Sunday, February 04, 2007

The So-So Spartan

When reading this & viewing the photos keep this in mind:
  1. This is my very first adult knit sweater.
  2. I knit this in secret very late at night while DH was sleeping.
  3. I knit this without ever taking his measurements.
  4. I learned my lesson.
Pattern: Spartan Pullover by Kristin Nicholas

Pattern Source: Interweave Knits Fall 2006

Yarn: Tahki Kerry; 10 skeins #5011 black, 1 skein #5012 charcoal

Yarn Source: Webs

Needles: KnitPicks Options size 7 & 9 US 24" circulars

Notes: The pattern instructs you to work the sweater in the round from the base to the neckline, so I also decided to work the sleeves in the round using the 2 circulars technique. I'm not a huge fan of seaming, so this worked out very well for me. I worked on this sweater secretly while DH was either sleeping or at work since I gave it to him for Christmas ... BUT since I took no measurements, it was too small when he put it on (of course), so I had to block the hell out of it again, stretching it in ways that it didn't want to be nor should have been stretched. It fits him okay now, but it really didn't turn out as nice as I'd hoped.

I absolutely love the fair isle detail at the bottom and since it was my very first attempt at fair isle, it was very rewarding. The yarn was nice to work with, although I found out after I purchased it that this company (Tahki Stacy Charles) is not consumer friendly. I'm trying to be more concious of purchasing consumer friendly yarn, so even though Webs has it on closeout for almost half the price I paid for it, I've decided not to purchase it again. I've also decided to NOT knit anymore adult sweaters until I practice on a few kids sweaters first. Maybe Starsky Jr?

14 comments:

Lara said...

I think it looks great for you first adult sweater! Mine was a disaster. We learn all sorts of lessons with our first sweaters...even with the first few. But yours really does look great. I love the colros you choose and fair isle trim. Be proud of your first sweater!

Anonymous said...

I think it looks gorgeous -- especially for your first adult sweater! Your Fair Isle looks perfect! That's too bad about the fit -- but it seems to have blocked out nicely.

One tip I've heard, if you can't get the person's measurements, but do have access to their clothes, is to get a similarly styled garment and take the measurements from that.

I'm really impressed that you were able to knit the whole thing in secret -- I don't think I'm that stealthy!

Brena said...

I think it looks very nice! I can't imagine making a sweater without measurements! But your blocking skills seem supreme! I'm impressed with your fair isle. And the colors do go well together. It looks very sophisticated.

Carole Knits said...

I'm impressed. It's much nicer than my first sweater, certainly. Terrific job!

Lynda said...

I understand the woes of not being happy with the finished fit, but the sweater in and of itself is beautiful! - and GREAT for a first sweater!

Anonymous said...

I think it looks great! You should have seen my first adult sweater - not for wearing in public!

Laura said...

I think it looks great! The Fair Isle patterning is quite nice.

Anonymous said...

I think this looks absolutely fantastic, especially as this is your first adult sweater, I'm impressed! The Fair Isle pattering looks so great too - congratulations on a really amazing accomplishment!

Karen said...

I think you did a wonderful job!! I can't believe that's your first adult sweater and also your first Fair Isle!! Don't sell yourself short - you did great.

jillian said...

I think it looks great! Especially that it's your first adult sweater and you took no measurements! It could have gone terribly, terribly wrong in so many ways. You deserve alot a credit! It looks comfy and stylish!

Micki said...

I'd say your first sweater is a success! It looks great.

flutter said...

I think it's lovely, though

abby said...

It's just lovely! I understand about the non-consumer-friendly yarn issue, since I just used some stashed Tahki myself. But de-stashing is more important right now!

Christine said...

I think it's great. My first adult sweater is still in the stash, waiting to be frogged as it isn't even wearable. I hope your hubby was happy with it for your effort and suprise, plus, it really DOES look good! Maybe not as good as your next sweater will look, mine have gotten better with each effort, but you're being more critical because you knit it. The detail at the bottom is absolutely perfect, it looks so professional and adds just the right oomph to the sweater!

Hang in there! I bet he wears it a lot!