my Gray Day Pullover ....,
my Diagonal Pullover .....,
and the irresistible Little Coffee Bean cardigan ....
For the astute knitter with a keen eye, you know what these four WIPs have in common. I love raglan, top-down, and seamless garments. Usually knit in one piece, I don't have to worry about seams or set-in sleeves or picking up stitches. Here is where monogamy starts to be too comfortable. Now that I've finished my first Jump for Fall challenge (my Westwood Blouse) and am happily knitting along on these other projects, I want to take my knitting to the next level.
You may remember my epic fail with set-in sleeves last spring. I'll admit that experience was painful and has made me shy away from cardigans and sweaters with seams. But, dear friends, I think I'm ready to get back on the (knitted) horse and now turn to you for advice and suggestions.
If you have a favorite, well-written pattern for a cardigan or pullover with set-in sleeves, I would love to hear about it. I'm willing ... and maybe just a wee bit able.
Oh, and for those you who asked, here I am wearing my new sweater!
What an absolutely ravishing look for you...that red is awesome! Though I have not forayed into sweaters yet...and cannot give a recommendation, may I say what a wonderful new set of sweaters you are now working on! I'm really looking forward to seeing how the Diagonal Sweater turns out, what a fabulous shade! Your fall wardrobe is shaping up quite nicely and what a great job on it! Good luck with the rest!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for knitting out of your comfort zone! You are an amazing knitter, you will do just fine :)
ReplyDeleteYay for seeing YOU in your sweater!! I LOVE it with those green pants too! It really looks fantastic on you!
ReplyDeleteUhm, I wish I could recommend something but eehhh... Blush! I have three sweaters (raglan, top down, seamless...) as a wip and somehow they all miss a sleeve, like for mooooooonths.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should give me some advice on how to finish my first wearable project. All I ever finish are shawls and socks! :D
The sweater looks great on you!!! ♥
And you look GREAT !
ReplyDeleteYour sweater looks wonderful on you! Good luck with your challenge. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have a pattern suggestion because I never make garments, but I completely applaud the fact that you've waited a bit to build your confidence up and are now ready for the next knitting challenge! All of your WIPs look great, and I love your FO! It fits very nicely.
ReplyDeleteHave you considered set-in sleeves using the top-down method?
ReplyDeleteYou might want to check out Ann Budd's book, Top-Down Sweaters. It includes several sweater patterns with set-in sleeves along with handy data tables, if you prefer to design your own.
Just a thought. (Personally, I dread seaming and assembly, so I avoid both whenever possible.)
Ah that sweater looks fantastic on you, especially the color, wow! Now, I love seamless, top-down constructed designs, I think they will always be my favorite because those are the type of designs I have the best results with. However, I think that you can do whatever you set your mind to, go for the seamed designs, you can do it!
ReplyDeleteThat sweater looks fantastic on you. The colour is perfect.
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, partial to top down, seamless sweaters. As I've never finished one for myself, I applaud you, but don't have any suggestions to offer as I've yet to try one myself! But I know you can do it.
Good job on the Westwood Blouse! Your question about set-in sleeves is interesting. I remember my own experiences when I first knit sleeves, and I often had to try several times before I got the sleeves to fit properly during the sewing in stage. My trick now is to use a removable clip to join the middle of the sleeve to the shoulder line so that you have exactly half the sleeve cap on each side of the armhole. I also often sew in from the top of the cap down towards the armhole - it's easier to fudge a small difference in length there than having unintentional ruching at the cap! Another trick I favour is to fit in the sleeve before I do the side seams. This pattern (http://ravel.me/KiwiPurler/ym31) is a nice set-in sleeve. This one is nice and easy too: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rosemarys-middle-sized-sweater Don't know if they are your style or not?
ReplyDeleteThe new sweater is so beautiful, I love all of your wips. I can't wait until I finally reach the point where I only have a few wips started. :] Your post is so motivating!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteI suggest the Central Park Hoodie. It's so lovable and wearable you'll force yourself to take care while seaming.
It looks great! And good luck with the set-in sleeves. I love my Livingstone and Girl Friday Cardigans, and they both have set-in sleeves, and they certainly weren't boring!
ReplyDeleteI love set in sleeves! And even though I know most knitters favour knitting without seams, I feel that it actually gives a garment great structure, prevents bagging, and looks more professional. I highly recommend Thermal- it's a great free pattern, timeless texture, perfect set in sleeves. I recommend 3 needle bind offs for shoulder seams, it looks flawless. Plus it's in the round, so minimal seaming if it's really putting you off- only the shoulders and sleeves need to be seamed.
ReplyDeleteLove that sweater on you..that color works perfectly.
ReplyDeleteNow, being a non-monogamous knitter , I cheer you for your four projects! hehe. Each one more brilliant than the next!
Fantastic ! ! ! Super color, perfect fit.
ReplyDeletehugs
Yipes...it seems like not too long ago you were knitting your first sweaters! These are all going to be stunning.
ReplyDeleteI love all of your sweaters! I think I will start out with an easy seamless sweater first, or do you think I should start with the hardest first? So that everything else seems so much easier? lol
ReplyDeleteYou really have nice projects on the needles! Beautiful new sweater!
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