May 11, 2005
Lucky is A-OK
Yea for a finished Lucky Clover Sweater!
Check it out!
Yarn: Rowan 4-ply cottom in shade 135, Fennel.
Pattern: by Melissa from Stitch and Bitch: Nation; Size Small
Gauge: 26sts/4" in stitch pattern on size 3 bamboo circs
Pattern Modifications: Adjusted sleeve length to 19 inches before cap. Also lengthened body to 13.5 inches.
So this project takes a while. But its definitely do-able. I rushed at the end and went into 4-ply cotton overload when finishing it. I took off some about-to-expire vaca days in order to do productive things like spring cleaning and updating my resume, but ended up knitting right through them! I was a knitter on a mission. My mission: finish Lucky and gain freedom to knit something else. But when it became apparent that the neckband was going to take just as long as the other pieces, 4-ply cotton overload set in. In retrospect, it would have been okay not to rush it.
Lucky knitters out there: take your time. Labor day is the perfect time for a sweater to be done. Knit it all summer. Knit other things too. Its all good.
Neckband Installation:
After reading Winnie's report, I took care when seaming the neckband for a nice v-neck style. I used the mattress stitch to seam the neckband evenly along the left and right fronts. Along the sleeves and back of neck, its necessary to pull in the sweater more. I seamed two rows of the neckband with two stitches of the sweater like this:
It might appear to be way off during the seaming process, but once the yarn is pulled tight, the neckband gathers the sleeves and back neck quite invisibly.
This is a super comfy sweater. The cotton is nice and soft. It is a bit loose, but for summer, that might be very comfortable. If I were to knit it again, I'd probably adjust the pattern so it would be smaller in the body, and longer. Not to say that I am doing that! This is my one and only Lucky!
Comments (25)
OOOHHHHHHHH it's beautiful! Doesn't it feel wonderful to have it done. I just felt free after completion. Will you really knit it again?
Posted by carolyn | May 11, 2005 7:51 PM
Posted on May 11, 2005 19:51
It's so beautiful! Congrats on finishing it! Thanks for posting the up-close picture of your seaming - it's very helpful.
Posted by marichan | May 11, 2005 9:06 PM
Posted on May 11, 2005 21:06
this is one of the best FOs i have seen these days! very nice! it looks great and the color is perfect for a cardigan like this! you should be very proud! i'm still contemplating whether to do this project or not!
Posted by blossom | May 11, 2005 9:36 PM
Posted on May 11, 2005 21:36
The cardigan looks great, and you look very stylish in it. Congratulations, and enjoy!
Posted by grumperina | May 11, 2005 9:39 PM
Posted on May 11, 2005 21:39
wow, it looks perfect. i love the length of it - i don't think it's too short at all, it's all cropy and summer-looking. the color is divine!
Posted by andrea | May 11, 2005 9:48 PM
Posted on May 11, 2005 21:48
It is beautiful ... but I agree with you that it should be longer. I would feel a bit uncomfortable with the position of the tie ... I would prefer it to be a bit lower. But it is really beautiful!
Posted by Agnes | May 11, 2005 10:35 PM
Posted on May 11, 2005 22:35
Wow, that sweater looks very professional! I didn't really like it in the book, but it looks really good on you. I might give it a try when I finish a few WIPs! Of course I will bastardize the pattern... Heh, anyway, it looks great!
Posted by Rachele | May 11, 2005 10:41 PM
Posted on May 11, 2005 22:41
Fantastico! I would imagine you feel a bit relieved to be done with the 4-ply cotton overload. It's a gorgeous shade and looks great on you. :)
Posted by Karma | May 11, 2005 11:29 PM
Posted on May 11, 2005 23:29
I forgot to ask about the sleeves. I'm asking everyone about them... did you do anything different (besides lengthening them), or did you knit them as specified? I'm just wondering if they're too "straight" and wide. Yours look great; the photo in SNBN made me think the sleeves were too wide.
Posted by Karma | May 11, 2005 11:42 PM
Posted on May 11, 2005 23:42
looks fabulous!
Posted by froggy | May 12, 2005 5:36 AM
Posted on May 12, 2005 05:36
Looks fab, Diana. I love that you chose green (matches your blog!) and you are so right about the pattern. I love this cardi, but gosh, it does take awhile. I am way behind, but Labor Day sounds like a doable date... what is that, 3 months away? :) Great work--it is perfect on you!
Posted by Lolly | May 12, 2005 8:43 AM
Posted on May 12, 2005 08:43
It looks gorgeous...you are inspiring me to pick up this project and get a move on with it! well done on a fantastic wrap.
Posted by jacqueline | May 12, 2005 9:09 AM
Posted on May 12, 2005 09:09
Its a beauty!
Posted by PumpkinMama | May 12, 2005 9:21 AM
Posted on May 12, 2005 09:21
Looks great. Good finishing tech, and I love the color.
Posted by Colleen | May 12, 2005 9:48 AM
Posted on May 12, 2005 09:48
It's lovely, and you're right, there should be no hurry to finish things! It's hard advice to remember at times, but sage nonetheless.
Posted by Anmiryam | May 12, 2005 10:17 AM
Posted on May 12, 2005 10:17
it looks GORGEOUS!!! you're an inspiration - i can't wait to start mine :)
~Christy
Posted by Christy | May 12, 2005 10:18 AM
Posted on May 12, 2005 10:18
THat looks sooooooooooooo gorgous! Congrats on finishing! I am so blown away by all the complicated looking stuff everyone is making now.. I feel so behind!
So, whats next!?!?! ;)
Oh, and thanks for the cute kitty comments... I know, they are just super cute, I can't resist posting! I just entered them in Cara's cutest kitty contest... Have a good day!
Posted by Dani | May 12, 2005 10:28 AM
Posted on May 12, 2005 10:28
Another fabulous FO from you. I really like how it turned out and it looks great on you. So, what's next?
Posted by Stephanie | May 12, 2005 11:06 AM
Posted on May 12, 2005 11:06
Congratulations on finishing! It is gorgeous and very flattering on you. You did an amazing job.
Posted by Purly Whites | May 12, 2005 12:07 PM
Posted on May 12, 2005 12:07
Beautiful job! Congratulations... I'm saving your post for when I finally get around to seaming!
Posted by Felicia from sweetgeorgia | May 12, 2005 12:20 PM
Posted on May 12, 2005 12:20
Gorgeous Lucky! It looks great on you. The more of these I see, the more I can't wait to get mine done. I've seamed it and am finishing up the long tie now.
Posted by Stacy | May 12, 2005 1:07 PM
Posted on May 12, 2005 13:07
I love the color and styling of this sweater!
Posted by melissa | May 12, 2005 2:13 PM
Posted on May 12, 2005 14:13
you did it!!! *pops champagne* oooh... so lovely.
Posted by winnie | May 12, 2005 3:02 PM
Posted on May 12, 2005 15:02
Gorgeous! I started knitting Lucky but wasn't really getting into it at all. Maybe one of these days I'll have to make myself knit it.
Posted by sharlyn | May 12, 2005 4:04 PM
Posted on May 12, 2005 16:04
It looks amazing! I will rethink this pattern. I don't think it looks as flattering in the book as it is on you.
Posted by dcknits | May 12, 2005 6:42 PM
Posted on May 12, 2005 18:42