Beautiful yarn sitting in my closet – never again to be worn – simply gathering dust. There really was no other option.
Six months ago this was a near-perfect fit… no so much anymore.
I finished this sweater right before I started my weight loss regimen in February. Now, it will not even stay on my shoulders, and hangs in a very unflattering way around my torso. I have lost the majority of my weight on top – down three cup sizes, and several inches in my arms and ribcage – so there aren't many tops that fit anymore. Now to get some of that reduction in my hips…
No last rites – no swan song.
Just some scissors and the trusty ballwinder.
Yeah, it was a little liberating. Kind of the whole creator/destroyer aspect; "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out of it!" 
Good news is that I now have some thousand yards of worsted weight alpaca/silk blend to do whatever I want. The possibilities are endless!
I was on a roll. The fun did not stop there.
I fell in love with the yarn, and the amazing color, and bought it all up at my LYS with my Christmas 2004 gift certificate. The Tempting pattern called for this same yarn, and in my opinion, it was not a good match. The yarn is too heavy for the sweater – even after one wear, the yarn begin to droop and sag, being pulled down by its own weight! In retrospect, I should have used a cotton or a blend for this pattern. As you can see, the sweater is a huge mess. Ribbing is supposed to be slimming, no? (There was a ribbon that was used to "cinch it" through the eyelet holes up top, but even that could not save this sweater, unfortunately).
While ripping this one out, I fell in love with the Cashmerino Aran all over again. It is beautiful and soft, and while it does "fuzz" a little with wear, it is really a great yarn. The most important thing however, is finding a pattern to support it. I actually got a crazy notion in my head… this Cashmerino would make a really nice Hourglass sweater…
I am happy with my decision to rip these sweaters. Although they may not be knit up again anytime soon (who knows?) I am happier knowing that there are possibilities for them. Plus, since I have not purchased any yarn for the last three months, it kind of feels like a stash enhancement!
I will be meeting up with some friends at the yarn shop this afternoon for some knitting… wonder if I can keep the yarn diet strong… only one more week (officially) left! We'll see what happens!
A fantastic reason to rip out a sweater! You’ve lost weight and gained some yarn!
Lolly–what a great accomplishment. You are an inspiration!
WooHoo! You go skinny girl! That’s wonderful and I am truly inspired by you. Pilates machine/treadmill here I come. Thanks so much for your honesty and words of encouragement.
I am almost more impressed with your yarn diet than your actual diet. You have show remarkable restraint. While I know you had alot to choose from already (I have too much too and I don’t seem to be able to give any away) you still were so completely dedicated. I am somewhat in awe and a little envious of the freedome it must have allowed not always looking for what’s next on the must do must buy must knit (must be added to ever growing list of things I’ll never get to) list. Thanks again!
AmyDe
Wowza! Way to go Lolly! On the weight loss that is. You’re a real inspiration. And the ripping — while sad in a sense, I think you’re being very zen about being able to create something wonderful out of the yarn again.
Congratulations on ripping those sweaters! I know that usually sounds a little strange, but what a reason to “have” to rip!!! That is so great!!!
And I was being very good about not buying yarn on the Summer of Stash until two weeks ago, and now I’ve used up both my exceptions! But it was for great stuff, I swear!
congratulations on the weight loss and the reward of yarn (despite the loss of 2 sweaters….)
you know this may sound weird, but the other night I was thinking about your hourglass and how it probably didnt fit you anymore. strange, I know, but hey here you are posting about it! ripping the sweaters is like saying goodbye to ‘the old you’ for lack of a better phrase.
I hear you on losing cup sizes and around the shoulders but not the hips. I’m in the same position. You could have sent those sweaters to me, though. They would have fit me, I think.
Congrats on the weight loss regimen and all. You’re doing fabulous!
Congratulations! I can definitely see how it would feel like stash enhancement rather than loss of sweaters! You’ll just get two new sweaters that fit instead of two that no longer fit – a good trade, I’d say!
Wow, Lolly, how great for you! It must feel so good…I mean 3 months without yarn! (wink)…Did I tell you? You look maaavaaaalous!
Woo! (practically) new yarn and getting rid of sweaters that don’t fit anyway because you are a sexy beast. Yay! Those are beautiful yarns, though, and I hope you can put them back to good use.
congrats on your weight loss/yarn reclamation- that must feel FANTASTIC! you look mahvelous.
this is great motivation for me- just rejoined weight watchers for some accountabilitah.
keep up the great work!
You look great! Congratulations on the weight loss! Now you can make 2 new fabulous sweaters!
Hooray for recycling! and for the incredible weight loss. I meant to mention something but I’ve been really lax about making comments. You are looking marvelous.
Yea! Rock on, Lollly! Congrats on the weight loss. Can’t wait to see what you create with your ‘newfound’ stash!
Hey there beautiful and big congratulations on your weight loss and staying healthy. Guess what we just saw coming back from the Poconos a few days ago? We saw about eight tall windmills up on the mountain just like you were talking about in a previous post. It was an awesome sight to see. Here you were being so good sticking to not buying yarn all this time and now you get to break that while I am now trying to make as much as I can from my stash. LOL xo back at ya!
What an amazing and wonderful feeling! Clothes that no longer fit (in a serious non-fitting way) and great yarn back into the stash!
I lose weight exactly like you do – top down! My thighs and hips hold on to every last ounce though – Pilates helps.
Wow – you really can’t wear those at all anymore! good for you! You lost weight and gained more yarn – awesome.
What a great reason to rip out a couple of beautiful sweaters! And a great way to get some new yarns added to the stash without breaking your yarn diet. I don’t know how you did that for three whole months!
You look great Lolly!
