Firstly, a little update on the Vinelle situation. I am grateful that so many of you were generous enough to share advice and asked to see how it turned out.
This was the biggest project I had ever knitted and when it came down to it, I was too scared to unpick it in case I ruined the entire thing, which amounted to an entire Summer's worth of knitting! I intend to practice doing it on smaller projects, though, so that I can be more confident about fixing things in future.
I was also not brave enough to cut it or to use the sewing machine on it. Instead, I plumped for hand sewing some darts about an inch long into each side of the neck. By a sheer stroke of luck, I think, they are almost invisible and don't create padding on the shoulder as I feared might happen.
The neck is still quite open but it's a lot more comfortable to wear so I'm really pleased.
There hasn't been much time for knitting this week but I did manage to make a Windmill dishcloth/mat for a friend who sent me something lovely through the post a few weeks ago. I love these little patterns and remember finding them useful for building my confidence when I was feeling brave enough to move on from basic knit and purl stitches.
This week I have been reading A Householder's Guide to the Universe by Harriet Fasenfest and I love it! It's kind of a month-by-month guide to urban homesteading. There's no denying that the book is US centric so the foods that are in season, for instance, are slightly different but I love the author's approach. There is practical advice but also (what endears me, I think) Harriet writes about problems, making mistakes, shifting her perspective and shows a really human side that I often find lacking in self-sufficiency type books.
A snippet:
'If today I call myself a householder, it is with the hope that you might do the same. With all the obstacles currently facing our planet, householding has given me a way to understand - and challenge - the quagmire of contemporary society. It has turned my frustration into action and my problems into solutions. Perhaps it will do the same for you.'
What are you knitting and/or reading this week?
I think your cardigan looks beautiful and the neck line came out just perfect. I understand your hesitation in cutting [gasp] your knitting and know I wouldn't have the heart to do it either.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tracey!
DeleteThe cardigan is very pretty, well done on the creative fix.
ReplyDeleteThe washcloth is very pretty.
Sounds like very thoughtful reading - Enjoy
Thank you :o)
DeleteThe cardigan is gorgeous and you look so lovely in it!! Great idea with the darts. I will have to do a flip through when I see that book, it sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen :o)
DeleteYou did a very good job! The cardigan becomes you well, the colors are really yours! Thanks for visiting my blog:)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elisabeth :o)
DeleteI love large necklines....anything too close to my throat makes me feel like I'm smothering...do it is not only beautiful, it looks nice and comfy. Great problem solving!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Annette :o)
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ReplyDeleteYour cardigan is quite lovely and I personally like larger necklines, that way you don't feel like your choking. I really like your washcloth and may have to make a few for myself and for my mom :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. I prefer larger necklines, too, but this one was off the shoulders until I fixed it!
DeleteGlad you managed to make the cardigan more to your liking, it looks lovely so I can see why you wanted to fix it!
ReplyDeleteThanks :o)
DeleteI so glad you were able to alter the sweater in another way.
ReplyDeleteMine is finished and is currently blocking. I kept trying on the sleeves as I went, adding increases were I thought they should be. In turn, I ended up having to do a few more raglan decreases to get down to the five stitches before the final one.
While I like the way it came out (so far), the shoulder area on mine is a bit snug. I'm hoping blocking takes care of this. Surprisingly, I did NOT end up with the neckline as loose as yours came out. I'm wondering if there is something off on the instructions. I did not put in buttonholes and I'm still figuring out what I want to do about closure on this project. Possibly a zipper or clasps.
The more I think about it the more I think it was badly adapted for different sizes.
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing yours!
Love the sweater- thank you for stopping by my blog :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :o)
DeleteI think you found the perfect solution for your sweater! It lays lovely on your shoulders!
ReplyDeleteIt looks much better, doesn't it?
DeleteThat book sounds fascinating (oh no, I'm finding too many good ones for my wish list this week!!!)
ReplyDeletelol it's terrible when your wishlist doubles in size after wednesday - I can relate!!
DeleteI need to check out that book. I know I have said it before Hannah but that sweater is gorgeous!!! I'm so glad you were able to fix it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna :o)
DeleteI think your fix worked wonderfully. You can't even tell in the picture how big it looked in your previous pictures. I wouldn't have had the courage to cut it either. I did take the neck out of a top down sweater once because it was too small to get over my head, but that was only an inch or so of knitting. Nothing like you had to fix. But I was a nervous wreck.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen. I can imagine how nerve wracking it would be!
DeleteI think that book is going on my list. Thank you for recommendation :) Sweater is beautiful color.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Nicole and thank you :o)
DeleteWell done on a great cardigan fix. Larger necklines are perfect in the winter too with a collared shirt or rollneck underneath. Enjoy wearing it looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you :o)
DeleteIt looks fab. You did so well to save it and I completely understand about not wanting to frog any of it. I am knitting three different things at the moment. A shawl, a cardi for Severine and a quick wrap for a friend's birthday. And I am reading "Pocketful of Pinecones", which I believe was recommended by you!! The Home Baked fan club base is going strong here in Essex!
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