What is this thing called a finished object? It seems like it’s been a while since we had one. My Tangled Yoke Pullover Not a Cardigan is finally off the needles. Yay!
I have a feeling it’s not what some of you expected it to look like. First, I’ll show the photos and then explain why and how I did what I did. (It’s a hazy odd day out; I had a lot of trouble getting decent photos. This yarn changes color depending upon the light, which is very noticeable here. The sideways photo is the truest to color.)
The grafted under arm:
As you can see, I chose to do a Henley style neckline — preserving the split at the front of the cardigan. I went through a lot of options when I decided to make this a pullover.
1. Have the front and backs identical. If you look at the photos of the back, you can see there is a transition point where the asymmetrical cables go out towards the front. I thought I might be able to duplicate that in the front, but it’s not really possible without a lot of fiddling and changing of stitch counts.
2. Simply have the main cable pattern repeat all the way around the neck. I seriously considered this possibility. Mathematically, it would have been very easy. It’s a ten-stitch pattern repeat (that increases and then goes back down to ten). I had 230 stitches, so I wouldn’t have had to make any adjustments. I would have chose one of the two basic cable repeats and been on my merry way. The issues were these: what part of the cable pattern would I use to center and would it be tricky to deal with the inevitable “jog” you get between rounds in circular knitting? I would have started the rounds on one of the shoulders to minimize the jog. My bigger issue was where to center the pattern and whether I would like the way it looked. I did a lot of futzing with photographs etc. and decided I wasn’t sure I wanted the look I was going to get.
3. Keep the pattern the same but not split the neck. I would have had a fairly large expanse of plain stitches between the bobbles that complete the pattern. I could have adjusted that by reworking those so that they came out more towards the middle. I think that would have looked fine, but I ultimately decided I sort of liked the Henley split look.
What did I do? I cast on the same number of stitches for the front and back. In my case, it meant I cast on four more stitches than the pattern called for. I worked the sweater in the round, but other than that I pretty much followed the original directions up to the yoke. (I did originally knit the purl seam stitch, but I “undid” it as I explained in an earlier post.) After I joined the sleeves to the body, I tried it on periodically until I thought “Okay, here is where I want it to split.” I then put four stitches on a holder and at that point started knitting back and forth.
I also knew that I wanted a wider, lower neck than the cardigan had and I wanted the cables to sit lower. I wanted them to wrap around my shoulders. When I had knit about 1 1/2″ and just after I split the neck, I did a set of short rows. (There are none called for at that point in the pattern.) Then I knit straight up, but started my cabling sooner than the pattern called for. There is a decrease round immediately after the cabling. I waited to do that because it would have been too soon to do those with my changes; the sweater would have been too tight and it would have pulled up. After I did the decrease row, I did a second set of short rows (approximately where called for in the pattern).
For the neck, I did an inch or so of garter rib and left the stitches live. Then I picked up stitches along the split on each side and knit garter rib. I bound off the neck and split stitches together using a two-stitch i-cord. One note: if you do a split neck like this, make sure you knit the band that goes along the split long enough or it will pull when you stitch it down. Although I had four stitches on a holder (which I grafted to the edge of the garter rib), I really needed to make sure my ribbing was long enough to cover six stitches because I lost one on each side of the neck when I picked up.
I’m really happy with how this turned out, although there were moments when I had my doubts. It fits perfectly. It’s one of those sweaters that actually looks better on me than on Lucy because I have shoulders and she doesn’t. I tried to take some photos of myself in it, but they just didn’t turn out.
If only my little assistant were here to help. Oh look! He’s trying to swim to me!
I think it will be a long wait.
The yarn felt scratchy before I blocked it, and I was worried about that. I put a few drops of my heavy duty conditioner in my soaking water (the same conditioner I use when I blow dry my Krusty the Klown hair straight), and it feels much softer now. The sweater has a nice drape to it and if it ever cools off here in DC, I have a new fall sweater.
you’re truely an inspiration. I love that cardigan (pullover) and think your modifications are brilliant! I’m always in awe at how much knitting you get done – not to mention how beautiful the place is that you photograph in! – stunning work and inspiring…
Comment by Kyle Kunnecke — October 5, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Absolutely love it! that came out so nice. Thanks for all the notes – I love reading about how people do what they do.
Now to get busy on my own Tangled Yoke. I have been knitting the sleeves forever and a day (or at least it feels that way).
