes a triangle then mattress stitch them together. BUT leave a hole for the sleeves.
AND THEN...
Along the outer edge, you do the cabled part. You can knit it on directly or do it separately then attach.
For my size, the main piece is 348 rows, 120+ stitches.
For my size, the main piece is 348 rows, 120+ stitches.
And I half-assed the gauge, you guys. lol
Anyway, from Nov. 18 to Oct. 19, I'm knitting this thing off and on. In between, I actually make better socks. I learn to read patterns. In short, I just get better at knitting.
Anyway, from Nov. 18 to Oct. 19, I'm knitting this thing off and on. In between, I actually make better socks. I learn to read patterns. In short, I just get better at knitting.
And the more I knit off and on on this sweater, I'm realizing I really should have done a better gauge. But now I'm like I'm 50+ rows in.
I measure on and on and every time I'm coming up INCHES short both on width. I'll be fine on length bc you can just keep knitting, right?
I measure on and on and every time I'm coming up INCHES short both on width. I'll be fine on length bc you can just keep knitting, right?
I blow through the three balls of yarn. I order more. If I keep going I am going to go well past the suggested 8 balls I will need.
BUT I KEEP KNITTING. lol
BUT I KEEP KNITTING. lol
Until very late October when I've hit 96 rows. Even with blocking, I can't make the right measurements. And at this point, if I finish this goddamn sweater and it doesn't fit right I am going to cut somebody. Preferably myself.
There is only one choice. I frog the sweater.
There is only one choice. I frog the sweater.
Cue despair and thoughts of fuck knitting.
And then I become determined. I do another gauge. I block. I switch to needles that might make gauge and do another one. I block again.
I get gauge!
I start again officially in Nov. 19.
And then I become determined. I do another gauge. I block. I switch to needles that might make gauge and do another one. I block again.
I get gauge!
I start again officially in Nov. 19.
I get bored doing endless rows of stockinette and start doing the cable separately.
I finish the main piece and curse the existence of mattress stitch. (Dear gawd. Why does wool snap when you are just trying to tighten an f'ing seam?!)
I learn how to block using hardback books. ( I so need a blocking board and pins.)
I learn how to block using hardback books. ( I so need a blocking board and pins.)
I learn that a cable repeat can be endless and soul crushing.
Also, how to rescue dropped live stitches if you yank too hard and 20 cable stitches come undone.
ALSO, how to crochet a Baby Yoda if you get tired of making a fucking sweater.
Also, how to rescue dropped live stitches if you yank too hard and 20 cable stitches come undone.
ALSO, how to crochet a Baby Yoda if you get tired of making a fucking sweater.
I am now learning BUT DO YOU REALLY NEED AN I-CORD? (Yes, I do bc I am anal retentive.)
But really, what you can see w/the finished product is that I am actually crafty. I can make something beautiful w/my hands. Oh boy does knitting help w/stress and grief.
But really, what you can see w/the finished product is that I am actually crafty. I can make something beautiful w/my hands. Oh boy does knitting help w/stress and grief.
The last most important lesson is if it technically takes you a 1yr+ to make a fucking sweater, you will demand to be buried in it.
*Also, did you guys know there is a thing called dye lots? WHO KNEW? But like if you find yarn you love, get it from the same dye lot.
