I have learned that the process of knitting does not end when a garment is bound off the needles and put in a drawer. What is more important than how your knitted garment wears? We all want our knits to last the test of time, but does that really happen? All of the work that goes into knitting an item only for it to be relegated to the back of your closet? This kind of information needs to be shared in the knitting community–there is great worth in telling your fellow knitters how a pattern shapes up after a few outings, as well as how the yarn washes and wears on a daily basis.
Purly did it last week. Lolly does it this week. Who is next week?
I encourage you to let your fellow knitters know!!
(Compliments to Rachael for "inventing" this fun finished knit pose)
Rhapsody in Blue was completed this past summer while I was at the beach. I have worn it about three or four times, and initially was very happy with how it turned out. I liked the wide boatneck and the bell sleeves. However, with each wear, I found it stretching width-wise. I washed and reblocked, and it was good again. I am concerned that it will stretch out width-wise again, and I guess I will just repeat the blocking process. Have others had this problem with Cotton Ease? Do you always have to reblock?
The yarn itself looks as good as it did the day I finished. No pilling, no fading, and no stray fibers sticking out from the woven ends. I had a few problems in the beginning (pictures in this May entry) with the way the reverse side looked–it could only be described as "wonky". However, these patches have smoothed out very well with the washing. I continue to be very happy with this yarn–I think it is my favorite yarn I have ever used–and sure enough, it is discontined now! However, I do have a little reserve in the ol’ stash–at least enough for two more garments and an accessory or two 
VERDICT: Love it — even if it takes a little more maintainence to reblock it!
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This is Tempting, from Knitty.com. I completed this sweater in the beginning of May after a few problems with the pattern. However, once I got it down, I was pretty pleased with the result. I was determined to show that even if this sweater was designed for smaller girls, I could wear it too. The yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. It was really wonderful to work with while I was knitting this garment. However, I really am not very pleased with how it has worn. I have worn this garment only twice in public. I am not entirely sure how the off-the-shoulder look would go over at the office, or at a Catholic school… So, I wore it to a festival last spring, and have worn it to dinner once. After only one wear, I began to notice fuzziness and the beginnings of pills on the sides of the sweater. |
I picked some pills off, but more appeared almost immediately.
It may be hard to make out in the photo–but they are there, trust me.
The other major problem with this knit is how much it has stretched. The yarn is quite heavy in the knitted fabric–and in my opinion, may not be the right weight for this particular project (although that is what the pattern calls for) The stretching has caused this figure-shaping feminine sweater to look boxy and droopy… and that is not flattering at all.
Plus, I am not happy with the sleeves. I would make them longer–they are a weird lengh–either a cap sleeve, or a 3/4 sleeve would be a better fit for this garment. Another mishap, entirely my own fault, is the hole in the sleeve–this happened when I slipped it over my head, and the yarn got caught on a piece of jewelry.
All of these factors make me like this sweater less and less. I am willing to give the yarn "another life" in a new garment if I can reduce the pilling. (It is such a great color!) Any ideas? Has anyone made a garment with Cashmerino Aran and LOVED it? Please tell. In the meantime, I am thinking of another garment that this yarn is better suited for–Tempting was a fun knit, but if I ever did it again, I would choose a different fiber, and knit a size (or two) smaller.
VERDICT: This one will be swimming in the frog pond shortly.
Yesterday, I celebrated my 25th birthday. I guess it was not so much of a celebration as it was more of an observance… The high point of the day was definitely a nice lunch with my mom at our favorite French cafe. Unfortunately, I had to cut the afternoon short because I was getting some major cold symptoms–but I had to get to class that night to turn in a paper. A nap and some medicine helped me through the rest of the evening, but I sure was ready to hit the sack once I got home…
We did get the chance to have a little fun on the weekend before the school and work schedules started up again. We met my parents on Sunday for an early birthday dinner at a favorite Mexican place.
When it is your birthday, you get to wear a sombrero.
A big thank you for the lovely cards and birthday wishes that filled my inbox! This community is full of amazing people!
You know what I want for my birthday? I want YOU to place a pin in my KnitBlogger Geography map! This is a new project that I heard about through Bonne Marie. Other knitters have maps too–make sure to sign theirs as well!
I had a great time compiling the pomegranate post. Thank you for your interest and comments on it! I so enjoyed seeing your experiences with pomegranates, as well as your stories of your own personal treasures. Cathi shared her extensive city mug collection and some information about her travels past and future, and Cathy shared her adorable panda collection and more information on how to help these endangered animals.
If you share information about your own collection in a blog entry, I would love to know about it!
Socktoberfest news will be in the next entry, so stay tuned!
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 guess these kind of things are out of everyone’s control…