Comment by michelle — October 5, 2007 @ 11:44 am
Very, very nice! Good solution.
Comment by Gale — October 5, 2007 @ 11:44 am
It’s perfect! I love the Henley solution, especially since it preserves the little bobbles on the ends of the cables which are, sillily enough, my favorite part of the whole sweater. Thanks for your careful notes on how you made your modifications; it’s an education.
Comment by Linda D. — October 5, 2007 @ 11:47 am
That looks great! I think adding that little opening at the neck makes it much more interesting than a pullover. And the Felted Tweed is just lovely.
Comment by Nicole — October 5, 2007 @ 11:48 am
It looks beautiful!!!!! Great job! I am going to do the cardigan style, but I want the neckline to sit lower like yours does. If I follow your suggestions with a set of short rows earlier and not decreasing right after the cables, otherwise using the original pattern, do you think it would look like yours? I love it, beautiful color as well! Thanks!
Comment by jennie — October 5, 2007 @ 11:54 am
I love what you did. It is great!
Comment by Tamara — October 5, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Wow, it is gorgeous. I have been drawn back to the photos of Tangled Yoke in the magazine again and again, but thought the overall designed needed some tweaking. You have made it look fantastic. Thanks for all the explanation. The tweediness of the yarn perfectly compliments the design.
Comment by Nancy — October 5, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Jennie: To get the cables to sit lower, you also need to start them sooner. If the directions for your size says to do the first decrease row and then start the cabling at 3 1/2 inches, then you might want to start them 1 inch lower roughly. Also, if you do a set of short rows earlier, as I did, you’ll have to guesstimate where to do the first turn because the directions in the pattern assume you’ve already done decreasing. I did my first turns on the fronts, just before where the sleeves were joined.
Comment by surly — October 5, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
It is lovely! I like all your modifications and little details.
Comment by Lene — October 5, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
From Susan:Â It looks great of course and now I am even more tempted to make this. I just have so many ideas swirling in my head — make it stop, Mommie!
Comment by lv2knit — October 5, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
Oooh, wouldn’t that be fabulous in lightweight alpaca? It’ll cool down…supposed to come through next week. But I am so fond of 80’s in October in PA!
Comment by Nancy — October 5, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
It is absolutely gorgeous and a real inspiration, but would you please explain the first set of short rows? I’m having trouble visualizing them. Are they the ones people do to at the start of the yoke on a circular sweater to add fabric for the shoulders? or are they for the bust? (I haven’t read the pattern carefully yet, so maybe I’m missing something in there).
Comment by Linda M — October 5, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
Linda — the additional short rows were definitely not for the bust (if you knew me you wouldn’t have to ask). They are to raise the back neck higher than the front and provide a little extra ease for the shoulders. I did an extra set of short rows because although I’m not a big person, I have broad shoulders. Also, I wanted the front of the neck to dip a bit lower than it would have otherwise.
Comment by surly — October 5, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
Thanks so much for the details.
Comment by Linda M — October 5, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
You tweaked this pattern to perfection! The color is perfect, the cables perfectly placed, the Henley neck and the lower neck really make this sweater! I’m glad I didn’t dive right in and make it as the pattern called for – I much prefer your version. A standing ovation to you and Lucy!
Comment by Dianna — October 5, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
It looks lovely! I’m making one… but… we’ll see. I’ve already started the pattern as written. I don’t know how it will turn out. I like your modifications!
Comment by lanajoh — October 5, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
What a nice sweater! I really like the placket. When you get a round tuit, I’d love to see pictures of it on YOU.
Comment by Pam — October 5, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
From Jennie: Thank you for the explanations! The original neckline wasn’t quite right for me, and you have helped me figure out how to make it more like what I wanted! Thanks again!
Comment by jennie — October 5, 2007 @ 3:12 pm
Beautiful rendition of Tangled Yoke – thank you for the excellent photos and details!!
Comment by Pat — October 5, 2007 @ 3:53 pm
Lovely! The modifications work. But I think your assistant doesn’t. Time to hire a new one, because I’d love to see a modeled shot.
Comment by LaurieM — October 5, 2007 @ 3:53 pm
It’s gorgeous!
Comment by Jewel — October 5, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
I really like what you did- I’m very fond of a Henley neck.
But holy c-o-w Batman- you could have just designed a whole new
sweater and submitted it to Interweave and enjoyed all the fame and
notoriety and…………
sorry, off on one of my knitting fantasies.
