In Review

Autumn Rose is complete and I must admit to a sense of loss.  This was my first fair isle project.  Now that it’s off the needles I’m not quite sure what knitting challenge to try next.  Color work was fun and I look forward to doing it again sometime soon.  Only maybe on bigger needles…using size 0, 1, 2 and 3 needles for a sweater is not something I want to become a habit.  (Note to self:  Fair Isle in 100% wool produces a very warm sweater.  It might not be the perfect thing to wear to a wine tasting where one is sure to get a little warmed up by all the likker.)

Details:

Autumn Rose by Eunny Jang from Simply Shetland 4 Tomales Bay cast on November 14, 2007 and cast off December 9th 2007

Size and Yarn:  39″ Jamison’s Spindrift in colors called for in pattern.  Actual amounts used were one skein each of every color except old gold and sunrise.  I used 2.5 old gold and 1.5 sunrise.  If you buy a kit for the 39 inch (which I did) you’ll end up with a lot of extra yarn since 39 is the first size that calls for more than one skein of the pattern colors.  Risk buying only one of each if you’re brave or plan on returning yarn.   Errata:  So far just size 2 for the sleeve and one I found for the size 39 and emailed to the publishers.  They already have it in their corrections but it is “On page 87, the 9th line of Joining Rnd (top of right-hand column) should read: “place next 21 (21, 23, 21, 21) sts on holder…”
Needles:  Mostly Addi #2 magic loop

Gauge AFTER wet blocking:1  32 sts and 30 rows and in 4″ (pattern called for 30 sts and 32 rows in 4″)

Measurements:  Overall length (neck to bottom) 24″, bust width:  19″, and  waist width 16″  Knitting is funny sometimes.  My bust measures exactly 39″ and the bust width x2 (38″) would indicate this sweater might fit tight but it doesn’t.  I think it might be because the neckline is so low.  If you plan to wear this sweater with a t-shirt or camisole sizing down might be a good idea if you intend to wet block as I did.  Sizing would probably be pretty good with a cotton long sleeve button down shirt.

Notes:  First of all, is it just be or is even the inside of this pattern pretty??? I knit the sleeves first which was a great way to skip the gauge swatch.  However, if you like to wet block (as you know I do) it would really be a good idea to knit and block a swatch.  I know, I know…after all this time you would THINK I would do that.  Apparently I’m a little slow.  Or hard headed…whatever.  By the way, the finished project after soaking in fabric softener wasn’t nearly as scratchy as I feared.  I wore it with a camisole and didn’t notice my skin being irritated at all.

There might be something going on with the fit as the pattern is written.  It might be due to slight variances in gauge, but more than one person as commented about the way the sleeves and bust meet and I had the same issue.  It’s not terrible but when one is use to designing to fit it can be a little frustrating.  I’m sure I’ll get over it.  I’m SO not whipping out the scissors and sewing machine like Deb did.  Also, despite skipping the little repeat on the bottom it is plenty long for my short waisted body.  In fact, it reaches about mid butt.  Oh and corrugated ribbing?  It doesn’t really “rib” much at all.  Don’t count on it to make an even slightly stretchy bottom of sleeve or sweater.  I think the fit of this sweater could really be improved (at least for my body) by knitting it as a top down raglan.  I can only imagine what a huge pain it would be to do the color work part back and forth until you could join for the body.  Not something I want to tackle but a mere suggestion for anyone who might want to really customize the fit.  P.S.  If the only size 0 needles you own are wooden don’t use them.  Knitting with a broken stub is not as easy as you might imagine. P.P.S.  If you want to see a great looking Autumn Rose with a different size and model be sure to check out Claudia’s…she posted her finished pictures today as well and her sweater is gorgeous!

Since getting this off the needles, I whipped up some mitts for Jim and a simple scarf.  “Patterns” (such as they are for simple stuff like this) to come.

1. yes, I am a complete and total moron and forgot to check the final gauge before I dunked the sweater in water however I started out pretty close to on gauge when I checked way back at the sleeves [↩]