Just for kicks, let's start with yarn 1: the worsted weight:
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| Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran |
Y'all may know that I really have a thing for Debbie Bliss yarn. I love its hand. It's springy, soft and it knits a beautiful stitch with lovely tension. But it's not perfect. Depending on the weight, it has been known to split while knitting and, egad, does this shit GROW. I'm half inclined to knit the smallest size humanly possible for every project for which I use Debbie Bliss yarns. Some weights and blends of this yarn grow more than others. But they all stretch excessively, in my experience. So be prepared.
It's a mark of the great features of this yarn that I can't stop myself from buying it and figuring out work-arounds.
It's not so much a worsted as an aran, of slightly thicker gauge than your average mid-weight. That's to say that it knits up at 18 stitches per 4 inches vs 20 stitches per 4 inches. But I tend to knit loosely so 18 easily turns into 20. I'm going to call it a worsted for the purposes of whatever I choose to make with it, though I really would do best to consider the slightly-heavier-than-worsted weight of the yarn I've purchased.
Which brings me to part 2 of this exercise: the part where you get to provide your excellent feedback!
Here are the worsted / aran weight patterns I have favourited in Ravelry. Note: I've cross-referenced them with all of my book patterns so I've considered all of them (Other note: My link feature in Blogger appears to be totally screwed tonight, so pls. check out my Favourites in Ravelry for details on all of these. I will link in this post when things go back to normal):
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| Betty MiniSweater |
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| Asymmetrical Cabled Cardigan as modeled on the lovely Katy |
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| Bright Star |
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| The Inaugural Sweater |
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| Inversion Cardigan |
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| Mrs. Darcy Cardigan |
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| Georgina Cardigan |
They're all cardigans of some description. That's because I always need a little sweater that can double as a jacket. No matter how many I buy or make, it's simply not enough!
Now, I've considered the feasibility of these against my shape. Some, IMO, are better than others. But they all seem workable, so I'm putting it to you.
In light of the colour, the weight of yarn, the drape (if you're familiar with this yarn) and the info I've provided in the previous post / what you know of my style, which of these do you like best for me. Conversely, feel free to tell me which you think would be least flattering. If you prefer another sweater altogether, please point me to it - I wanna see!
PS: I realize this post may seem self-involved, but I ask these questions in the interests of provoking your thoughts and feedback about the planning elements that work together to yield, theoretically, a successful finished product. It's not risk-laden to consider these matters on behalf of someone else, especially if this is a new approach to your knitting (or sewing, for that matter). And, of course, I welcome your valued input! So please, weigh in!
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I think the Inaugural Sweater is the favorite for me. I think it looks fabulous in that red of the project picture, but I think the grey color you chose would make it very elegant while still being wearable for more mundane things. Of course, you could fit all the "style" I possess in a thimble and have room to spare, so take that with a grain of salt. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou appear to be on the pulse with your suggestion! And thanks for your feedback.
DeleteOnes I like (in theory on you, but also with my taste superimposed over what I imagine your taste: bright star , inaugral sweater (really like this one!), mrs darcy cardigan, georgina cardigan.
ReplyDeleteOnes I don't like: Betty Minisweater (a bit shapeless and boxy), asymmetrical cabled cardigan (cold chest and stomach!), inversion cardigan (too baggy, could be overwhelming)
Oooh, excellent feedback. I agree!
DeleteI like the Inaugural Sweater and the Inversion Cardigan. I would say to avoid the Georgina Cardigan for this yarn as it's very drapey and drops quite a bit. This is the voice of experience!!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for that feedback Evie! I think you've helped me to determine that the Georgina is not for me, at least with this yarn.
DeleteI loveeee the Inaugural sweater & the Georgina cardigan. Both of those would look really good in that yarn color.
ReplyDeleteThe only one I don't like is that Asymmetrical Cabled cardigan... mostly because I like keeping my cardis closed, so that would drive me nuts. And I'm not sure how flattering something like that would look on someone with a bust.
You're not the only one who feels that way about the Asymmetrical. And I do agree with you about the fit with a bust. Note, however, that Katy (who's modeling her gorgeous version) is quite well-endowed.
DeleteI think it just comes down to how you like to wear things - I wear cardigans almost daily and I almost always wear them hanging open. It's likely that this started simply because I do have a large bust and therefore had trouble finding cardigans that would close without major button-band gaping issues. But over time it's just become the way I like to wear them. (Either for comfort or to show off what I'm wearing underneath, depending.) But I will say that, if you don't mind a loose-fitting silhouette, I do find it's actually quite flattering - even minimizing, in a good way. That being said, Kristin - I'm not sure if loose-fitting is your thing? Y/N?
DeleteLoose fitting can work when it's very intentional. And as long as it fits well in the shoulders. What's great about this sweater on you is how well it fits in the shoulders. Oooh, just noticed (?!) that this thing has short sleeves. How did I never see that before?
DeleteI vote for the Inaugural sweater. I like the Georgina cardigan, but I think it might be better in a thinner yarn. I think the Mrs. Darcy might work, as well. I'm having a hard time with that one because I really don't like the color of the example. Isn't it funny how the color may turn one off a perfectly good design? Can't wait to see what you pick.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that attracted me to the Darcy was the colour. Funny!
