First fitting
The trying on session yesterday went quite well; actually considering I might have been way off track it went really well.
She fits nicely across the back and doesn't seem too snug around the front, I figure the double breasted effect gives a little room for manoeuvre here. It was definitely worth the fuss of putting the stitches on to yarn and giving it a try on as I did decide to put in some of the increases planned for further on straight away to give a little more ease around the chest.
The session also confirmed my concerns about the length. After Cara's version I was already hoping to be able to lengthen her a little and having measured out where she would come to if I stuck to the pattern measurements she definitely needs a little more length for me. The only issue with this is how much yarn I will have as I didn't do the sensible thing and buy one skein over. My plan is to finish off the skein I am on and then go back and do the sleeves and collar; I can then return to the body knowing I am free to carry on as far as I need to.
I also spotted that I had misread the instructions and got the first button hole in the wrong place. She's a beginners sweater alright: I learnt to do make one increases for under the arms and one of those has left a nice neat hole where I must have knit into the front rather than the back of the new stitch and the shaping for the sleeves has a similar gap. Still I think these will be easy enough things to hide with a needle and thread and it has been a great learning experience.
She fits nicely across the back and doesn't seem too snug around the front, I figure the double breasted effect gives a little room for manoeuvre here. It was definitely worth the fuss of putting the stitches on to yarn and giving it a try on as I did decide to put in some of the increases planned for further on straight away to give a little more ease around the chest.
The session also confirmed my concerns about the length. After Cara's version I was already hoping to be able to lengthen her a little and having measured out where she would come to if I stuck to the pattern measurements she definitely needs a little more length for me. The only issue with this is how much yarn I will have as I didn't do the sensible thing and buy one skein over. My plan is to finish off the skein I am on and then go back and do the sleeves and collar; I can then return to the body knowing I am free to carry on as far as I need to.
I also spotted that I had misread the instructions and got the first button hole in the wrong place. She's a beginners sweater alright: I learnt to do make one increases for under the arms and one of those has left a nice neat hole where I must have knit into the front rather than the back of the new stitch and the shaping for the sleeves has a similar gap. Still I think these will be easy enough things to hide with a needle and thread and it has been a great learning experience.
Comments
I also think I placed my button holes too close together, but I blame that on her instructions. She saya start them on a WS row, but she also says row 14. WS rows are usually odd numbered so it totally threw me. I think I did them on every 13th row as a result. How are you placing yours? If I did it again I'd likely do them every 15th row instead.
I can't wait to see your finsihed results--so far it looks like a perfect fit and the colour is beautiful!
Kath - I love the Taj Mahal philosophy, duly adopted :)
Cara - it was the first button hole I got wrong - she says count 12 rows from centre front, strangely that made me count 12 rows from the centre back - sometimes I wonder about my ability to read! I've just been going with row 14 ever since but that first one is in a really awkward place now.