Oh. my. goodness! I remember when you made both of those. I know you are proud of yourself. It’s was a good idea to rip those sweaters since you never plan to fit into them again. Now you can reward yourself with new sweaters.
way to go! recycle and reuse that gorgeous yarn!!
You are awesome! When I met you ( MS&W ’05) you were wearing Tempting
)
As sad as it is to rip, it’s a great inspiration to me to see how well you’ve done so that you actually have those tops swimming on you and have to make something smaller with the new/old yarn. Way to go!!!!
Now that’s the spirit when it comes to ripping! If you have to rip it, at least it’s for a very motivated and positive reason. Good for you!
And alpaca/silk blend? Be still my heart. Both yarns are such great colors too.
that must have felt SO great! you look fantastic and you’re really an inspiration to all of us stuck in ruts. and now you have so much more yarn!
Debbie and I have discussed how we’re going to rip our Temptings, too. I’m afraid to rip the first (and only) sweater I’ve ever made, but it’s just unwearable. hey! I finished the Odessa since you saw it Saturday. Night In + Knitting + Wine + Chick Flicks = One complete Odessa. I’ll show it off at the next comps meeting. Also, today is my very first day at the new gym…no more excuses!
Wow. I think I need to sit down. I feel faint…. Are you going to niddy noddy the yarn into hanks so you can soak it/hang it to get the kinks out?
I am so impressed – you really look fantastic – what a great job done! isn’t it something very liberating about ripping the sweaters like that – beautiful fiber – I am sure your hands will bring new magic to them!
The best way to do stash enhancement!!! How wonderful that those sweaters hang on you like that!!! That pink would look beautiful as an hourglass to show off your new hourglass!
Plus, it’s a pretty quick and satisfying knit!
You go girl!
Woot! Grats! Having the strength to lose the weight and rip the yarn is a remarkable thing. I hope you’re proud of yourself. Can’t wait to see what you’ll do with all that yarn!
Good for you! Reusing/recycling some gorgeous yarn is a beautiful thing indeed! And grats on the weight loss too! I’m down 18 pounds and a bunch of inches myself .. I’ll measure again next day or so and see, but it was 10+ last time, and I’ve been walking more.
Great job on the lost inches and pounds!
Knitwear is awesome for recycling and stash enhancement!
Wow! Excellent job on the weight loss congrats and also beautiful yarn. I started buying sweaters and ripping them out. Problem I have I never think to rip it out and directly start using the ball winder so I end up with a ton of knots.
congratulations on your weight loss! that’s fantastic – and as disappointing as it must be to frog the hours of work that went into the sweaters, it’s probably miniscule compared to the gratification of WHY you are frogging! how liberating! awesome.
Wow!
That is some great FROGGING news! Congratulations! You are looking fabulous!
That’s amazing! It’s always wonderful seeing your ‘old’ clothes with your ‘new’ body to really revitalize and encourage more weight loss! Way to go!!
What a fantastic reason to destroy clothing!!! I think frogging can be sad, but this is definitely the good kind of frogging! You really are looking great. Everytime I check your blog the first thing I notice is how completely thin and different your face looks! Congrats on the frog pond party.
look at you go! congratulations on your progress. you should absolutely re-purpose those yarns into some new and fun items! i love the cashmerino too – it’s an amazing yarn. fall is coming, so i’m sure you will come up with some great ideas for your ‘found’ yarn!
Wow! Look at your fantastic figure! You know, I think your old sweaters might fit me. If you ever feel like you just can’t rip something, feel free to send it my way!
I can’t think of a better reason to rip out a sweater! And then, to have more yarn to play with – it’s like a win-win!
Awesome Lolly! Great way to recycle, plus feel great about your progress! You are looking so good! Definately a fun frogging for sure!
Wow! So sad but yet hugely satisfying, I imagine. Well done!
You know, my first thought is that just sucks that you have to rip those sweaters that you spent all that time knitting. But then, losing weight is the one reason where you just might not mind so much. Congrats to you and all your success. Now go knit your self a sweater for your new figure!
sucks to rip out your sweaters, but wow! you’ve been doing so well with your exercise! i remember the green sweater and how nicely it fit before, now i can’t believe it’s the same sweater! Good job, you’re looking great!
At this point, ripping and possibly reknitting the sweaters is definitely not a worry, but a benefit. You’ve really done a great job with the weight loss. And now you get to reclaim more yarn. Knitting Tempting in a cotton yarn isn’t a good idea either as cotton loses its memory and has a tendency to bag out, unless you knit it tighter than what it calls for. A friend knit it in Cotton-Ease and it didn’t turn out so well later. My tempting was made otu of a ribbon yarn, which was really the wrong choice for Tempting as well. I plan to rip it out and reknit it into something else a bit later on.
I am so inspired by your awesome weight loss and creative use of your old sweaters! I am glad you can still use the great yarn for something new.
Keep up the great work!
-jody
Whew…I don’t know how you did it. Ripping always makes me uneasy! If it’s not being worn though, it really is a good idea. Besides, both of those colors look great on you and deserve to be knit in to a new great fitting garment!
What a great post Lolly! How invigorating to be able to visually see how dramatic your transformation is! Can’t wait to see what you make with all that new yarn!
[...] The "jury is still out" for me on KnitPicks. I have worked one line of their yarn, Andean Silk (for my dearly-departed Hourglass sweater) and I was impressed, but I have a nagging feeling that something is not quite right – how do they get their prices so low? I sincerely hope that they are abiding by fair trade practices in South America, where the majority of their yarn is made. Does anyone know more about this? Please share, if so… but I gotta give it to them for their recent Telemark ski sweater design. I think it is quite brilliant! [...]