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April 18, 2005
I’m a brave woman for putting a hot iron to my wool
Let me tell you, the first time you’re faced with a nearly square armhole opening, and a very rounded sleeve cap, there is a clear sense of panic. This is supposed to fit into that? Did I follow the instructions correctly? Then you squint one eye, make the other one itch by repetitive rubbing, and by touch and instinct only make it fit.
Pattern: Vintage Pink Cardigan by Norah Gaughan. Interweave Knits, Spring 2005.
Yarn: Louet Gems 100% superwash Merino, Opal (sportweight), color: Pink Panther (rarrrr!). Total of 5 skeins, 100 grams each ($54). This is all that remains:
Size: Hips: 33.5”, waist: 32”, bust: 37”.
Modifications: 13 pages of notes. ‘Nuff said.
Time to finish: 7 weeks.
Details:
Genuine mother-of-pearl, antique buttons were purchased from Windsor Button. They are truly gorgeous.
Here’s a more ‘head on’ shot to see the buttons:
How about the bust increases and the two sisters?
Whomp, there they are, securely contained! Did you know that this is the first cardigan that I own? I usually bust out of them, but I’m so happy with the way this one turned out. It definitely helps that the buttons are so close together, but the extra fabric in the bust area does most of the work, I think.
Finishing: I blocked the pieces individually by soaking them in cold water, rolling them in a few thirsty bath towels, then pinning them to my couch or my bed and letting them dry. I seamed them, then following Erin’s suggestion, ironed the seams through a wet pillowcase to flatten them. It was very scary to put my iron to this wool, but it made all the difference. The seams are totally invisible on the outside now! And because I know knitters are reading this, and because I know what they really want to see, I have no fear showing you a close up of the seams, inside and out:
So, my friends, this is my first adult-sized sweater. What do you think? I’m very happy with how it turned out. Would I change anything? Not really. Maybe next time I’d try a different technique for the bust shaping to see how it compares.
Last, I’m completely freaked out. I wash my hands with soap before touching the sweater in any way, and I’m not sure how I can be convinced to wear it outside of the house.
Comments
This is so, so beautiful and so exquisitely finished. It looks absolutely gorgeous on you and it couldn't fit any better. I'm gushing, I can't help it.
Posted by: erin at April 18, 2005 02:56 AM
That is gorgeous, what a wonderful knit! You're right, the buttons are perfect.
Posted by: Kristi at April 18, 2005 03:43 AM
Your first adult sweater ? You did a fantastic job.It's beautiful.
Fab !
Posted by: Emma at April 18, 2005 04:46 AM
Beautiful fitting job! And knitting and finishing ...
Posted by: eli at April 18, 2005 05:29 AM
Yay! Great job on a gorgeous sweater. I won't hear of this sweater never leaving the house! You must wear this thing everywhere.
Posted by: Colleen at April 18, 2005 06:34 AM
Wow, great job!! I still haven't gotten the nerve to make an adult sweater (well, since the one I talk about in my 100-things list, soon to appear on my blog I hope), so I am in awe!
Judy
Posted by: Judy at April 18, 2005 08:17 AM
That sweater is a work of art! Absolutely beautiful and a wonderful fit. Wear it proudly!
Posted by: Sue at April 18, 2005 08:35 AM
Wow-wow-wow! The buttons. The shaping. The finishing. The perfect fit. Huzzah!
Posted by: Ann at April 18, 2005 09:08 AM
gorgeous sweater! so lovely. Congrats on a job well done!
Posted by: Diana at April 18, 2005 09:30 AM
I love it! It is gorgeous on you, I hope you are so proud of yourself! I hear you about the sisters...I have the same problem. The buttons are wonderful! I need to search for such a store in my area of the world!
Posted by: Carolyn at April 18, 2005 10:01 AM
Your sweater is beautiful. I'm impressed that it's your first one. You did a great job. It's obvious that you are a natural knitter.
