Friday, September 29, 2006

First Sweater

I getting close to being finished knitting my first sweater. It's a disappointment. I under guesstimated on the amount of yarn I would need, twice. I started it with a light green yarn but ran out at a little below bust level. I bought some new yarn, figuring I would complete the rest of it in a darker green, saving a little of the lighter green to add some interest to the sleeves. I don't think I have enough of the darker green to finish the sleeves. I could not find any more of the same color at the yarn store. Oh well, maybe I have enough to do 3/4 sleeves.

I liked the simplicity of the pattern (though it turned out to be too complex for me-I would have had to count and keep track of where I was, what row, what stitch) but did not like the weight of the yarn, I wanted something lighter. So I changed the yarn, the pattern and tried to do it on my own. The problem is I did not understand how changing the pattern to a ribbed pattern would affect the fit and I sure didn't think that running short on yarn would mean I would have to make it shorter. And of course I don't like to measure myself, so I did the size based on guess work. And the results it it is too short, too clingy and at the same time shapeless. But it my first completed, or will be my first completed sweater, so I will love it and wear it.

I have plans for my second and third. The second will just be a simple cardigan, of Paton's Grace in lilac. This time I will check the gauge and use the yarn called for. I will even measure myself.

My real interest is in making my own designs. I have been buying tons of varying shades of purple yarn. My third sweater will be a simple cardigan, made up of color blocks. I will use a simple shape and pattern and I will plan. I will measure the gauge and figure out how to make the same pattern in the new gauge.

I can do it. I am woman.

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