theraineysisters knitting and so much more

August 18, 2012

From Sally — Look, Ma, No Buttons

Filed under: Updates — surly @ 4:54 pm

Sorry it’s been so long since our last post; I blame me.  So does Susan.

Anyway, I finished my Whiteness of the Whale last week and finally got around to taking some photos.   As stated in previous posts, I made several modifications:  I knitted it using the contiguous method (which creates a set in sleeve without seams) and I lopped off most of the tail.  (There is still a very slight curve to the hem.)  My other change was in how I chose to fasten it.  First some photos.

Instead of buttons, I used bracelet findings. In other words, I took clasps used in making bracelets and attached them to applied i-cord along the fronts. I initially had some pretty silver clasps with peridot stones on them, but they were too small in the scale of the whale so I cannibalized these pretty “lapis” ones. (I had previously made them into earrings. I think they are having an identity crisis.)

Here is a close up of the clasps, with the upper one left open so you can see how they work.

Oh, and one more change: I added a little cable at the wrist because the front of the sweater itself is so plain.

So there you have it. The whale is finished. One more thing, though. You may remember that I started this project with Shibui’s new Linen yarn, which unraveled on me mid-skein. I did want to report that Jimmy Beans, where I purchased it, cheerfully gave me a full refund, including the cost of the skein I had already used. And Shibui contacted me and reassured me that they had had only a very few problem skeins reported to them, and that they were going to make sure that Jimmy Beans was reimbursed. So if you are interested in trying that yarn, don’t let my experience dissuade you. I may use it for something else myself. The colors are gorgeous.

15 Comments »

  1. The sweater is is simply stunning. Everything about it, the color, the tweaking of the proportion you gave it, the details. I feel so vindicated that I always felt if there was one place I would want to use a cable (I always think of them as “fattening” at least on me) it’s at the sleeve hem. Perfect! (And i don’t know if you are a formal worshiper, but what a treat it would be to sit behind you on a Sunday morning and contemplate that design while listening to a sermon.)

    Comment by Chloe — August 18, 2012 @ 9:08 pm

  2. It is beautiful! Using the bracelet findings as a closure is brilliant! The cable on the cuff is perfect. I would love to see a photo of you modeling it.

    Comment by Mary Jo — August 18, 2012 @ 11:21 pm

  3. Absolutely gorgeous!! I love the creativity of using the clasps and the color contrast with the sweater. The two colors together are so beautiful. And the cable on the sleeve is truly inspired! Love, love, love this!!

    Comment by Holly Love — August 18, 2012 @ 11:56 pm

  4. Nice idea your bracelet findings 🙂

    Comment by Samy — August 19, 2012 @ 6:24 am

  5. Amazing rendition of this sweater and love, love, love your clasp buttons!

    Comment by Wool Free and Lovin Knit — August 19, 2012 @ 8:24 am

  6. Your sweater is absolutely gorgeous! I love the modifications you made as well as the bracelet “buttons.”

    Comment by Linda — August 19, 2012 @ 8:54 am

  7. It’s stunning, and what an awesome idea on the “buttons”. Do give the Shibui Linen another try – I think you’ll really like it.

    Comment by Cheryl S. — August 19, 2012 @ 11:17 am

  8. Ooh, not lapis – abalone shell! I love every mod you’ve made to the Whale. Your sweater is splendid.

    Comment by stashdragon — August 19, 2012 @ 11:32 am

  9. This is a truly beautiful sweater. I must look and find out how you did those sleeve caps because they really do look set in and they are lovely.

    Comment by rebecca — August 19, 2012 @ 11:43 am

  10. What a beautiful sweater! It is much better without the “tail”. I love the clasps.
    Julie in San Diego

    Comment by Julie in San Diego — August 19, 2012 @ 1:39 pm

  11. Well, it was worth the wait! C’est magnifique ~ mwah! I get all my best ideas from you, ha!

    Comment by Angela — August 19, 2012 @ 5:11 pm

  12. Whatever is the “contiguous method”?

    Comment by Purrl Gurrl — August 20, 2012 @ 4:41 am

  13. Beautiful sweater! How have you learned adapt a pattern to do the seamless set in sleeve? Trial and error?

    Comment by Cathy L — August 20, 2012 @ 3:25 pm

  14. You are definitely a knitting genius. Once again, I am in total AWE of you!

    Comment by Barb — August 21, 2012 @ 4:50 pm

  15. Revisiting this as I’m knitting my own W of the W – thanks for doing the revision on the lower back hem, Sally. You rock!

    Comment by Catherine S. — May 23, 2016 @ 11:06 pm

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