(St)Eek!
First, check out this site, Free Rice, found here. It’s a vocabulary test, where, for every correct answer, they’ll donate 10 grains of rice to help end world hunger. I donated 1000 grains before I got tired. Since they started a month ago, they’ve donated 680,991,930 grains of rice . . . not bad, huh?
Now, on to the steek:
I cast off my Autumn Rose last night.
Using the instructions from Eunny’s excellent series on steeks, I crocheted up one side of the to-be-cut steek stitch in a nice, contrasting yarn.
Then, back up the other side, so that there was a row of single-crochet on either side of where I was going to cut.
Then . . . (gulp)
I cut the steek apart. (With no paparazzi present.)
Which puts me right here….
All very exciting, no? (And, no, I did not require any alcohol either before or after the cutting to steady my nerves.)
The problem? I tried it on and . . . while, of course, there’s no neckband yet, this is big. Huge, even. Even after I recalculated all my charts to account for a different row gauge and different stitch gauges . . . It’s indecently low, for one thing. (Thank heaven I moved the bottom of the neck UP!) And hanging-off-the-shoulders wide at the top. And, I wouldn’t think it was possible, but I think my gauge loosened even MORE toward the top of the sweater . . . don’t ask me how, for I’ve no idea.
Now, I know that adding in the neckband will help . . . it will help fill in the neckband and it will help give some real shape and structure to it. And I can make it a little wider than the pattern calls for to fill in even more space, but . . . the pattern, for one thing, has you switch to smaller needles to give it a little extra tightness, but I’m already down to knitting on US size 1 needles, so there’s not very far I can go.
So . . . the next step is picking up the neckband stitches and . . . seeing what happens. I might see what I can do about decreasing stitches in the ribbing itself to provide some shape. (Definitely, if it’s more than an inch wide, I’ll need to.) And maybe it’s not as bad as it seems because I’ve never knitted a neckline like this before. Maybe the extreme sagging from un-bordered stockinette stitch is entirely normal at this stage, I don’t know. But . . . I’ll admit I’m worried.
Although . . . as always, the sweater still looks absolutely gorgeous. It’s just, really, a question of whether it’s going to be, um, wearable . . . (sigh)
As if risking horizontal stripes wasn’t daring enough.
After this is over, though? I really, really need to see what I can do to getting my own personal knitting gauge under control. It’s one thing to be a relaxed knitter, and needing, say, to drop a needle size to get gauge is no big deal. But these gauge issues of mine? Really absurd lately, and I’ve no idea WHY (grin).
Click here to subscribe via RSS
Follow me on Twitter!
Tannenbaum.
House Calls
it is gorgeous! i hope after adding the neckband it will fit perfectly and look fantastic because it is a very, very beautiful sweater!
the sweater is beautiful… could look great with a little tank or tee in a complementary color
Here’s hoping the neckband tightens things up.
I have my fingers crossed that the neckband will make it all ok….
And good luck on the gauge tweaking! It does sound pretty extreme.
The neckband will work wonders, I’m sure! Don’t forget, though, that scoop necks look lovely with a layer underneath them–like maybe a cami with a little lace?
I’m having the exact same problem with my gauge. I’ve just completed 2 things that are too big. I’m a very relaxed knitter, once I’m well underway on something. I’m with you, need to knit something that I can figure out the gauge for.
Your sweater is very pretty and I hope doing the neckband will help make it fit.
Sheri in GA
Interesting. I was planning on just cutting my steek without any reinforcements. Thats what I did on my long-ago Alice Starmore and no carnage ensued.
Gauge is a mean bitch. Were you using metal needles?
The Free Rice link is fun! I love words, and it was fun. I put it in my favorites and will go back for brain-ercise when I think of it. What an interesting way to create donations.
Your Autumn Rose sweater is lovely. I hope the neckband will tighten things up for you as needed. As has been mentioned, a cami would look nice under there, and so would a turtleneck. The steeking looks terrifying!
I will be anxious to see how it works out for you. Fingers crossed!
Ah, gauge, our constant foe. I think this particular sweater could easily pull off a wide neckband similar to the bottom band if necessary.
Thanks for the vocab fun. I did 2000 and I’ll go back!
Gauge is evil. Steeking! Awesome. Hopefully the neckband and blocking will take care of the size issues. Really, the neckband might. It’s amazing how loose uncorralled stockinette can be.
So gorgeous though!
It is beautiful. You did a great job with the steeks!!!
You are very very brave.
steeks… omgosh… they unnerve me.
I will bet that it will look fantastic – and yes, perhaps there will be a top of some sort worn underneath, yet – it is just plain gorgeous. truly.
It is beautiful! I have to say I am nervous about the whole steeking part of it…
I have to hold my breath just reading your post. Beautiful!
the neckband should tighten it up and it’ll look really cute with a white collared shirt underneath if it’s a bit too daring.
Good job steeking!
I think the ribbing will make a bigger difference than you think. Very nice steek! Congratulations!
)
Congrats on a successful steek. It looks magnificent. Maybe you could work your ribbing in twisted stitches to pull it in a little more. Just a thought.
*fingers crossed*
I hope the neckband helps! I’m sure you’ll be able to figure out a solution to make the sweater wearable.
Steek steek hooray! Autumn Rose looks gorgeous!!! Theneck band should help with the off the shoulder “flash dance” look issues. I really hope you can wear her.
Thanks for the rice link – love it! The idea of steeking still freaks me right the heck out.
It’s looking awesome! Yeah for Steeks!
I hope you can find a solution to make the sweater wearable! It would be such a shame not to wear this gorgeous thing.
And grrrr, this FreeRice thing is addictive! I’ve been doing it all morning (don’t tell my boss.) There are some very obscure words in there…! Suddenly I don’t feel quite so well-read anymore.
It’s beautiful. And if it’s a little bit big, it’ll be perfect to snuggle up in. Baggy sweaters are good for that.
oh it is so gorgeous – I am trying to make myself finish a few other things so Autumn Rose gets the full attention, I hope when yours is all finished it fits perfectly (otherwise I guess it is a slightly hotter wash than normal?!)