So, my Icelandic sweater… by the time I’m finished with it, I will have knit it a few times.
It started with the sleeves. I was initially working them two at a time using magic loop. When I was about 15 inches in, I noticed that the sleeve gauge was a noticeably looser on the sleeves than on the body. I had to rip out both sleeves and started over. I made them one at a time, attempting to be conscious of my gauge. They turned out better.
THEN, I started working the yoke. About half way through, I noticed some (really little) notes at the bottom of the chart that said “start here for ladies’ small”, etc. Dang-it! And ripped all the yoke out.
Finger crossed that I don’t notice anything else before I’m finished.
LESSON OF THE DAY: Pay attention. Read through the pattern. Look for little notes.
Where I was yesterday.
Where I am now.
I started reading through some articles for my master knitter certification. I will henceforth do gauge swatches AND I will forever block said swatches. (I wish I had blocked the swatch for my sweater.) The more I read on gauge, the more I realize how important it is and how things I thought were insignificant (like the sweater body or a circular and both sleeves at once using magic look) can actually make a big difference. The authors of these articles keep stressing that the characteristics of the wool (or other fiber) almost always change once your piece becomes wet. People wash wool garments – it’s a given.
CONCLUSION: block, block, block everything (except acrylic).
Angie and I leave for Portugal in two weeks!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to be somewhere new.