Comment by Lorraine — October 5, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
I love it! Myself, I want a cardi, but when I get to this I do want to lower the cables and neckline per your excellent notes. Thank you!
Comment by AuntieAnn — October 5, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
Gorgeous! I also wondered about making this a pulli, but went back and forth. Now that I’ve seen your version, I know it’s the way to go. Incredible mods. It’s just perfect!
Comment by jillian — October 5, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
I realize of course that not everything touched by The Rainey Sisters turns to gold, but that seems pretty darned near to it from my perspective! Another raft of well-thought (and documented) modifications that show us there is no need to be a slave to the pattern as written.
Quite lovely! And so is your sweet-faced assistant 🙂
Comment by Karen B. — October 5, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
I really love your henley version! I will definitely return to this post when I eventually knit my own TYC. What a great colour too – can’t wait to see modelled shots…
Comment by ann — October 5, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
Awwww…we got some super cute shots of him and 8ball today..I’ll upload and email them tomorrow!
Comment by Nora (surly's daughter) — October 6, 2007 @ 12:38 am
As to be expected – just perfect. I am now about to print your notes on the modifications and those answers in the comments. Thank you. BTW, how much yarn did you use?
Comment by WendyM — October 6, 2007 @ 12:56 am
This is awesome. I love your version even better than I did the original. If I ever start a tangled yoke I may just do your version. Congratulations on this awesome sweater!
Comment by Femke — October 6, 2007 @ 4:16 am
Ooh, what a pretty sweater! I really like the henley neck. 🙂
Comment by Jen in CT — October 6, 2007 @ 8:02 am
Absolutely lovely!! Never thought to use conditioner. What a great idea. Wish I didn’t have so many WIPs on needles. I’m trying so very hard to be good and finish things and not add to my ever growing stash. The mods you made are just perfect. Love it, Sally!
Comment by NiteOwl — October 6, 2007 @ 9:47 am
This is the sweater that I saw in my mind the minute I saw the original cardigan pattern. You have done a masterful (as always!) job of implementing your own vision. You are indeed an inspiration and wonderful teacher. Thank you for that.
Might I ask about your reasoning for lowering the cables? I like the results very much. You have said you have wide shoulders…..is that why you lowered the cables, or was it for some other reason? Explaining that would be another of your valuable lessons for us to use in our future projects.
Again, many thanks
Comment by Ann — October 6, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
Wow! I am in awe. I alter patterns to suit my personal preferences all the time, but what you have done with the lowered cables and the henley neck is just perfect and way beyond what I would have thought of.
Comment by Astrid — October 6, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
Very handsome! I love the adjustments and am inspired by your mathematical fortitude! (Oh, and I wouldn’t have thought about adding conditioner to the pre-blocking soak.)
Comment by PainterWoman — October 7, 2007 @ 1:28 am
Nice, it looks great!!
Comment by Wanda — October 7, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
I am just now catching up on all my blogs.
Your knitting is just AMAZING not to mentioning your seamless finishing!!
Another fine knit!
Comment by Stacey_CrimsonPurl — October 7, 2007 @ 7:40 pm
I *love* it. This is the first time I’ve been tempted by it. And now I must have it!!!
Comment by Romi — October 8, 2007 @ 1:21 am
It’s stunning! I wasn’t sure that I was going to like this sweater as a pullover, but the neckline you gave it has made the sweater. Simply beautiful!
Comment by Kim — October 8, 2007 @ 8:35 am
your sweater is smashing!
Comment by vanessa — October 8, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
simply beautiful!!!
Comment by Vicki — October 9, 2007 @ 10:11 am
Oh boy, your Tangled Yoke not-cardi is just a beauty. I love the changes you made. It’s stunning.
Comment by Melanie — October 13, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
oh what a beauty, wonderful and thanks for sharing the details of your reasoning with us, I love to hear what and why people knit what they knit. I want one, sooooo much
Comment by stell from new zealand — October 19, 2007 @ 2:01 am
I am knitting your version of Tangled Yoke already … Thank you for the inspiration!!! Best regards!
Comment by joanna — November 6, 2007 @ 6:39 am
I am just finishing up my tangled yoke sweater and wished I would have seen your FO first! I love it as a pull-over, how clever you are. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Rose — February 17, 2009 @ 11:47 am