Monday, April 09, 2007

Wicked - Cross Over Collar

I have made a little bit of progress on my first sweater. I have the cross over stitch collar finished and since taking these photos, I'm part way through the increases. Notice how the color swirls around the collar? I'm glad that didn't continue down the body of the sweater. I'm pretty sure that stripes swirling down the length of my torso wouldn't be a good look. But I'm sure as the increases are added that the color pooling will continue to change.

I did a bad thing when starting this sweater. I only halfway did a gauge swatch. I tried knitting a swatch in the round on US#7's and my gauge was way too tight so I didn't even try blocking the swatch. I cast on for another swatch on size US #8's and then decided to just cast on for the sweater and see what happened.

My gauge still is a little tight, but not too tight I hope. I'm hoping that if the sweater is too tight the first time I go to try it on that I can add another increase or two, but if that doesn't work I'll frog it and start over. That will be my punishment for not working out the whole swatching thing in the beginning.

So far I have followed the pattern as written except for the first row. I could not get the cross over stitches into the ribbing in the first row because my cast on was just a little too tight. So I just did the ribbing without the cross overs for that first row only. I like the cross over stitches. For some reason the pattern calls for the cross over stitches on the collar and the sleeve cuffs, but not the waistband. I'll probably go ahead and add the same detail to the waistband too.

So far I really like knitting with this yarn. It is soft and not scratchy at all. I get the feeling that if the sweater does eventually get finished and turns out to fit that I will like wearing it a lot. I am curious about using the yarn for socks. I would think that it would make very soft socks, but I have read that socks made from Supermerino don't wear very well. I wonder if that is also true for Ultramerino as well.

15 comments:

Monika said...

I made one pair of socks for the boyfriend of my daughter. He has large feet, and they knit up very quickly. I don't know well they held up. Have to ask him. The Ultramerino I've used for my Woolpeddler shawl. It feels even more soft and I would not use them for socks, because I'm afraid they will not hold up very well. Oh, I'm such a dummy. I did knit socks with Ultramerino 4! For myself. Had only worn them once so far, want to give them a chance to survive a little longer. I've worn them a couple of days and handwashed them. They look as good as new. Only under the heel are they a little bit felted. So there you go! ;o)

Bezzie said...

That is a gorgeous color combo. Love the purple and gold.

eusebius said...

Great colours! I hope the gauge works out for you.

Sue J. said...

The colorway is lovely, and your stitches so perfect. Can't wait to watch this progress. Nice job!

Zonda said...

Sending you good gauge vibes!!! Hope it works out good!

Knit on! It's looking great!

Anonymous said...

Looks great! Well I did a gauge for my Wicked and it turned out a bit too big...so gauge, smauge... The best part is that you can try the sweater on!! Definately try to try it on before you separate for the sleeves (much easier to go back a few rows). Enjoy! This was my first sweater too. Love the colors!

monica said...

I love the colors you are using. I am knitting a pair of socks with the UltraMerino in the fingering wt. It seems to be spun tighter than the super merino so I am hoping it will wear well. I hope the knitting gods don't zap you for only doing a partial swatch, and all goes well without frogging.

gilraen said...

It looks georgeous, even better knitted than on the skein. :)

Thanks for the info, I might pass on it for socks, for now. :)

Did you get any Posh Yarns on Sunday?

Desiree said...

Oh, I love the color combo! I am about to attempt Wicked myself but I didn't get the Ultramerino it called for. I might next time though!

cpurl17 said...

Those colors are great. Doing a swatch is like taping off a room before you get to start painting. Bo-ring. I hope it comes out okay!

Anonymous said...

I think this is going to be a very pretty sweater. The yarn is so pretty. Know what you mean about the pattern the yarn is making, but I'm betting it can't make the same swirls in the body. Can't wait to see how it comes out.

Ang

The Kelly Green Rogue said...

It looks great! Can't wait to see how the yarn patterns itself out

gilraen said...

If you'd like to try some Lucia (posh yarns) email me and I'll send you some left from another pair I've knitted. :)

Pomatomus is a great pattern BTW and I've knit less than 10 pairs so far. ;) :)

Jessica said...

I love the colorway you chose. I can't wait to see how the yarn will look as you get further along in the pattern.

gilraen said...

My email to you got returned. :)

mgthayes at aol dot com :)

I wasn't teasing.