Friday, April 5, 2013

Can a sweater knit itself?

Sometimes a sweater emerges from your needles with its own intentions.  A few weeks back when arranging my new craft space I was looking at  the best of knitscene, a book I have had for a while.  I saw this beautiful top down raglan sweater and thought I might give it a go.  It is the Equinox Raglan by Debbie O'Neill.  The funny thing is I do not look good in raglan sweaters, my shoulders are much too broad.  The neck to this sweater is very wide, I also do not look good in that style because once again my shoulders are much to broad.


This yarn jumped into my basket while I was making a quick trip to the yarn store.  I went for some roving for needle felting, not yarn.  But what was I supposed to do when the correct amount of yarn found its way into my basket.  I love gray, but you see this isn't really the gray for me.  This gray has undertones of beige in it, the gray that looks better on me has blue undertones.  


 I grabbed my needles and cast on.  I never checked the gauge, really what was I thinking?  I just cast on and got moving.  I knit and knit, I altered here and there, but I wasn't altering for my shape.  This sweater had different intentions.  I made it longer than the pattern, but not long enough for me.  I am 5' 10" tall, I have a long trunk and long legs, this would have had to be a couple inches longer for me.  I kept knitting away, stitch after stitch, row after row. 


This pattern was easy to understand and was a good knit for watching TV.  Do you watch The Voice?  I am addicted.  I love the bantering between the judges much more than I like the talent on the show. After hearing everyone's story I want every single contestant to be picked.


After I got done with the sweater I tried it on, of course it didn't fit.  I looked ridiculous.  It is not my size, style, shape, or color.  I had to laugh because it wasn't for me, and I knew that all along. 

  

I knew when I didn't check the gauge, I knew when I picked almost the right color for me, but not quite.  I knew when I realized in some weird universe that it was a raglan not a cardigan, sadly that took me a while to figure out.  I knew when I was knitting the 3/4 inch sleeves, another no no for my body type.  I knew all along but you see it just had to be knit.  So I sent the sweater on its way to the rightful owner this week.  I think she really likes it and it fits her like a glove.  Now if I could just get my blue Malabrigo sweater to start behaving.

This is finished project number 13 for me in 2013.  Along with this sweater, the scarves, the crochet flower wreath and Easter eggs I am now up to a whopping 5,694 yards of yarn used to crochet or knit this year. How are your projects coming along?

29 comments:

Plain Jane said...

In answer to your title - I wish it blooming well could! I've yet to finish a sweater so I think the fact that you've even made one deserves a huge round of applause, a gold medal and a bunch of roses. Very jealous of it's new owner - I think it looks lovely x Jane

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

The yarn is so pretty and it knit up very nicely.

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Meredith you are so funny!!! You are a determined one even if you know it may not work, but by gosh YOU will try!!!!! It really did turn out great and fast too. I think the recipient was one fortunate gal.
I'm still making bunnies, I'm hooked for now!
Have a sunny weekend, xoRobin

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh my goodness! You sure can knit! You're really racking up the projects! Now of course we all wondering who you sent the sweater to? I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead of you. We're relaxing today after being way too busy. We just cooked up 18 eggs to make egg salad sandwiches for lunch.. and of course, there will be some for tomorrow! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Anonymous said...

Sooooo pretty. Glad you found just the right person for it.

I'm doing pretty good on my stash busting! Another pair of socks will be off the needles soon. :-)

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Beautiful! I think the sweater is awesome.

I love that you listen to yarn and let it become want it wants to be.

Apparently my yarn is a bunch of loafers and only want to hang out and not become anything. You know my craft studio is it's own special kind of crazy.

Blessings always dear friend.

Lillie and Moss said...

You sure are a fast knitter. You made me laugh out loud how it all come together, I am sure the owner will love it! Good for you for sticking with it...I would have given up for sure once I knew it wouldn't fit me!!
Hugs, Shari

deebriese said...

Wow your my hero! Pretty sweater..Shame it does not fit you. :0(

JCDiTaranto said...

Such beautiful knitting! Someone was very, very fortunate to receive that beautiful sweater!

