Comments on: Aaaaaaaarrrghhhhhhhh!

By: Adventures of a Desi Knitter » Belatedly

Adventures of a Desi Knitter » Belatedly — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:15:00 +0000

[...] two very important ways for my knitting – the first being that knitting the two fitted vests, and one major project disaster made me much more conscious of sizing, fit and gauge issues. I think 2008 is going to be all about [...]

By: Madame Purl

Madame Purl — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:55:55 +0000

The problem is not you or the pattern. It’s the alpaca. Alpaca fiber has no memory. Any thing you knit will end up stretching to your knees at least a beyond. It has to be an alpaca blended with wool to keep shape. To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure if 2 will work 100%. It has a tendency to keep growing.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to remedy this myself as a spinner. Maybe one strand alpaca, one wool? I’ve also thought about trying a garment knit on the diagonal or bias, but I suspect pure alpaca will still give the same problem just stretched on the diagonal. Reminds me I need to card some Suri and wool together.

By: Archana

Archana — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:08:32 +0000

Hmm. It does look gorgeous and really only needs a larger body to fit it. I’m all for giving it to a larger person. Then of course pacify DH by choosing a smaller project in two weeks, (with some luxurious yarn-to make up for it). After he’s forgotten the fiasco, secretly cast on again, only DONT USE ALPACA….

By: Lola

Lola — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:48:39 +0000

Bummer! I would vote for option 2. If that doesn’t work, go for option 4.

By: stell from new zealand

stell from new zealand — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 07:28:00 +0000

oh that texture is fab, but the story of the size – my heart aches, the colour and texture is beautiful. i vote that it sits folded across a chair in the bedroom to be handled and admired and occasionally work around the shoulders? I have no solutions, but have been warned that worsted weight will be a warm alpaca sweater …. oh …..BOTHER! I hate not being able to help . . . . . .

By: Mrs.Hipp

Mrs.Hipp — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:21:46 +0000

Wow, I am impressed that you can knit an entire sweater in worsted weight in two weeks (this is is the slowest knitter in America here). I vote for option 4 – cut your losses and move on!

By: Deepa

Deepa — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:23:18 +0000

Oh that is just terrible. So much work!

I say #3. #1 would be cathartic but ultimately such a waste. Give the darn thing away to someone whom you like but will seldom see. Give your DH an IOU (he’ll understand) and go find some worsted weight yarn that he’ll like. Meanwhile, whip up a pair of socks for him. That’s my 2 cents.

I’m knitting socks for my DH since I no longer have time to knit him his annual sweater. Just wait till you have kids!

By: Opal

Opal — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:51:14 +0000

I think 1 would be the most cathartic, but 4 seems to be the most practical. You could totally do a sweater in 2 weeks. I have!

By: lobstah

lobstah — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:16:23 +0000

I think that #2 might work if you can live with the torso being a bit larger than you like. But honestly, it will probably never look perfect to you since it wasn’t started at the right size. Personally, I’d choose #1 and start over with worsted weight.
Sorry for your pain

By: spudsayshi

spudsayshi — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:04:22 +0000

OH NO!

Seriously, how awful and frustrating.

I wonder, too, about the possibility of cutting and sewing, combined with a reknit of the sleeves (or, you could just cut off the ends and re-knit down cuffs) and shoulder shaping (since the puffiness will annoy you, I’m sure). I’d think that would absolutely require a sewing machine, though, what with the slipperiness of alpaca.

Really, huge sympathies. (And is he there? Hi, if so [or anyway.])

In better news, your rangoli hat has been PERFECT the last few days. Warm enough, and yet not giving of the hat head that so often plagues me.