If you want to check out a different method of handling bust shaping you should try the Shapely Tank (or Shapely Tee) by Joan McGowan Micheal. She used to design for Fredricks of Hollywood. Now she does her own knitting designs. The patterns for the Shapely Tank is here. She uses short rows to create bust darts and includes waist shaping. It's a great basic top. Her other designs are great too.
Posted by: LouVFS at April 18, 2005 10:10 AM
beautiful....it looks perfect! What a great fit. You should be pleased!
Posted by: Ingrid at April 18, 2005 10:19 AM
Wow! It's so perfect for you. The fit, the color, those seams. Fantastic! You must wear it out, you must!
Posted by: Karma at April 18, 2005 10:37 AM
Simply stunning! Certainly something to be un-grumpy about!
Posted by: Kathy at April 18, 2005 10:59 AM
Gorgeous! It's all just perfect. Great job and I can't wait to see what you do next.
Posted by: Stephanie at April 18, 2005 10:59 AM
You've done a superb job. Any plan for the next project?
Posted by: Agnes at April 18, 2005 11:10 AM
Amazing! Impossible to believe that's your first adult sweater. You are a pro!
Posted by: Norma at April 18, 2005 11:56 AM
Girl, you have no reason to be grumpy now because that sweater is BEE-OO-TI-FUL!!!! I love it, and it looks sooo cute on you! I understand your apprehension about the sweater becoming "soiled", but that sweater is too purty to be cooped up inside!
Posted by: Tara at April 18, 2005 11:57 AM
Oh my goodness, look at you! Look at your fandom!
I have to admit that I'm a little jealous you can whip out your first adult sized sweater in 2 months and have it be so perfect, when I really feel mine is a million steps from perfect and took over a year.
Anyway, though, it looks great! You're an inspiration!
Posted by: Betsy at April 18, 2005 12:18 PM
Wow, that's your first sweater?? Very nice.
Posted by: Bea at April 18, 2005 01:51 PM
Holy cow, that's wonderful. It looks absolutely perfect on you. I'm positively green with envy.
Posted by: Kate at April 18, 2005 02:21 PM
>>I usually bust out of them
That is a fabulous sweater! It looks wonderful on you, perfectly fitted and finished. From the closeup of the buttons, I deduce that there is a sizeable overlap under the buttonhole 'band'? Did you add this or was it part of the pattern?
OK, now you can move right on to conquer the Adrienne Vittadini (sp?) sweater.
And not-so-BTW, that's *definitely* a small grin, and totally deserved, on your face!!
Posted by: CatBookMom at April 18, 2005 02:33 PM
It's great! This is my first time visiting your blog, but I had to comment and say that I love the sweater. I liked it in Interweave, but wondered how it would look on a 'real' person.
It's great!
BTW, I read your blog for at least 20 minutes, and simply cannot picture you as a grumpy person.
Posted by: Wendi at April 18, 2005 04:30 PM
Excellent! Let's have a standing ovation for Grumperina and her lovely cardigan. YAY!!!! BRAVO!!!
Posted by: KarenK at April 18, 2005 05:36 PM
Fabulous! And the fit is wonderful! Great job.
Posted by: Diana at April 18, 2005 06:05 PM
WOW. I loved that cardie when I saw it in IK, and yours is just perfect. Perfect! Stunning.
This is my first time at your blog -- I had no idea that grumps wore pink cardigans!
Posted by: alison at April 18, 2005 07:06 PM
Congrats! It is simply lovely!
Posted by: Marisa at April 18, 2005 09:12 PM
Congratulations! You look lovely in your brand new sweater.
Posted by: June at April 18, 2005 09:45 PM
It's absolute perfection!
Posted by: Tipper at April 18, 2005 10:46 PM
You know, I don't even know you, but I have to say that your endowments look mighty fetching in that there sweater. (I'm normal, really. Ask Colleen, or Norma. I don't usually compliment people on their endowments) It's a terrific sweater for you, looks great, and I think it 's your colour. Beautiful knit.
Sorry about the compliment.
Posted by: julia fc at April 18, 2005 11:56 PM
