I've finally finished my Mandel sweater - phew!
I began this project way, way back in January 2012, and can't believe that it's taken me 14 months to get it finished.
This sweater and I have had some fallings out along the way. To such an extent that I frogged the whole thing and started again from scratch.
Perhaps I'm just not cut out for knitting clothing for myself (or for anybody over the age of 5).
Knitting this sweater has actually made me question whether I can actually knit at all. Maybe I've just been playing around at it in the past, and I'm not the competent knitter I like to think I am.
(please ignore our spare room in the background - it's a total mess)
I’m fairly pleased with the end result, but I'm sure that if I'd have had more experience of knitting garments for myself, I could have done a much better job.
Practice makes perfect I guess.
Luckily it fits perfectly and even though I used a cotton yarn, it’s very warm. In fact, I'm wearing it today - there's a snowy blizzard going on outside as I type.
What I love about this sweater are the pleat details across each front of the shoulder saddles, and down each side of the body, which create a lovely drapey effect. These details are what inspired me to knit this sweater in the first place.
Materials:
Yarn: Rowan Pima Cotton DK
Colourway: Peppercorn.
Needles: 3mm
Mods:
Cast on 12 stitches underarm.
Did 7 pleats (rows 20, 36, 52, 68, 84, 100, 116).
Knit body until back measured 60cm.
Didn’t do the false seams on either the body or the sleeves.
For each arm I picked up 49 stitches from scrap yarn and 12 stitches from underarm, knit 1 round, then on next round made 3 stitches (total stitches 64).
Did 7 pleats (rows 20, 36, 52, 68, 84, 100, 116).
Knit body until back measured 60cm.
Didn’t do the false seams on either the body or the sleeves.
For each arm I picked up 49 stitches from scrap yarn and 12 stitches from underarm, knit 1 round, then on next round made 3 stitches (total stitches 64).
If I made this sweater again I’d knit both the body, and the arms that little bit longer. Also, I wouldn’t flare out the cuff at the bottom of the sleeve.
I was planning on casting on for this sleeveless top by Veera Välimäki next. Though I'm a little apprehensive.
I suppose it's best to just bite the bullet and cast on for another garment, before I chicken out altogether, and just knit hats and scarves for the rest of my life. Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zones don't we?
I should really try and conquer another one of my knitting fears - knitting socks!!!
Hope you're all managing to keep warm in this Wintry weather.
*
It looks great Jill, don't be so hard on yourself!
ReplyDeleteI love Rowan Pima cotton although to be fair I've only ever knit bunny cardigans with it!
I know I never knit for myself because I get bored so quickly but I do admire all the lovely sweaters that appear on Ravelry.
Your sweater is lovely and don't be put off knitting another one.
V xxx
It's really lovely, and I bet it's toasty and ideal for a day like today. I never knit large garments because I'm such a slow knitter that I'd never finish.
ReplyDeletelooks great! I am all about knitting little things that I can get finished.
ReplyDeletesocks are great to knit, I knit them with the magic loop method, so very satisfying!
I think it looks excellent. I've never knitted arms, though, I've always knitted sleeves ;-)
ReplyDeleteSmall projects only for me now, due to the hand problems, though. I'm quite small, but even so, only short sleeved stuff even for me. Child sized stuff, mittens, shawls/shawlettes, stuff that has relatively short rows, so that if my hands start to hurt I can just stop knitting.
It looks great! Well done for finishing it :-)
ReplyDeleteIt looks gorgeous - I love it! Ive never had the patience to knit anything so big. It really suits you too xxx
ReplyDeleteIt looks great on you, well done, it's lovely. Good luck with the next garment :)
ReplyDelete