Monday, June 18, 2007

Here she is!

Miss Alexandra is finished, just in time for...90 degree weather. ;) Here she is reclining on the sofa, in her unblocked (and more true to color) state:



And finished:



DETAILS

Pattern: Alexandra Ballerina Top, from Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits

Size: 38", but FK patterns run large! My gauge was small, so this worked out perfectly.

Yarn: RYC Soft Tweed in Kingfisher, 8 balls

Needles: US 10.5

Time: TEN DAYS!!!

Thoughts, Mods, and Lessons Learned:

I didn't want a "cropped" look, so I used just about every last bit of yarn on the length. But after final blocking, I discovered that it was too long, so I had to rip back and shorten it. I'm pleased with the final length.

My best discovery during this knit was the miracle of back darts, now my most favorite shaping tool. I'm very short-waisted, so I'm a little leery of waist shaping, as it can exaggerate my squashed torso. However, the darts created a sleek, unfussy, and flattering fit -- woohoo!

I went back and forth on the yarn as I was knitting, but now that I'm finished, I'm glad I used it. RYC Soft Tweed isn't plied -- it's most like one felted-looking strand -- so I wasn't sure if it was the most suitable thing for cables. But once I blocked and shaped the cables, everything looked much better. The best thing the yarn's got going for it is the content: 56% Wool/20% Viscose/14% Polyamide/10% Silk. It's soft and cozy without being suffocatingly heavy and hot.

This is my third adult sweater, and it's definitely a keeper. :)

8 comments:

Lyndsey-Jane said...

The sweater look fab! The photo in the book doesn't do it justice. I have been undecided about this top but after seeing yours I am a convert.

Anonymous said...

I love the sweater! I am working on this one as well (just separated the sleeves) and I found your comment really helpful about the back darts as I am really short waisted myself. Thanks!

Michelle B said...

Still loving your sweater. I think I'm going to go order yarn from Webs. I'm between King fisher and and loganberry. Can't beat the price!!

goodkarma said...

What a lovely sweater. I love that yarn, as I've already told you! And it looks so much better than I imagined... I wasn't sure how such a chunky gauge would work. Now I really want to try back darts; I'm a short torsoed girl, too.

Axelle said...

I *adore* this sweater on you - you look fabulous!

(And hurray! You have a blog! I must have been living under a rock for a LONG time - how could I have missed this!)

Anonymous said...

A keeper is right. It is a fab sweater that looks great on you.

Anonymous said...

Your sweater looks terrific! I like it so much better in a solid color - I wasn't sure about it in the book, but now it is on my 'to make' list for sure. great job! :)

Anonymous said...

Could you tell me how many balls of the RYC Soft Tweed you used for this? Thanks! :)