Monday, April 16, 2007

Fit or Frog?


I've finally gotten to the point in the pattern that have instructions for separating the sleeves from the body of the sweater. Separating the sleeves was easy enough. I was more worried about trying it on since my gauge was tighter than the pattern stipulated. So once the sleeves were separated, I took the whole thing off the needles and onto scrap yarn to pull over my head and see were I stood.

Well it seems as though i got lucky this time. It seems like the sweater will actually fit well enough for a first time sweater. So no trip to the frog pond for me this time. That is pretty good since I didn't really knit a proper gauge swatch. This has me feeling a little lucky, but I'm just hoping that I don't get in the habit of skipping the step of checking my gauge. I do understand that it could have been a really time consuming decision.

I am pretty excited to be knitting something that I might actually wear. It's kind of like knitting socks for the first time. There is some personal satisfaction that comes with the idea of knitting a garment that fits.

What is worrying me about this sweater is the speed I'm going through the yarn. I'm knitting the largest size and that called for 1100 yards for a long sleeved version. (each skein is about 100 yards) The picture on top shows me starting my sixth ball of yarn for the project.

I did buy a couple extra skeins just in case I needed it. Now I am worried that I won't have enough to knit the long sleeved version. I do think that i have enough to finish at least a short sleeved version though. So I'll keep going and I'll see how far I get.

I'm glad the color swirling stopped at the collar. Now the color seems to be making more random color splotches. Although when I look at the top picture, it makes me kind of think of a crazy colored zebra. now I just have to get this sweater back on the needles to continue knitting.

14 comments:

Bezzie said...

I was going to say a really chic tiger myself.

I like it!

I'd say not to worry about running out, but I'm an obsessive yarn-runner-out-worryier myself!

IrishGirlieKnits said...

It looks fabulous! I was worried by the title of your post...but yeah! It fits!!

Oh, and the yarn....my Wicked took up A LOT more!! Mine came out a bit too big too, I had to switch to making the short sleeves because of it. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Meghann said...

LOVE the colors! And very glad that it fits.....I'm delving into my own "first" sweater and I'm a little nervous too:)

I've heard a lot of people say that they needed more yarn that was written in the pattern. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Jessica said...

It's lookin' good! I'm a half-ass swatcher as well. I really need to work on that!

cpurl17 said...

I think it's lookin' good!

gilraen said...

It looks fabulous! :D

Good Luck on the yardage. I'm posting a parcel in the morning :)

Zonda said...

Yay! So glad it's fitting so far! I love how the color is swirling through. The collar is neat, but I love the rest! Fingers crossed for you! :)

Monika said...

Wow, am I glad it fits and you continue knitting. I hope you have enough yarn to make long sleeves!

Anonymous said...

I can't help much here because I have never knit a top down sweater. It reminds me of that commercial that says that 'Great feats of engineering aren't started at the top...' but we know better, don't we.

Ang

Desiree said...

Sooo pretty! I am glad that it fits. It would be heartbreaking to get that far only to hear the call of the frog. Got the collar done on mine today!

Knit Masala said...

Glad to hear that it all worked out even without the swatching (and as one who is lazy about swatching as well, I totally know what you mean). The sweater is looking great. I really love the yarn you chose - I'm such a sucker for purple.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful sweater! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you don't run out of yarn; but I'm guessing you wont if you bought a couple extra skiens.

Anonymous said...

This looks absolutely fantastic already - can't wait to see it all finished in all its glory!
I'm also constantly worried about running out of yarn - and it happens to me more often than not - but I'd say don't worry too much, usually it'll work out well in the end ;)

Alisha said...

It looks awesome!!!