Tags
AIWCC, bind-off, cast-off, clothing, FAWCO, jumper, knitting, patterns, pullover, Ravelry, ribbing, Stitch 'n' Bitch
of speed knitting and I finished my Ravello in time to wear it during a conference in Brussels!
My friend and Stitch ‘n’ Bitch co-leader and I were attending a day of the annual FAWCO conference. We’d already met women from the clubs within our region but this was an exciting opportunity to learn more about FAWCO and connect with women from around the globe. As one of the co-leaders for Stitch ‘n’ Bitch at the American International Women’s Club of Cologne, I already have a bit of a reputation for “wearing something knitted” at AIWCC events. So it seemed only natural to be aiming to wear my new Ravello.
At one point, I’d had visions of sewing up the ends on the train but fortunately I was finished before that and even got to give the jumper a bit of a press. There were moments when I actually despaired of finishing. The bottom ribbing was done twice, the cast-off three times.
One of the projects on Ravelry that I really liked had the ribbing in broken rib to avoid pulling in the jumper quite as much as happens with regular ribbing. I liked this idea but casting off was tricky. It looked untidy. I undid it.
I had used Elizabeth Zimmerman’s sewn bind-off on the neck and found it to be a neat edge after my four rows of ribbed neckband. (The pattern has an option for an unfinished edge but this would have left my bony collar-bones exposed!) However, when I tried doing this bind-off at the bottom, it really didn’t match the knit 2, purl 1 ribbing at all.
So then I reknitted the bottom third of the ribbing as regular knit 1, purl 1 ribbing and tried to do a tubular bind-off…very unsuccessfully. So it was back to the internet again to check out other suitable cast-offs.
In the end I ripped back half my ribbed band, reknitted with new yarn and used an adapted version of the Russian bind off from Wendy Johnson’s website. It looked a bit flared out but the edge was very even so I just had to hope for the best. After a damp press on the wrong side it looked fine. I decided to do the sleeves the same way. At least then it would all look ‘meant’.
Three weeks and three days after my second cast on (yes, there were hurdles right from the start!) I finished. I have never knitted a jumper this quickly before. I probably shouldn’t ever attempt to do it again either!
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astitchmatism said:
It looks great! I like the way you did the color block on the sleeve too.
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soknitsome said:
Thank you. I stole the idea, though – I was inspired by another project. You can see which if you go to Ravelry.
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iknead2knit said:
Fantastic job!
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soknitsome said:
Thank you!
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Sara Crafts said:
Looks great! I love that strip of dark blue on the one sleeve and all the colors you chose are lovely. It looks like a sweater that will get lots of wear.
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soknitsome said:
Thank you. When I bought the yarn I thought the variegated might be a tad pale but it’s worked out well. I quite like being ‘different’ so the idea of unmatching sleeves appealed to me as soon as I saw one of the other projects!
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mollieandclaire said:
It’s fantastic!
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soknitsome said:
Thank you! I can see me knitting another of these!
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stitches'n'scraps said:
I absolutely LOVE those sleeves….and it fits you perfectly too 🙂
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soknitsome said:
Thank you!
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Julia M. said:
This is awesome. I love the look and the colour suits you so nicely … Good job! 😀
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soknitsome said:
Thank you very much 🙂
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Febr12 said:
That looks really beautiful! I just love the variegated blue you used for the stripes. It looks perfect on you 🙂
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soknitsome said:
Thank you. I had intended to get a red for the stripes but when I saw that blue I knew I had to take it!
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Febr12 said:
Excellent choice!!
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Jen said:
Wow….extremely playful, dynamic…. just all out FUN !
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soknitsome said:
😉
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trpeters02 said:
Love it! I love the sleeves. So different!
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soknitsome said:
Thanks!
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feelgoodknitting said:
Cute! I can’t imagine getting a sweater done that quickly though; you must be wiped!
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soknitsome said:
It’s actually quite a quick knit if you don’t make mistakes! The stripes break up the boredom of all the stocking stitch.
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Kepanie said:
Stellar knitting there! I like how each sleeve is different, having its own character. Yay! I’m so happy for you.
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soknitsome said:
Thank you. I could wear it every day but I’m sure those around me will get tired of that!
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susanssnippets said:
This is a great sweater! I love the colors. I’ve been admiring the variations that have been done so far, but have not succumbed yet. Your sweater makes it even more tempting however I have several projects ahead of it. I must learn to knit faster!
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soknitsome said:
😉 Yes, make one – you won’t regret it!
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lovelucie1 said:
Great choice of colours and design.
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soknitsome said:
Thank you. I’m rather chuffed with it 😉
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lottieknits said:
Lovely jumper, it really suits you 🙂
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soknitsome said:
Thank you!
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