Saturday, May 31, 2008

completely wicked


Wicked is off of my needles. I haven't blocked it yet, but it's removed from my WIP list.

I must remember to give it a little bit of slack: Wicked is the first sweater I've completely finished.

All of my complaints are due to the execution of my Wicked. The pattern is very well written, and contains no errata that I know of (some people believe there is-- it's addressed on the Zephyr Blog).

My main complaint is that I should have added more rounds at the waist. I did follow the schematic of the pattern, stopping the waist where it said to, but I should have gone with my instincts and made the sweater longer. The second most bothersome aspect: the sleeves are too big. I increased to accommodate a large bust, but should have only increased the front panel of the sweater, ceasing arm increases at some point sooner. Alternately, I could have followed a seasoned Wicked knitter's advice and just done short-row bust shaping.


Instead of knitting the pocket separately, I picked up stitches directly from the waist of the sweater. This resulted in what I think is an inside-out seam. It may be that this is not avoidable when picking up stitches, but again, I don't really know ... inexperience rules here.

The laundry list of gripes I have is long. Posting them makes me irritable, and I'm a bit curious as to why. Is it because I don't want to be negative? Is it because, really, if I don't like how it turned out, I should just frog it? Or is it because I may be admitting that sweater-knitting might not be my forté?

A track is playing round and round in my head: This is why you knit socks. This is why you knit socks...

9 comments:

peaknits said...

I really must try this sweater (I have also finished just one adult sweater) - your teaser pictures are so tempting! I was thinking I would love to make the cardi version...but I'm with you - socks rule!:)

krysten said...

oh my goodness, i can't wait to see the whole thing! sorry it isn't all you wanted it to be, but congrats on finishing a sweater ~ that's quite an accomplishment!!

and i think your pocket looks great! i had to re-read your "gripe" with it a few times before i could even figure out where you were saying the "problem" was!

Anonymous said...

I think it's fantastic! I especially like the color too.

Anonymous said...

I think it's fantastic! I especially like the color too.

Ally Jay said...

I think it looks fab. Perhaps if you don't like it you should sell it and knit some.....socks.

a friend to knit with said...

it looks fabulous! and i love how you picked up the stitches from the waist. i think that is totally brave!

also. you are right to go easy on yourself. it is your first and it is fantastic!

i think you would be so happy trying a sweater coat of some sort. really. you should think about it.
maybe the slouchy cardigan.

Hilary said...

Well, I think the pocket looks awesome. So do your perfect, perfect cables and pretty moss stitch. Making things fit right is by far the most difficult part of sweater knitting, so please don't feel down about it. Even as a sweater-knittin' gal, most of mine are still too short for me. Designers generally design for their own bodies (so it seems), and it's really hard to know in advance what mods you will need to make for it to fit you right. Don't give up!

Anonymous said...

I think it is wonderful..wear it and enjoy...forget the mistakes..

Philigry said...

oh, i bet it looks really great. I hope we get to see a bit more of it. If you don't love it though, i know it is hard to let it just stay a sweater. I think pullover's are really hard, especially for us busty girls. Maybe leslie is right, try a cardigan next?