Betsy said...

I was grinning even as I read this. I very rarely knit sweaters for myself because they look just awful on me. Always they end up somewhere else and the new owner loves them.
Blessings,
Betsy

kathy b said...

Meredith

I love that you sent the sweater on its way. I LOVE the finished sweater..
I would have cried though I think if I had thought it was for me as I knit it.

Sweaters are a fussy bunch. I hardly ever knit them.
BUT raglans are my favorite due to NO finishing.
IM moving along nicely in my knitting in 2013 so far.
the Blanket at the years beginning was a big one so Ive
been content with little ones since.

Mrs. Micawber said...

I look pretty good in raglan sweaters. (Just in case another one happens to knit itself and you need to get rid of it.) :)

It's lovely - and how lucky the new owner is! Great post too.

Unknown said...

See the sweater knew that your friend needed it more then you did!! I bet she will so happy with it. Sometimes things just happen for a reason. OR in the back of your mind you were thinking about her when the yarn, pattern came around. What ever reason it worked out for both of you. Cool!

Tanna said...

Oh, someone was VERY lucky this sweater didn't fit you! LOL! Great piece. =)

I LOVE the Voice, especially with the new judges. ;) blessings ~ tanna

RURAL said...

It's lovely...and I love the soft shades of grey.

I bet the rightful owner as you put it, will be more then happy to have it.

Jen

Ladybird Diaries said...

That is beautiful, such a nice colour, it looks so soft.
M xxx

Petunia Pill said...

Someone will fit that sweater...and will be thrilled with it! You're funny...just stitching on, blithely knowing the cold, hard truth! The Voice? Oh girl! Don't get in my way on Mon or Tues evenings! So agree with you on the banter. I dare say, i like the two new judges better than the other two. That Shakira is too cute. I like that we can all focus in her cute personality rather than a set of ta-tas that scream "cover me!". LOL. Did i just write that? Oooops! The contestant stories are, indeed, engaging. So much talent there! Hugs, Annette

Babajeza said...

The sweater looks beautiful. So sad it doesn't suit you. I finished three items the last three days.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Well, I think it is absolutely fantastic that you knit, and knit, and knit and came up with something so beautiful. All is not wasted if it went to someone who appreciates it. Have a great weekend. Tammy

* said...

Great sweater! How lovely for your friend. Some things just belong to someone else don't they? I know I've made things that I fancied but somehow, they weren't mine really when I finished them.

Suzan said...

Interesting how the colors blend together and make waves of the same color - only to fade into the next color!! It's really lovely!!

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

You are so talented when it comes to the knitting or crocheting of garments Meredith! I am sure the recipient is going to love it! You must really knit fast, girl! I like crochetig more than knitting because it take me forever to knit where crocheting is much faster and I feel I am accomplishing something. It's been a busy week here....my bathroom remodel is finished and I am so relieved not have workers in my house! Weather is beautiful up here this weekend! xo, Patti

linda said...

I never knit for myself because I know they won't fit me and to be honest I don't have the patience, well done for keeping at it until it was done, it's a lovely sweater and I'm sure the recipient will love it. :)

Handmade and off-centered said...

Oh wow you had me laughing. Very funny post and Im glad the sweater got a new home.

Thanks for your stopping by my space. I love connecting with fellow "handmade-ers"

Birgitta

Claudia said...

Post coming up tomorrow! You know what I mean.

xo
Claudia

Between Me and You said...

You're the Queen of Knitting in my book, Meredith. What a fabulous jumper (that's what we call 'sweaters' over here)and I particularly love the colourway. Very nice indeedy. x

Taci simmons said...

Wow you are good my dear friend! I have been trying to knit a sweater for a couple of months...I always get distracted by millions of other projects. . . But now you really got me motivated. I'm working on a scarf and I have been tryingto finish some projects. But I think tomorrow I must go back to my sweater and finish it...who knows if it will fit... But as you said... It must get knitted! :)

Cranberry Morning said...

I so enjoyed this story! Sent here by your sister, who blogged about the sweater gift today. :-)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Beautiful sweater sent to your beautiful sister! Love this story!!