March 29, 2006
The shawl collar situation
To explain my recent blogland absence.. it was due to a rather large project at work, a new website to be exact, that had me putting in late nights in the office for multiple weeks. The site launched last weekend, though still a bit buggy, and I wonder if I can ever get all the bugs worked out. and completely password protected. thus no link. but really, I was working on a website. you just can't see it. really. Needless to say, normal working hours are back!
Over the last couple weeks, I've worked on the Sweater with wide collar, from Rebecca 29. Adele once made a totally cute and wearable version, and its been on my list of sweaters to knit since fall. The back and front are done, mostly seamed, and blocked.
The shawl collar grows out of the sides of the front piece. The ribbed section gets increases every RS row, plus bonus short rows are added to the ribbed section every 10 rows. Increases + short rows = Lots of extra stitches for the collar only.
Check out the nice seaming job on the back neck.
I did a 3-needle bind off to attach the two collar sides at the back neck.. it turned out pretty well. I figured that since the ribbing was going in opposite directions, it would never graft properly anyway. I knit the whole bind off row. Its a visible seam, but nice and even.
There is a situation though. The shawl collar is huge. The whole sweater is kinda roomy. Totally unlike Adele's sleek version. I haven't tried it on post-blocking, because what if its still not wonderful? argh. what is with these non-fitting handknit sweaters? I will try it on, then we shall consider the options. perhaps it shall be abandoned for the more wonderful somewhat cowl. though not without consideration of the options.
Comments (23)
I think it looks great! The camel color makes it look very luxe. I was swatching for that one last summer, but I was trying with Jo Sharp mohair, and the combo of mohair and lots of ribbing got me down. Still -- it's the perfect gift knit for a certain friend. Maybe I should pick it back up and make it a birthday present -- definitely not with the mohair, though... Looking forward to seeing yours finished!
Posted by Janet | March 29, 2006 4:46 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 16:46
Please try it on! You know in Stella McCartney's last collection she had tons of roomy sweaters with huuuge collars, so pretty. I know, it's probably not what you were going for. But your finishing looks great, did you use the Jaeger Luxury Tweed? It looks so different knitted up, very lovely.
Posted by Steph | March 29, 2006 4:48 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 16:48
It would be a shame to frog that incredible work! The knitting and seaming is pro!
Try it on first and be forgiving!! It looks beautiful!
What is the yarn - Kid Classic?
Posted by jillian | March 29, 2006 4:50 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 16:50
oh no -- what a bummer. i hope you can make this one work out because it look really beautiful.
Posted by jody | March 29, 2006 4:54 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 16:54
That stinks. I had a similar problem with the sweater being too roomy with a humongous problem despite allowing negative 2" of ease (I made the 34" size), so I frogged to the ribbing and redid it on size US#5's.
If you can't accept the fit, I think you might be better off giving the sweater away, since I've used Luxury Tweed (That IS Luxury Tweed, right?) before and it was pretty much impossible to frog.
Posted by Linda | March 29, 2006 4:59 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 16:59
I agree with the comment about the camel color. I hope it looks wonderful once you try it on.
Posted by Christie | March 29, 2006 5:11 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 17:11
Welcome back!!
Stick with this one if you can, I'm sorry but that somewhat cowl one doesn't even match how great this sweater is. I love that color.
Posted by yahaira | March 29, 2006 5:28 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 17:28
gorgeous. i think roomy sweaters are great. i am done with tiny little tops. it looks so uncomfortable. i want to see this sweater on you. so please model it soon!!
Posted by blossom | March 29, 2006 6:31 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 18:31
Definitely try it on. Don't give up on it yet!
Posted by Chris | March 29, 2006 6:55 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 18:55
I hate to see you put a bunch of work into something you won't love, but it doesn't seem like you can know for sure until the bitter end. So, my vote is to try it on and see what you think. It's really gorgeous and I'm glad your work has settled down.
Posted by Stephanie | March 29, 2006 6:59 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 18:59
Welcome back! I've missed reading your posts. The sweater looks absolutely lovely, and I hope it fits.
Congrats on finishing the website!
Posted by caitlyn | March 29, 2006 7:04 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 19:04
Yeah, I hear ya about handknit garments not fitting. But it's the process not the product, right? Right... Anyway, it looks gorgeous and if it doesn't work out...knit the Somewhat Cowl! That top looks hot.
Posted by Julia | March 29, 2006 10:10 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 22:10
I'm curious to see what it looks like on! Your workmanship is so nice, I don't even want to think you'll hate the fit!
Posted by melissa | March 29, 2006 10:35 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 22:35
Mmmmm, such a pretty, soft, feminine look. What yarn is that? I loved Adele's version, too... I wonder if there's anything you can do to fix the fit for your svelte self? Hope so...
Posted by Karma | March 29, 2006 10:58 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 22:58
well, we already had this this conversation about how things never really fit, but heck, its spring, who needs a sweater anyways. i always have visions of job interviews where im wearing some super deluxe handknit item and haivng my interviewer be so impressed with me and then ask about my super oh-so-wonderful sweater. and i respond, oh, this? i made it; im a fantastic person who deserves to be hired or accepted to school on the spot, an d this sweater, it just makes me that much better. who could resist? and when the last strings have been sewn in and everything is done, my vision goes up in smoke because everything is always too big. my friend from school told me the deep v-neck sweater should be given to someone a foot taller me. blast. save the sweater until you get old and get fatter. :)
Posted by SQ | March 29, 2006 11:11 PM
Posted on March 29, 2006 23:11
It looks fabulous so far, so I hope you can work out your issues with it. It's such neat knitting that it would be a shame to frog it.
Posted by Rain | March 30, 2006 5:02 AM
Posted on March 30, 2006 05:02
The sweater looks really nice, I'm really impressed with all of the seaming. Try it on, you might really love it!
I'm sorry the demands of the internet ate your life for a while, but I'm glad your back!
Posted by elizabeth | March 30, 2006 10:06 AM
Posted on March 30, 2006 10:06
Your stitch work is fabulous! I,too, always postpone that moment of agony before trying on a sweater.
Posted by Teyani | March 30, 2006 11:16 AM
Posted on March 30, 2006 11:16
The trying on moment is so scary. But your work is beautiful! Also, we have almost all of the same sweaters on our 'to make' list...except that I've already made Hot Lava, hated it and frogged it...and now it's turning into Blackberry from Knitty.
Posted by kat | March 30, 2006 6:26 PM
Posted on March 30, 2006 18:26
At this point, it's looking gorgeous to me! I love that pattern...now is Rebecca available in English?
Posted by Emy | March 31, 2006 3:54 AM
Posted on March 31, 2006 03:54
Just took a look at your list of sweaters to knit, and it's 75% the same as my list! :D Seems like we have a similar taste in patterns! I want the hourglass sweater pattern as well, but still have to purchase it. It's in "Last minute knitted gifts", right?
Greets!
Posted by Emily | April 1, 2006 4:09 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 04:09
Your sweater lookds great. I finished this sweater last month and I had to really block the collar. Now. although the fit of the sweater is great and very flattering, my collar still doesn't quite behave. I get so many compliments when I wear as I'm sure you will as well. I'm looking forward to seeing you finished sweater.
Posted by Deena | April 9, 2006 6:26 AM
Posted on April 9, 2006 06:26
Very beautiful color and I also want to knit the similar one.
Hi, I also love designing and knitting sweaters. All the sweaters I designed are extremely cute and beautiful. If you prefer, you can visit my sweater website at www.sweaterscn.com
Posted by Kang | May 5, 2006 11:56 AM
Posted on May 5, 2006 11:56