first model shot for the swingy red caridigan

[geeksdoitbetter]

here's the excellently written pattern - http://www.knotions.com/issues/winter_2008/patterns/swing_swing/directions.aspx

i'm working on two 40 in circulars (knit picks zephyrs, size 8), with a needle tip on one end and a cute round end cap on the other - so it's like using  two independent 40 in long needles ~grin~

makes it much easier to smooth the fabric out for admiring and trying on, now that it's not all bunched up

*yarn is Valley Yarns Colrain by Webs (www.yarn.com) - i got my 18 skein lot from a very generous raveler

Comments

[ariandar]

1) That color looks great on you
2) what a pretty pattern!
3) I had never heard of that site before, so thanks for linking it!

[geeksdoitbetter]

~claps~

i got lucky on the color - i searched ravelry for the suggested yarn, and this was the only lot large enough for my size (18 skeins)

hooray! enjoy the wonder that is knotions.com!

[dragovianknight]

That is so cute it makes me wish I had the patience to knit human-sized clothing. :)

[geeksdoitbetter]

i hear you!

i've been wanting to make a garment for ~ 6 years now

finally took the plunge with an aran weight yarn, so it's fairly flying off the needles!

[oakmouse]

Ooh, awesome. If you're willing, please post more WIP shots and a completed item shot...

[geeksdoitbetter]

~grin~

in case i forget to post here, the rav project page willl def be updated - http://www.ravelry.com/projects/geeksdoitbetter/swing-swing

[oakmouse]

Thank you!

[crystal_lilly]

You have a great smile - that is a smile of accomplishment! As someone who has never knitted a full garment before, I admire your progress!! *smile* And the color looks fabulous... I bet it's going to be a lovely cardigan.

[geeksdoitbetter]

garment knitting is so scary!

i've been watching the stockinette zombies video podcast and that plus the wonderful Big Girl Knits book finally gave me the courage to try

[cc_weasel]

That is a really awesome looking pattern! I've only done one sweater and wasn't thrilled with how it wore. Maybe going top down would work better. Dunno.

[geeksdoitbetter]

i made a beautiful crochet cardigan last year, that was 95% perfect (http://www.ravelry.com/projects/geeksdoitbetter/amimono-kimono)

disappointingly, the 5% mistake was in the neck increase placement so the whole thing just falls off my shoulders (i made a clear miscalculation, the pattern was perfect). and that error occurred in the middle of the work so i didn't know until it was finished - and i haven't yet had the heart to rip it back

i purposely chose top down for this knitted project, so i could more accurately determine the sizing from the beginning

also, so i would know sooner if things were going very very wrong

[cc_weasel]

That pattern is beautiful, but also seems very difficult to rip back that far. Now I'm tempted to start two new projects! :)

I did the Drops hoodie -- http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/109-1-jumper-with-hood-in-eskimo -- and it went fairly quickly.

The only trouble I had was at the neck split. Then when I tried it on I realized the body fit great, but the shoulders were too big and my sleeves were far to tight. I'm fairly certain I miscounted at some point, I just can't tell where. I still like it well enough to wear it a few times a year. I'd probably enjoy it more if I hadn't had such high hopes.

[geeksdoitbetter]

argh! it sucks when something small goes wrong in a garment, right? coz, so many small things turn out to be super critically important

[piemancer]

Squeeee! Yay for top down patterns! That neckline looks fabulous now, and will only get better when you block it. You look so accomplished and glamorous, it makes my heart smile. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

Your clever idea with your needles must make it so motivating to be able to appreciate and asses the construction of the garment as you go. And you can give us exciting pictures like this (for a knitters definition of exciting)!

Golly, I keep re-knitting a top of some sort with a similar colored merino... My thumbs are pricking...

[geeksdoitbetter]

~claps~ i felt incredibly clever when i realized i could use the needles on separate cords

coz, while i'm opposed to putting the stitches on waste yarn for proper fitting/measuring, it's much more fun to randomly hop up and check the mirror to see progress

[labellementeuse]

That looks awesome. I'm knitting my first-ever bottom-up cardi right now (in a similar colour, actually!) and man is top-down ever a smarter idea!

[geeksdoitbetter]

i'm still very new to full body garments (can do my fav vanilla sock in the dark ~grin~) and i'm terrified of screwing up

top down helped me take the step to casting on

whatcha making?

[labellementeuse]

It's so reassuring because you can feel that it *is* gonna fit.

Crappy photos, but I'm knitting this: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/labellementeuse/fleurette-jacket and I'm really pleased with how it's turning out (and the speed it's knitting up at! ... though it's helped to be off work sick for three days.)

[geeksdoitbetter]

pretty!

i love the button placement

[untonuggan]

Gorgeous! That color is perfect for you! And the 2 needles are an excellent idea!

I have only knit one baby cardigan top-down, which worked out fairly well. No adult sized cardigans yet but this makes me itch to try one...Aran is a good idea. May I ask where you got the yarn? (LYS or online?)

[geeksdoitbetter]

yarn is Valley Yarns Colrain by Webs (www.yarn.com) - i got my 18 skein lot from a very generous raveler

as nervous as i am, i needed the comfort of using the yarn called for in the pattern (usually, i'm all about substituting with whatever's in my collection so i can cast on immediately!)

[untonuggan]

I understand completely about the yarn substitution nervousness. 18 skeins is a monetary and time and energy commitment, you want to do what's in your power to make sure it works out!

*fingers crossed* that it continues well. ^_^