Optimism (n.)
1. the tendency to expect the best and see the best in all things
2. hopefulness; confidence
Do knitters possess a higher degree of optimism than other people? I think we have to…or else we would never start a project!
One of the several things on my needles right now was born not only of my tendency to view a project’s potential through rose-colored glasses, but also of my frugality. I bought yarn from Webs on sale — it cannot be returned. You may remember this yarn as the orange bulky that did not work for my Taiga Vest. The same designer also must have had a surplus of this yarn because she designed another vest out of the same color as she used in HER Taiga and called it Vintage Mood.
I thought it was cute, and I had the exact yarn called for in a generous quantity. The design itself is unusual and here is where my optimism comes in: will this crazy, twisted around, origami of a vest work?? I think it will (?). Here is what I have so far:
You start across the back with a provisional cast on. Then you work up the back and over the shoulders, with the garter sts edges forming the armholes. You convert to ribbing for the shawl collar. At that point, you fold the thing in half and pick up sts and work the lower body from the top down in ribbing (some people substituted stockinette, which I kind of wish I had done).
I tried it on and it fits and is pretty darn cute…BUT, there is a huge “hump” at the back neck, like there should have been some shaping somewhere along the line (after I started this, I noticed that others on Ravelry have mentioned this problem). This will require some machine sewing and surgery to correct. Again, I am pretty optimistic that I can fix it š . I will wait until it is blocked before I do anything — I don’t want to “over correct.”
Would someone please hand over my rose-colored glasses?
The color is very nice and the way the sweater comes together is rather inventive. Assuming the bump is not an issue it looks like you have a nice sweater on it’s way!
Comment by Linda — May 23, 2012 @ 7:41 am
Wow! I do love the color and the pattern; very pretty! But oragami knitting?? ehhh, my head would be spinning. I wish I was that brave. Can’t wait to see the finished item. Oh…..here’s your rose colored glasses. Carry on, you brave, optimistic soul!
Comment by Linda — May 23, 2012 @ 8:07 am
Please post about the sewing repair. It will be interesting to see how you do it. Love the colour.
Comment by Brenda — May 23, 2012 @ 8:17 am
What a cute vest! I will remain hopeful that you will resolve the issues and have a nice little vest to wear.
Comment by Cheryl S. — May 23, 2012 @ 10:16 am
I’m curious: If you were to lace sewing thread along the edges of the hump that you would wish to remove, starting at the ribbing of the collar on one side, ending on the other, and obviously trying to make it symmetrical (i.e. outlining where you would have cut to fit in the collar), wouldn’t you be able to come up with stitches and rows to modify the pattern?
(I might not be making myself clear though – I speak better when I can use my hands *g*)
Comment by Sivani — May 23, 2012 @ 12:24 pm
I was looking at this one just the other day. A very interesting construction.
Comment by Needles — May 23, 2012 @ 4:08 pm
Um, judging by an initial glance at just the first page of projects on rav, well, this caught my eye, among other mostly negative reviews: “Good idea to read through everyones comments regarding this pattern..wish Iād done so BEFORE wasting 2 nights of knitting!! For some inane reason this forms a pouch at back neckline and no am…”
You may wanna consider cutting your losses and repurposing the yarn? Sorry. I don’t own rose-colored glasses. I’m more of a realist.
Comment by Susan — May 24, 2012 @ 8:23 pm
My favorite kind of sweater shaping…cut and sew š
Comment by rebecca — May 25, 2012 @ 9:54 am
I just finished this same sweater. Clever. Kind of cute. But I will never wear it. That hump in the back is just not gonna cut it. . .
Comment by Kym — May 25, 2012 @ 11:42 am
Hmmm…interesting concept. The front is definitely very cute. I will watch for your repair, which I am certain will be totally successful (optimism co-dependence provided free of charge) and may not be major. My thought is that some methodical wet blocking might help things.
Comment by twinsetjan — May 27, 2012 @ 9:58 am