Pattern: Grace by Jane Richmond
Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label in Soft Canyon (OOAK)
After months of working on cute critters and such, I am finally back to this pretty little sweater. It seems that I really didn't do the proper math or something, because I'm finding that now that I'm back at it it's a little more fitted than I'd like it to be, though I'm the same size. I was envisioning a little bit more wiggle room for layering with tees that have long sleeves, but after being ALMOST done with the first sleeve, I realized it was not gonna work for me. It's so good to be able to try things of as you go! So...I ripped back the sleeve.
Back on waste yarn go the stitches
I weighted the yarn to get a good idea of how much yarn the sleeve was taking. Though I can see the value in alternating skeins of hand dyed yarn for more of a consistent look, I would really rather not. This time I'm going to see what it looks like with using the same skein for both sleeves and not alternating between two. Living on the edge, I know.
(Yummy fudge to distract from all of that ripping back!)
Then I started to think about the button band. The body of the sweater is a little too snug, too. Not as bad as the arms, but I was brainstorming a solution that would NOT involve starting over completely. I seriously considered who I know that might be able to wear it if I just finished it as is, but it is so pretty, and I really couldn't think of a friend it would fit. Really.
Maybe adding a lace panel in the button band would add just enough positive ease.
To give my mind a little time away from the sleeves, I decided to go ahead and work on the button band and collar before returning to them. I prefer the idea of being completely finished with the body of the sweater before starting the sleeves anyway; that way I can make a better judgement call about what sleeve length would be best...you know, since we're going off pattern here anyway.
There's just something so beautiful about a line of picked up stitches!
One day this week I had a pretty awesome knitting session outside in the front yard while my boys played...then I remembered that I really should decrease before the little lace panel in the button band. It was a little bunchy. Second try was much better!
The original sweater design is sweet and I love it, but I think this addition will be a good fix for my "issue". I'm excited to get cracking on that right side. Oooo! And button holes. Fun! And isn't that colorway dreamy? TFA is definitely my favorite hand dyer!
And of course, this week's flowers....Sweet and simple carnations and mums. Aw!
