Gauge the Situation: Worsted Project Complete

Without much fanfare I have finished the Inaugural Sweater. In truth, and certainly not because it isn't lovely, this sweater really isn't for me.

Let's start with a few pics (note: it looks better on me, but not much):

The collar is its nicest feature, IMO.

While it isn't incredibly noticeable in real life, see how the stitches in the middle of the photo are thicker? That's because I had to switch skeins half way through a row (I was really worried about running out of yarn - a foundless concern, as it happens, since I still have 80 per cent of the last skein). I learned this last time I used Debbie Bliss cashmerino yarn - weaving two skeins together is not seamless as it is with may other firmer wools.

Here's the full thing. It's supposed to open at the bottom, as it does, but I haven't hemmed it yet and may choose not to. Why? It's a really short sweater. I could go back and unknit the bottom 8 rows, add an inch on, and redo the hemming (that bit below the main moss stitch pattern) but it actually looks kind of interesting in real life unhemmed (if not in this photo). The bottom doesn't curl at all, though it seems to in this shot.  Also, hate to point this out, cuz it isn't so noticeable when worn, but the concealed snap over the left breast is showing through, slightly, because the moss stitch isn't firm enough to hide it. I've resewn it twice. I think the only thing that would mitigate this is a button band.

See how shapeless it is in the waist? I really should have started the decreases much higher up. And been more extreme with them. You can't see the side decreases well in this shot but you can see the left back decreases at the bottom 1/3 of the sweater.

The good news is that I think it's going to be just the kind of thing my mother will love for Xmas.

Other good news is that I'm sure I could fix this "wearable muslin" so that, in the next version, I'd correct the challenges by:

• Using a yarn with less drape and more structure - like the Cascade 220. I sense this is key with this sweater.
• Making sure that the below bust side decreases start as soon as possible.
• Making sure the back decreases start 2 inches higher.
• Making the sweater 2 inches longer.
• Machine stitching the buttonholes on a hand-inserted button band - I'm convinced this is the only way to make a hand knit sweater sturdy.
• Getting to 40 stitches in the arm by just below the bicep (that means I'd have to cut 20 stitches out of this thing in the top 3 inches of the sleeve). As it is, I had to keep ad hoc decreasing - including two decrease rows in the moss stitch on the sleeve. That really didn't improve how the pattern lies, though it's not observable at the seam (which is at the under-forearm).

Alas, I don't think I'm going to make it again. I just don't love it on me. Its issue, from my perspective is that it's just too much sweater. I don't wear anything this bulky. In fact, I wear cashmere deliberately to get the required warmth from the minimal amount of bulk. Moreover, it looks just a bit too hand knit for my liking, which I blame mainly on my choice of yarn, but also on the gauge.

Please do not misunderstand. I think this is a sweater with MUCH to recommend itself:

• Clear instructions
• Easy pattern
• Chic shape
• Useful in many kinds of cold weather
• Lovely details

It just doesn't work for me.

Next, I'm moving on to the Siivet Pullover, the sweater y'all recommended for the sport weight Gauge the Situation project. Not fast, mind you, but next.

I'm curious to know your thoughts about this garment. Have you made it? Do you like it?

Gauge The Situation: Yarn 2 and What to Knit With It

Fear not, I haven't abandoned the first sweater (a freebie extra in the Gauge the Situation series). Or the second - aka the original pick - sweater (construction of which hasn't even started yet).

Sidebar: The Chuck sweater is coming along but I struggled valiantly to establish the centre panel cable pattern. Many thanks to Andi, who answered lots of questions and to Frances, who finally chipped through my substantive mental block. While all cables look the same to me (I know, sacrilege), Frances (who's been knitting for years) told me that the wider cables - the ones that meander sideways - are actually more challenging than the impressive-looking vertical twist cables. I will write more about where I'm at with the Chuck in another post, but here's a little eye candy:

Today, as it's gross outside and I'm feeling all blah, it is my prerogative to introduce you to another yarn and some potential patterns to gain your feedback about which project - as part of the Gauge the Situation series - I should make after the worsted ones. What can I say, I'm in the mood to daydream. Of course, it may be deep winter by the time I get to the sweater in the next gauge, but I have to begin my planning!

As we know, we've covered off worsted yarn with the Chuck and Inaugural sweaters. That leaves DK, sport and fingering gauges (in order of decreasing girth).

For kicks, let's look at my sport-weight yarn:

Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, Midnight Blue

See a theme here? It's blue, but different blue! It bears only a passing resemblance to the shark-colour I'm using to make the Chuck sweater. No question, I'm not going to win points for going crazy with colour. And the omnipresence of Debbie Bliss yarn in my stash may endow my many projects with a certain kind of sameness of hand. But I choose to look at this as a cohesion strategy.

After all, each garment is inherently its own thing.

Here are the sport-weight sweaters I'm considering:

Sallysong's version of the Jen Sweater - I have a sweater like this that I wear constantly...

Siivet Pullover

Saashka's version of the Jewel Cardigan - I don't know if I'll be able to source this pattern. If anyone knows how to find it for less than 90 bucks, pls. advise...

When Sampson Met Lila Pullover

So please, tell me which of these you like best for me and why. Which don't appeal? Have you made any of these garments? Is yes, how did it work out?

Thank you so much for feedback!