Because Rebecca was kind enough to comment on on the floppy sweater, I will revisit the madness of it’s floppy-ness.
The colors of the floppy sweater don’t photograph very well - the red in the picture is actually more of a rust (called “Chile” in the Mission Falls line) and the green is more subdued. They are definately fall colors. Hopefully when it’s finally finished I’ll get a better picture.
Reasons it’s too big:
When I started knitting this I was a very tight knitter, as most beginers are (I’ve only been knitting since November 2001). But as I’ve been knitting this sweater off and on for the last 5 months my personal gauge has loosened, just in the natural process of becoming more comfortable with the needles. Consequently, I had to block the back to meet the front and the whole thing is at least 1 size too big. I knew it was going to be a little big because I was also reckless in my size estimation when I first measured my gauge - it was a little big (because the Mission Falls is thicker than the Handknit DK), but I figured my tight little stitches would keep it close enough!
If I could go back in time and send a whisper of advice to myself, I would still use the Mission Falls (I’m telling you, that is the softest, best quality cotton) but I would knit at a size below my measurements. I could have adjusted the pattern to fit my gauge, too, but with the stitch design, it wouldn’t have been exact.
Anyway, after discussing it, I’m feeling a little better so maybe tonight I will retrieve it from it’s banishment in the “ugly basket” and finish up the neck, just to be finished…
September 25th, 2002 at 2:15 pm
mission falls cotton washes up brilliantly. i made a sweater for my mom and bravely tossed it in the washer on HOT and then in a hot dryer, to make it smaller (i had the floppy syndrome, too) and it tightened up nicely. i’d do it again in a heartbeat.
September 25th, 2002 at 2:17 pm
oops — just checked the pic. caveat: my sweater was navy with moss/fog trim. i think you’d be tempting fate if you washed yours in hot with that rich red! HOWEVER, i bet you could put in one of those dye magnets and wash it on warm, at least. i think it’s the dryer that does most of the firming.
okay, i’ll shut up now.
September 25th, 2002 at 4:29 pm
Hi again,
Thanks for mentioning me and putting a link — that was a surprise! I really want to try the Mission Falls cotton, I think I will after your recommendation. I’ll have to check out the color of that chili — oh no, an excuse to go back to the yarn shop!
September 25th, 2002 at 4:34 pm
Thanks for the advice, Squib! I was worried about the colors - I have some of both yarns left so I’m thinking I’ll end up making a tiny swatch and let the washing machine do it’s worst. I’ll let you know how it turns out…