September 19, 2005
SQ does intarsia
We interrupt this knitting blog for a dispatch from my younger sister SQ, who sends gratuitous detail shots of her first-ever sweater project. She is working on the "Go Faster" sweater from Rowan 38. Yes, its intarsia. She has no blog (ahem, I can totally remedy this for you, S), but sent visuals via email during what must have been a study break in her busy college schedule.
Here's some speed reporting on her progress.
Day 1. SQ starts strong with a couple rows of ribbing in what looks to be Knit Picks Andean Silk. She's using a rather unconventional multi-DPN method of knitting flat.
Day 2. SQ tackles the first bout of intarsia with some mystery white wool, and hmmmm, that green yarn sure looks familiar. Its recycled from that Old Navy sweater, the same yarn I just made the Whitby socks out of! That former sweater sure is seeing a lot of action lately.
Day 3. The intarsia goes on. In a brave move, SQ modified the gauge from the original 2sts/inch to 4sts/inch and is working with size 9 needles.
Day 4. Almost done with the front! The top section looks like its knit in butter yellow Classic Elite Montera and unlabeled maroon wool. SQ's boyfriend objects to the masses of llama hairs shed by the Montera, but to no avail. SQ keeps on going, determined.
Day 5. SQ conquers the front of the sweater. Although she claims that intarsia is "not that bad", I don't believe it. It looks like craziness to me...but hey, every family can only have one intarsia knitter, so I am in the clear!
Intarsia sweaters are not without issues.. SQ informs me via telephone that the finished front is about 3 inches wider that her other sweaters. It wraps around to her back a bit when she tries it on. Apparently, there was some mix-up choosing a size. I should have told her about the trickery that is knitting sizing. Is it back to the drawing board for SQ? Or maybe a large comfy sweater is in the cards? Has anyone had success modifying a too-wide knit sweater?
Comments (18)
Wow! Cool sweater. SQ is one brave gal for selecting an intarsia pattern in her first sweater! I hope she can figure out the sizing issue.
Posted by caitlyn | September 19, 2005 10:27 AM
Posted on September 19, 2005 10:27
Your sis is one brave gal - intarsia! Yikes. Better her than you (or me). Best of luck to her on the sizing thing - I predict a good outcome. And get that girl a blog - doesn't she know how wonderful you are at these things? Jeeze.
Posted by Stephanie | September 19, 2005 10:40 AM
Posted on September 19, 2005 10:40
aww, that is adorable, she knits amazingly fast, too!! i can't wait to see her finished this sweater. i love the design a lot... very moschino-ish. keep us posted!!
Posted by blossom | September 19, 2005 11:05 AM
Posted on September 19, 2005 11:05
Hee, hee! That's cute. Great job with the entarsia.
Posted by Colleen | September 19, 2005 11:23 AM
Posted on September 19, 2005 11:23
big oversized sweaters rock! seriously, a total fashion statement, especially if you're a petite girl. tell her the next one can be fitted - this one was obviously meant to be big ;)
Posted by andrea | September 19, 2005 11:24 AM
Posted on September 19, 2005 11:24
She is just so adorable ... from taking up intarsia so bravely to the last photo shot! I agree with andrea ... an oversized sweater looks good on a petite girl ... and SQ looks to be petite to me.
Posted by Agnes | September 19, 2005 11:43 AM
Posted on September 19, 2005 11:43
Go SQ! How sweet of you to chronicle her knitting exploits!
Posted by Christie | September 19, 2005 12:10 PM
Posted on September 19, 2005 12:10
She really did "go faster" didnt she?! It looks great, though I am no help in fixing a too wide sweater. Im too chicken to sew the sides and cut (though I came close to it with the bias tank)
Posted by yahaira | September 19, 2005 1:13 PM
Posted on September 19, 2005 13:13
Aww, your sister did a wonderful job and I love the look on her face in that picture! I wish I could help, but I have no idea...
Those socks you finished are absolutely gorgeous! I love the color you chose.. man, they are really perfect!
Posted by Dani | September 19, 2005 2:12 PM
Posted on September 19, 2005 14:12
Haha, too cute! Maybe make the back slightly more narrow? Not enough to be immediately noticeable, but enough to add some snugness. Looks great so far, though!
Posted by grumperina | September 19, 2005 2:42 PM
Posted on September 19, 2005 14:42
thanks everybody! i feel so special. :] why is intarsia so bad though?
Posted by S | September 19, 2005 3:18 PM
Posted on September 19, 2005 15:18
Damn, she is speedy! And I love her innovative use of DPNs. I've got nothing on the sizing issues, but so far, it looks fabulous. And the girl definitely needs a blog!
Posted by Purly Whites | September 19, 2005 3:25 PM
Posted on September 19, 2005 15:25
like, whoa. that's *A*W*E*S*O*M*E*...for lack of a better word. i'm feelin' like imma need to rescue some yarn from a sweater i don't wear anymore after seeing the note about an old navy sweater...uh huh.
Posted by keohinani | September 19, 2005 9:25 PM
Posted on September 19, 2005 21:25
kudos on the intarsia. hell i'm still scared silly just by the mere thought of it. and get her a blog!
Posted by winnie | September 20, 2005 2:41 AM
Posted on September 20, 2005 02:41
So impressive! You need to show her all the comments she's getting. And I don't know what to say about the sizing issues other than... stick with it? She may like the sweater a bit big.
Posted by marichan | September 20, 2005 10:52 AM
Posted on September 20, 2005 10:52
I'm totally in awe of your sister's skillz - re: sizing, Bonne Marie has a thing on refitting finished sweaters: http://www.chicknits.com/ttdownsizing.shtml. Also, what about fulling (rather than felting)? Might work...
Posted by Dana | September 20, 2005 1:44 PM
Posted on September 20, 2005 13:44
CUTE! I can't help much on the sizing unfortunately...good luck!!
Posted by Vicki | September 20, 2005 4:09 PM
Posted on September 20, 2005 16:09
Awesome. Truly awesome.
Posted by john | September 21, 2005 5:12 PM
Posted on September 21, 2005 17:12