I got the first half of my outfit finished this weekend. It’s probably not accurate to say I am “halfway” there, since it takes a lot longer to crochet a sweater than it does to sew a dress. I can whip that dress up in two days! (But will I? Time will tell… and I need it by this weekend.)
My thoughts? I like it, but I wanted to love it more. I’m not sure it’s the sweater that is disappointing me, or my body, but I suspect it’s a little bit of both.
While I can’t do much about my body by Sunday, I might be able to adjust the sweater. The sleeves are a little too fluttery for my taste, and I think I can rip out the scalloped edging and be happier. I’m also struggling a bit with how to button this sweater for the most flattering look. When I first tried it on, I had it buttoned near the top with button #2, but it made me look triangular. I’ve settled on button #3 now, which is under the bust line, and it’s a big improvement.
Still, I am on the fence about wearing this to a nice event. I thought the lace would make for an ideally classy accessory, but I have tried it on over a sheath dress, over a cami with a skirt, and over a tee with jeans, and I really like it best with the jeans. That may be because of the button thing, though. I hadn’t considered using button #3 until after I had already tried it with my party clothes. I may need another backyard fashion show to help me make up my mind…
Also, I kind of wish I had done it in a natural cream color. Next time, I guess!
On the positive side, once I had a few motifs under my belt, they became quite simple to make, and the joining became easier, too. It was an enjoyable project to work on, and I wouldn’t rule out making another sometime.
The details
Pattern: Woodblocks Cardigan by Linda Permann
Modifications: none
Yarn: Cascade Ultra Pima in Teal
On another note, I appreciate all of the support surrounding my announcement yesterday. And the orders. Holy cow, the orders! I am going to be really really really busy this month. Ack! (thank you)
And on yet another note, if you signed up for the sheet swap but didn’t get my email last weekend, please let me know!
I think it’s really pretty. Have you blocked it? I blocked a baby sweater for the first time and really made a big difference, made it look more professional and finished.
Yep. I did, but maybe not enough?
The sweater is gorgeous! I think their sizing was off. I would like it to look on me the same way it looks on the hanger…whatever that took!? Don’t give up on it…it’s beautiful.
I think it looks different on the hanger because there is nobody curvy inside it to fill it out 🙂 I buttoned all of the buttons when I hung it on the hanger. I couldn’t do that while wearing it, and actually, I always intended to only fasten it with one button anyway. I’m happy with it in a casual setting, so worse comes to worst, I’ll just wear it that way all the time!
It’s pretty! I love the color, and even moreso on you.
I wish we lived closer. I need to get dressed up this summer for a wedding. I bet you could take one look at me and point me in just the right direction. If I could look half as pretty as you on any given day I’d be blissed out.
Seriously??!? If you had any idea how hard I find it to make myself not look frumpy, I think you’d be shocked. You might also be surprised at all of the self-portraits that end up on the cutting room floor before I find one I am comfortable sharing. Oh, I have an entire rambling post in me somewhere about wishing I was more comfortable in my own skin… maybe I will manage to post it one of these days. *sigh*
Thank you for the complement, though, it is really appreciated! If you do figure out what to wear to that wedding, I’d love to know… I have the same challenge ahead of me!
It’s beautiful. I good blocking should even out the stitches and open up the lace. Then it should drape better and might be worthy of the fancier outfits.
Those don’t look like polymer clay buttons! You might like it better with some custom made matching buttons. When I sew buttons on my sweaters, I back them with small flat buttons on the inside. They are much more secure and don’t droop.
I hope you get many years of enjoyment from your new sweater.
Good tip re: the buttons on the back. I didn’t want to make my own, since I was hoping they would fade into the background and not really stand out. No point in dragging out the clay supplies for something I didn’t want to call attention to!
I did already block it, but maybe it needs more stretching in the right direction.
I was going to say that the sweater doesn’t look like it’s working very hard for you. I would try it with something darker and more fitted underneath so that the sweater is a little more flowy and doesn’t make you seem so boxy– maybe a fitted black tank? Old Navy had some cute summer jersey dresses on sale this morning that would work.
Part of the problem is that I am kinda boxy. I’m a little afraid of summer jersey dresses – I think I’d be sucking it in all day. That hurts after a while 😉 I have worn it with a black bra-top cami and shorts, I do think it looks better that way. Replace the shorts with a skirt, and maybe I would have something…
Hi Lisa-Just one thought, and that is: block the heck out of it!! It will make a huge difference and give the sweater some flow. I used blocking wires on my version to really stretch and open it up and it made a big difference. The yarn I used was silk though, so drapier in general, but I know Cascade Pure Pima can be drapey too. And, you could always add a crocheted chain tie instead of a button (giving you a bit more room in the middle if you wanted, and free range to place it wherever you wanted).
Maybe that’s my problem. I blocked it, but I didn’t block the heck out of it, LOL! No, seriously, I let it soak for 30 minutes, and then left it blocking for an interminable 36 hours. Maybe I need to try again, but with wires. I like the crochet tie idea a lot. A whole lot. I may just do that. Thanks for the tips 🙂
[…] a white 3/4-sleeve sweater (the sweater only if it’s chilly, though). I’m not wearing the crocheted sweater I initially made for this occasion. I’m liking that more for everyday use. In fact, I am […]