A big improvement over the last time I disassembled a sweater is that I have a head-lamp now. Which made it a whole lot easier to see which was the sewing thread and which was the yarn. I was hoping this would allow me to get longer pieces of yarn than before...
but it turns out that it didn't matter. Because the whole thing was steeked! So all of my balls of yarn are going to be short. *angry face*
At least the yarn is in good condition and the bag of tiny balls looks really pretty. See how I am looking at the bright side? Besides, weaving in ends is a pretty fun conversation starter for airplane rides. ;-)
Although I'm also kinda of thinking about the Russian Join that Its_Lily suggested a while back. It seems like this might result in a better finished fabric.
Meanwhile, my top choices for the New Awesome Sweater are:
81-14 Pullover by Drops Design - I like the shape of this one, but it may just be the model and a creative placement of color.
22-23-16 Striped Pullover by Pierrot - I really, really like this one, except it's written in Japanese and I don't read Japanese. :-(
Honey by Amy Miller - I like that this is top-down with raglan sleeves but I do not like the pockets.
Pipit by Heidi Kirrmaier - this looks to be of simple construction with the design elements built into the structure. This one is probably the leading contender right now.I hope you all are having a great Fiber Arts Friday. . ;-)
Be sure to check in with everyone else over at Wisdom Begins in Wonder and have a Happy Easter!
20 comments:
Bummer about all the short strands - I always dread weaving in ends, yet love stripes :)
I love Honey - you could probably eliminate the pockets pretty easily.
HAHA...all those balls of yarn do look quite pretty. Nice home decorator touch pretty.
@Kate - I agree... and without the pockets, this sweater is pretty high on the list.
@MarmePurl - Ha, they probably would look cool tossed in a special jar on the mantel. ;-)
The second or third one are my favs from the four. I'm sure you'll choose the perfect one when you do decide. Sometimes they have to swim around in your head for a while first :-)
BTW, do you have a water-friendly niddy noddy? That can be really helpful to get the kinks out because you can soak the yarn while on it or steam it. I built mine from PVC and made the central stem in pieces so I could make it be different sizes 1-yd, 1.5-yd and 2-yd. If you want to borrow it let me know.
Yup, had to do a definition search on steek (apparently not the first time either, my computer remembers!). I think you are awesome for ripping out and redoing the sweater. I can't wait to see what you make!
I love the shoulder/sleeve design on Pipit, no weird/bulky arm hole seaming to fuss with. And the open/loose bottom vs. ribbed, very nice. I started keeping a pair of magnifier glasses in my knitting bag for unknitting/picking up stitches etc, maybe used in combination with your light, you will become the super hero of sweater remaking! I need one of those lamps...off to google it!
Frogging a steeked sweater - you are brave, brave, braver than I.
If you really like the Pierrot sweater, go for it. I don't read Japanese and have made a few Pierrot patterns without a problem. All of them are fully charted (and the charts are well-done), and with a Japanese/American links as guides, you can figure out the pattern with no problem.
I'll pm you on Rav with the resources I used to decode Japanese patterns. Then you'll have a whole new world of patterns open to you.
The 8-14 is my favorite, but hey, is the yarn such that you could join the colors that are the same before you knit? Sometimes I have successfully separated the ply (plies?) of two ends and let them wrap around each other, helping out by rubbing the new combined yarn between my wet palms. Does that make sense?
Spit splicing does not sound nice, but here's a description:
http://morcatknits.typepad.com/spitsplicing/2005/03/or_how_to_join_.html
@Melissa - my headlamp is similar to this one http://www.rei.com/product/825732/black-diamond-gizmo-headlamp
@VdV - Wow! Thanks. I will definitely check out your links. And had I realized it was steeked before I was nearly done ripping it apart, I may not have started.
@Anna - yea, spit splice doesn't sound nice but it does work well. I'm not certain this yarn will felt, so I might have to give it a try.
I like the construction of the last one, you can be very creative with the colors too.
I can read the Japanese pattern for the most part, so if you decide to go with that I'll be happy to help. Like Denise said, there are a lot of non-Japanese using Japanese patterns now, so there is a big community to turn to if you need.
Yeah, ripping out a steeked sweater, you are brave!
@Vivian - between you and VdV, I think the Japanese pattern just moved to the top of my list. :-)
The Russian join is fantastic, much better than sewing in ends.
Pipit is my favorite of the choices. It looks like it will be nice on any body style.
Darn with all that short yarn. I don't know if I would have the patience to knit with it or unravel. I LOVE that you do...you are inspiring me to be more patient.
My choice would be Honey or Pipit. They look like they would fit you nicely. Good luck!
Have you ever tried a braided join? I have recently been turned on to it and have found it to be easy and secure.
Oh my ... it was *steeked?* Did NOT see that coming!!
I can't wait to see what you do ... your patience amazes me!
Hmmmm...tiny balls! that will be a lot of weaving in! I think my fave of the contenders has to be Honey - I rather like the pockets and the shaping and thin stripes are lovely :) Might have to do this for myself one day!
@Dina - I haven't heard of a Braided Join. Will check that out.
@Spinster Beth - Yes, Steeked!! I didn't see it coming either. Grrr
Hi from New Zealand, thanks for stopping by my blog, Cheers Marie
I love that you are re-using the wool. I have one that I have been thinking about ripping apart for a while. Maybe I'll make that a summer project.....
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