Fitting

Dear Mom,

So we had a successful fitting when I came to visit at Easter! The gauge and size I'm knitting fit your hips and waist to a tee. And the stripes look really good! Everyone has been complimenting the colours. I was pleased that I didn't have to rip and start over, and within a week I had finished this section of the sweater up to the bust.

Then came the tricky part. Sleeves. Because of the striping, I have to be very careful if I want to alter the sleeves at all. I want the stripes to line up with the main body of the sweater when I join everything together to knit the yoke. I had two variables to test: I needed to know how long the body of the sweater should be, and how long the sleeves should be.

So I started knitting the sleeves on our next trip to Grand Rapids, for the Festival of Faith and Writing. I did a few inches and then finally figured out that bit about making the stripes line up. When I had a chance to try things on you, we confirmed that the body was the correct length as knit (14"), and that we would need to shorten the sleeves a bit. After some head-scratching and note-taking, I figured out what size of stripes I need to start the sleeves with (the stripes alternate between four and six rows long).

But . . . I haven't started them yet. I have another project deadline that intervened, for a very special occasion. I'll tell you about it soon! And really, with the beautiful weather we're having, you won't need this sweater until at least October, right?

Love you lots,
Ali

Look Mom!

Dear Mom,

Look, I started your Retro Prep Cardigan! You may remember it's been a year and a half since you first picked the pattern (from Interweave Knits Fall 2002) and over a year since we bought the yarn (Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool). I've made sweaters for everyone else in the family, so it's finally your turn.

It took me a while to decide what size to knit for you. The best size, a 40" bust, was actually between two pattern sizes, but with the Silky Wool knitting at a different gauge than called for in the pattern, I was able to accommodate without doing extra math! So I'm getting a gauge of 20 stitches per four inches on 4.5 mm Addi Turbos, and I'm knitting the 38" pattern size. Since the pattern calls for a gauge of 21 stitches, I should get a 40" bust.

But since the proof is in the pudding and we all know gauge is evil, I've only knit up to the waist shaping. When I come to visit for Easter, we'll try this baby on and make sure that it actually fits the way you want it to. If not, I don't have to rip as much out.

I also want your opinion on the striping. We can always change it if you'd prefer wider stripes.

I made one change to the pattern so far. I can't understand why Maggie Shepherd wrote it so that the yarn changes are at the side, which results in jogs in the stripes and/or lots of ends to weave in. Why do that when I'm going to put a steek down the middle that would solve both those problems with a snip of the shears? So I rotated the first row after the ribbing so that colour changes happen in the middle, where the steek will be. I'm sure other people before me have figured that out, but I'm just a little pleased with myself.

See you tomorrow! You'll get to fondle the lovely Silky Wool fabric in person.

Love,
Ali xoxo