DeleteThe Inaugural Sweater, Mrs. Darcy Cardigan, and the Georgina Cardigan (in that order) would look great in the grey and, I think, fill your requirements.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann. That Inaugural really is getting a lot of votes :-)
DeleteIt's your blog, be as self involved as you want.
ReplyDeleteI'm with all those before me, I love the Inaugural sweater. I was thinking cute, cute, cute, oh... my.... So I like all for one reason or another but I really like Inaugural. Georgina is my second favourite. Keep in mind I know nothing about the wool weight/guage etc so don't listen to me over Evie who seems to know Georgina won't work.
Inversion is nice, but I don't think it's your style. Not to say it wouldn't look good, but there is nothing fitted about that. Once done, would you still reach for it or opt for something else in your closet instead?
Ha! OK, duly noted! I think I'm going to listen to Evie about the Georgina. She knows from knitting. And I agree that the Inversion is not my style. Really, it's an outlier. I put it in there a)cuz I recently blogged about it and b) it's quite different from the others and I wanted to see if it would get any uptake.
DeleteA cute collection, but I LOVE the Inaugural (sharpest of the lot IMHO). BUT I think the Inversion sweater is better in concept than in fact. The sleeves end and the opening starts right above the bust, making the wearer look widest there and then there is no shaping at the waist. I'm not convinced it would be a friend to a busty gal. Hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteFor sure - although there are 2 ways to wear it, and the arm opening starts at a better spot on the other way. The goal for this cardi would be to have a kind of shawl with arms - kind of elegant/disheveled. Mind you, the lack of shaping on this totally concerns me. Secretly, this is not going to be the one I make (never was), but it is a really interesting garment that appeals to me and I love the feedback to help me crystallize why I should or shouldn't pursue it!
DeleteLots of Inaugural love, but that's a nice collar on the Bright Star. Only qualms I would have about that one would be where the patterning ends versus the bust, plus total body length. But those are both things that are easily customized.
ReplyDeleteThe bright star is not exciting, but I think it would have a lot of practical application in one's wardrobe. And I would alter its proportions to suit me - but that's a very good point to make, esp. with a short cardigan.
DeleteI enjoy all your choices. I think my favourite is The Inaugural Sweater, and I think the form-fitting style would suit you. You'd just have to be careful about the fit over the bust and the placement of the buttons. The Mrs. Darcy is a lovely pattern, and forgiving with the bust fit seeing as it's such a low V, but it's a little plain to be spending so much time knitting (meaning: it looks very similar to cardigans offered in stores). My gut tells me that the reason you're attracted to the Inversion is because it's the most modern/fashion-forward of all of your selections, but I agree with Seraphinalina that it doesn't strike me as your usual style (being so loose)... but that's not to say that your taste/style can't evolve if that sweater is really calling to you! (I think you could totally rock it.) Georgina is also beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think my least favourite pattern is the Betty - I find that length difficult to wear as a large-busted woman (and short-waisted - although at the moment I can't remember if you are also short-waisted?) unless I'm wearing something quite long underneath to counterbalance it (which I totally would - but again, not sure if that's your thing?). I also think that the thick textured pattern would make it the most likely to look homemade and thus leave you feeling dissatisfied (a quick look through the finished projects on Ravelry might illustrate this thought). I'm also not terribly keen on the Bright Star, for similar length reasons but also due to the placement of the seam right across the bust apex... I realize it's purposeful but to me it just looks like an ill-fitting empire seam.
As for the asymmetrical, it's tricky - I don't find it fits toooo loose but not sure if it would be too loose for you? I find the raglan shoulders and the open fit actually quite flattering on my shape (proportional shoulders, large bust). For what it's worth, after taking these photos I added a hidden button underneath and further down so it doesn't hang quite as far open as it did here. To me, it's a nice in-between-seasons cardigan... cool enough for a bit of wool, but warm enough for short sleeves and an open fit. (I never feel particularly cold due to it hanging open.) But as far as style goes, it's definitely not at all vintage or terribly modern... and you usually seem inclined to make things that lean toward one or the other?
I agree about the positioning of the buttons on the Inaugural. And you're right about the Darcy - it is a bit duplicable. I love the earthy edginess of the Inversion but I suspect that it will not flatter as much as some of the others. Or maybe it would in a dark, very soft yarn if I were to ensure it didn't completely overwhelm my frame.
DeleteIt's a testimony to the great job you did on the Asymmetrical that I can't stop thinking about making it, but I'm not sure that it would suit me as well as it does you. I sense you are a bit taller than me.
How tall are you? I'm 5'6". (I believe I added a bit of length on this.)
DeleteThat's what I thought. I'm 5'3" - though I seem taller, so everyone tells me. I'm frequently asked if I'm 5'6" (which thrills me!). Point is, my short waist is that much shorter and my breasts that much more prominent on my frame.
DeleteWell the inaugural is my favorite too, I like the bright star but can't fugure out how it's meant to fit. If the ribbing is meant to hug the rib cage, where the heck does the bust go? (If it's not up by the collarbone that is.) I think the betty is cute too, except for the sleeve length which seems a little cutesie. The stitch might work well to control a too-stretchy yarn. Elle
ReplyDeleteI hear you about the bright star. It's weird where the ribbing stops (not that I couldn't alter it, presumably).
Delete