I decided, after screwing up the fit on my Grannie Smith cardigan, that I need to change my plan about what to knit next. One of the reasons I was annoyed with myself is that I had resolved this year only to make fabulously-fitting garments for myself. So far, my main way of improving the fit of a top has been to add extra increases at the sides – this does add width to the fabric, but not exactly where it’s most needed. I need to get to grips with short row darts.
The Leafy Cardigan that I was going to make next is probably not the best project on which to try out this technique. I know it’s possible to add short rows to a lace pattern, but starting on something a bit simpler seems more sensible.
So, pre-empting Amanda’s advice yesterday to fix the knitting pain with more yarn(!) I took myself off to John Lewis on Oxford Street at lunchtime today. I got some cute (and lightweight) buttons for ole’ Gran Smith, and I also got me some of this:
Debbie Bliss Prima. It’s 80% bamboo and 20% merino, is a very soft cream colour and has a subtle sheen to it. I’m going to make the Eyelet Chemise from Interweave knits that I was thinking about recently. I think it will look lovely in this yarn, and will be an ideal project with which to experiment with short-row darts.
And Grannie Smith? Well, I do have a plan for her. I’m going to add the sleeves on tomorrow and remove the heavy glass buttons. After that she is going to have a rest for a couple of weeks while I do something nicer. Then I’m going to unpick the hem and the cast-off edge on the button band, and re-do them by sort of grafting the live stitches onto the back. This should make the whole button band much more elastic and stop the cardigan riding up in the middle. Once that is done, I’ll take a view on the shaping – she might look much better after all that..
I have the same kind of figure as you so will be really interested in how you get on with the darts, they always look so flattering. I think thats a great plan. Your new wool is very scrummy
Ah! I just figured something out. All day I’ve not been able to get out of my head that I some beautiful soft creamy, white and so smooth yarn that I want to use. I haven’t thought of it in ages. Now I know where I got the thought from – I read this post early this morning with the intention of coming back. Your yarn looks rather like mine (but it’s different)and it stayed with me all day! Excellent choice!
That looks gorgeous yarn – I haven’t heard of it before – yum!
This will be lovely! I also have this pattern in mind for a future project and like you felt I’d add some length to it. I’ve never been a fan of the cropped top. I can’t wait to see how this one progresses.