Sometimes You Need a Redo
Remember Ravi? Cute Cardigan, in garter stitch, 3/4 sleeves, shaped hem? Well, Ravi is no more. I love the look of the design and there are no problems with the pattern, I just wasn't wanting to work on it. When that happens, I know its time to take a serious look at the project, because something is bugging me. With Ravi, I was afraid it wouldn't work for my wardrobe.
The suggested yarn for the pattern is Socks That Rock Mediumweight which I was using. It's a sport weight yarn but because it's designed for socks, it has a lot of twist and is a very dense yarn. I wasn't quite through my first skein of it yet, but the part I had knitted just felt heavy. This was exacerbated with the garter stitch - garter stitch compresses in the vertical direction and it's not a flat fabric - it has horizontal ridges. It almost works like something corrugated and will trap body heat accordingly. I could tell that with the density of the yarn and the texture of the garter stitch, this would be one warm sweater. I love warm sweaters and yes, there are times when you can wear warm sweaters in Texas. I don't see much use for warm sweaters with 3/4 length sleeves though. If I need a warm sweater, I want long sleeves. I know I could have knit long sleeves, but the 3/4 length sleeves just seemed perfect for Ravi. I didn't want to change that. So once I admitted all this to myself, it was off to the frog pond with Ravi. I might try again at some point with a less dense yarn, but for now, I'm moving on.
I've already chosen and started a new pattern with the yarn and this will be much more suited to what I can wear here. I'll give you a peek of the new project later this week. Oh, and I mentioned spinning over the weekend in Friday's post. Max was unfortunately in full Wrecking Ball mode over the weekend so I chose not to spin - thought it was safer for everyone involved. Maybe sometime this week I can get out the wheel. He's got to sleep sometime (other than at night, which he still does, all night long, under the covers, sideways).
The suggested yarn for the pattern is Socks That Rock Mediumweight which I was using. It's a sport weight yarn but because it's designed for socks, it has a lot of twist and is a very dense yarn. I wasn't quite through my first skein of it yet, but the part I had knitted just felt heavy. This was exacerbated with the garter stitch - garter stitch compresses in the vertical direction and it's not a flat fabric - it has horizontal ridges. It almost works like something corrugated and will trap body heat accordingly. I could tell that with the density of the yarn and the texture of the garter stitch, this would be one warm sweater. I love warm sweaters and yes, there are times when you can wear warm sweaters in Texas. I don't see much use for warm sweaters with 3/4 length sleeves though. If I need a warm sweater, I want long sleeves. I know I could have knit long sleeves, but the 3/4 length sleeves just seemed perfect for Ravi. I didn't want to change that. So once I admitted all this to myself, it was off to the frog pond with Ravi. I might try again at some point with a less dense yarn, but for now, I'm moving on.
Labels: Cardigans
posted by Melanie at 8:48 AM
3 Comments:
Yep, sometimes the yarn and pattern just don't sing together.
Perhaps you could re-work the body as stockinette instead? Then it wouldn't be so heavy and the 3/4 sleeves would be OK.
I got my Ravi body totally done, tried it on and found the same issues with the yarn and garter stitch and the fabric being too thick. It's back in cakes but I have a new pattern already printed out. I think Ravi would be better in stockinette and might try it again sometime.
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