Thursday, February 07, 2008

But I don't want to block it!

"Why not?" you might ask. Well, I know a few things you don't know. Firstly, this top is 80% baby alpaca which means it is going to 'bloom' as soon as it gets wet. Secondly, I tested a swatch and it bloomed after I washed it so I know it is going to bloom. However, I neglected to measure my swatch before I washed it so I have no idea how much. I know my beautifully fitted sweater may not be so fitted after a trip in the wash. Blah. I'll let you know how that goes....

Also, should I lengthen the ribbing on the sleeves? I am afraid it is not balanced considering the length of the hem ribbing and the cowl.

Things I have learned thanks to Secret of the Stole ii...

1. after a few beers is not the time to learn how to knit continental- all I gained in drunken confidence I lost in hand eye coordination. I figured if I could crochet holding the yarn in my left hand, I should be able to knit with it in my left hand as well. I was wrong.

2. When the chart changes, the knitting should too.

3. It is much quicker to drop down the stitches in the section with the mistake and reknit it, than frogging and reknitting six rows. All I needed was a pillow, a bright light and a pair of dpn's. and some patience.

4. I can knit faster when the house is empty and the tv is off.

5. Stoles are easier to photograph on circular needles than they are on straights, and I am knitting this one on straights.

6. Just when I start patting myself on the back for how quickly I am knitting and how beautiful it is and how I barely have to look at the chart... I will screw something up. Then I will have to put to use the skills picked up in number 3.

7. KAL's are great motivation for a project that I might otherwise shove in a corner in disgust instead of taking the time to learn to corrrect my mistakes.

9 comments:

urbanknitrix said...

I love the sweater, I think it looks great and if you FEEL like it maybe a couple more rows of the rib will be nice - but you dont have to.

Drunken Confidence is bliss....until you sober up. Dang.

Lara said...

I love the sweater! It is gorgeous! I think the sleeves actually look fine. I think extra ribbing on 3/4 length might look funny. If the sleeves were full length I would say more ribbing. Hopefully that made sense!

Yep, I did the knitting and drinking when I did my stole and it amounted to a whole lot of painful tinking back!

Cass said...

I can't imagine anyone being stoopid enough to drink and knit. :)

Sweater is stunning and fits like a dream! Don't block it! just leave it! It never has to be washed, right?

And the sleeves look fine to me, I don't think it's unbalanced.
Great color!

Anonymous said...

The sleeve ribbing looks fine to me, I think it depends on how much it bothers you. But the sweater looks fantastic! Please let me know how washing goes--I've got some alpaca in the stash, but am resisting knitting it into a garment for the reason you mentioned.

MadMad said...

The sweater looks great as is! Love the color and the neckline.

knittingma said...

I *love* it! I don't think you need to add to the sleeve ribbing at all. It looks wonderful on you. And it doesn't need to be blocked. :)

Octopus Knits said...

The Sweater is gorgeous - I hope it doesn't grow too much in the blocking because it fits so beautifully! I think the sleeves look nice the way they are, but would also look great with ribbing the same length as the sweater bottom... it's your call : )

Anonymous said...

Wow! Is that a THIRD somewhat cowl? You're so good at those. I was thinking about picking mine up again after frogging... I made the whole body, tried it on, and it was way too big. Sux.

I'm with you... I think maybe a couple more ribbed rows would balance the sleeves. If you don't you might question it every time you wear it....

Great FO. :)

Reve said...

lovely sweater. i like the length of the sleeve, but would frog back a bit to lengthen the ribbing and not necessarily the length of the sleeve.