I think I am never meant to knit a sweater.
Sweater #1 – Too small, didn’t like the pattern/yarn combination. Will be frogging the HALF of a sweater that I knit in the near future.
Sweater #2 – I’m allergic to the yarn, at least before blocking. Since I know it is just the dye, I am still working on schmoozing Mike into knitting this one for me. It is all garter stitch, so good for when he is on conference calls.
Sweater #3 – Started tonight. Did a gauge swatch, right on at 20 stitches over 4 inches, or 5 stitches per inch. Yeah! Cast on and started the back. Knit close to 5 inches of the sweater. Decided it looked rather wide, so I realized I should check my gauge. I am now getting 4.5 stitches per inch, and it is about 2.5 inches wider than it should be. GAH!
The good news is that the pattern is pretty basic with minimal shaping. Matter of fact, the back is a big rectangle. So I’m going to cast on for the smaller size to get the width that I want. From the math I did earlier, that should work out, right? It was supposed to be 5 stitches per inch, cast on 120 stitches, get a piece of fabric 24 inches wide. If I cast on 110 stitches at 4.5 stitches per inch, I should get a piece of fabric close to 24 inches wide, right?
There is hope, right? I don’t have to give up yet, do I? (Of course, after Wednesday, my shot at the whole NaKniSweMo thing will most likely be over. But I at least want to try!)
5 replies on “The Curse of the Sweater…”
Don’t give up! Remember, it took me three tries to get it right, and you can do it too. Knitting the smaller size sounds like a plan – just remember, no mattern when you start, you’ll be done with your sweater before I finish Cable and Rib (and, yes I did see your super-cool sock mods!).
I’ve been knitting for a long time, so my list of failed sweater attempts is much longer. Just make sure you learn from each one.
The only worrisome thing I see here is your allergy. Hopefully it’s only that yarn! Scary!
I have knitted a different size when my gauge waswonky, but I like the fabric. You’ll be fine. Try knitting a swatch of the Noro and washing it and see if it still bothers you. I think it’s the dye and it may wash out – try one of the products that requires a rinse. Just think, several days of knitting ahead this week! I love holidays.
Of course you are meant to knit a sweater! As you know, I myself am gauge challenged, and I always do my swatch at my LYS. Slows down the casting on (I need to do it now!!!), but in the end I’m grateful.
I emailed the Brooks Farm people – they were very happy to hear from me – and said they’d come up with a solution. I haven’t heard from them since last Thursday, and I really needed to finish my Wallabee (because I need it!!!), so I’m making the bad skein work – it’s not that bad – there are places in the yarn that are a bit felted, but it’s just the hood, and for the most part, the yarn is as snuggly as the rest of the sweater.
Thanks for your help!
Wendy
You’re way ahead of me girl! I knit one baby sweater and called it quits. Once it came out nicely I checked off the “Knit a sweater” box on my mental mind list and have not let the thought cross my mind since.
Plus, way too much math.
Good luck!