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Sheepish Knitter
Warming Up
87 Posts |
 Posted - 02/24/2004 : 4:00:43 PM
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I am getting ready to try my first sweater, so I picked a pattern that looks like a good starter, a funnel neck in The Yarn Girls book. But they use a yarn called Muschio, which I priced and found would cost over $100! How can I go about substituting something more affordable? The pattern doesn't say much about the yarn, other than it is super chunky, 2-2 1/2 stitches per inch. Also, I am wondering about size. The pattern says sizes S, M and L, but I can't find anywhere in the book that describes the measurements for these. Has anyone made this sweater or others in this book? And what is a reasonable price to expect to pay for yarn for a basic sweater? Thanks in advance for any help or advice anyone can give me!
Andrea |
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2004 : 4:59:01 PM
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Since this is a first sweater I would stick to the gauge as much as possible. Order some catalogs so you can see what is available. Right now I have the Patternworks catalog, Lion Brand catalog, and Ram wools all of which arrived in the past two weeks. As you go through these catalogs there will be numbers by the selections that tell you how many stitches per inch you can get. Pick one that gets 2-2 1/2 stiches per inch. Use the recommended needle size as a starting point only and buy the needles that give you that gauge.
First get your bustline measurement--be honest now--no one else will ever know--then add 4 inches to it and write down that number. Read your pattern, somewhere it will tell you how many stitches are at the underarm. It may be the cast on number plus XX number of increases. Add the stitches across the back at the underarm to the stitches across the front at the underarm and divide this total by both 2 and 2 1/2. That will give you the range of the finished size of the sweater. Ignore all S, M, and L designations, because they are not the same from one pattern to another and therefore are meaningless.
fran |
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GoneFishing
Warming Up
51 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2004 : 6:09:55 PM
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I have that book (though not in front of me) and if I recall correctly you can tell the measurement from the schematic drawing. I made the funnel neck and the only problem I had is that the neck was too small for my big head. I'm not sure that it was the book's fault--I do have a big head and I may have bound off too tightly. I think the pattern called for "rolled" edges (done in stockinette stitch) and if so I changed it to a 2x2 ribbing because rolled edges seem to roll too much for my tastes. I'd definitely do two ridges of garter to stop the roll an inch or so in to keep that from happening if you decide to do the rolled hem.
And I rarely use the yarn called for...I thought this sweater was 3st= 1" but I could be misremembering.
Sheryl |
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Sheepish Knitter
Warming Up
87 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2004 : 12:33:23 PM
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Fran, thank you so much. I have already ordered several yarn catalogs and measured my bustline (without cheating!) I now have a good idea of which size to make. And Sheryl, you don't sound like you have a big head at all! Thank you for the tip on the rolled hem. I can hardly wait for my catalogs to get here, so I can choose yarn and get started...
thanks again,
Andrea |
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lyeng@aol.com
New Pal
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2004 : 12:54:04 PM
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| If you are like me, and can't stand to wait, you could also check elann.com . You can even sort by gauge. |
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knittykat
Seriously Hooked
USA
710 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2004 : 2:09:06 PM
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Also beware with that book (I have posted this before) that the garments frequently come out boxier than the picture may suggest. They have very little shaping which makes them easy, but also makes them kind of shapeless. They are pinned on the models which is misleading.
Just so you don't end up with 4 sweaters to frog--like I did.
Kat in Illinois |
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jjporep@hotmail.com
Chatty Knitter
USA
121 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2004 : 2:30:29 PM
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| Andrea--I made my first sweater from a pattern in that book and it seemed to run on the small side. I used that Light and Lofty yarn which met the gauge and an extra large ended fitting my daughter who wears a med/lg. I love that book for its illustrations and explanations, but realized the patterns aren't really geared to a woman's shape--more junior sizes. I still recommend it to anyone starting out knitting. Happy knitting. Jodie |
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Sheepish Knitter
Warming Up
87 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2004 : 3:25:04 PM
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| Oh wow! I just went to elann.com and it is amazing! The yarn was so beautiful, and the prices so reasonable--instead of spending over a hundred dollars, I can spend forty and still have great yarn. Now I just have to decide which one! Kat--thanks for the warning on the boxiness. Did you really frog four sweaters from that book? Maybe I should consider another pattern...? I guess if it doesn't work out, I could give it to my daughter, too. Thanks, Jodie. |
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Sheepish Knitter
Warming Up
87 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2004 : 3:37:49 PM
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By the way, is Polar weight yarn the same thing as Super chunky?
Andrea |
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bethgirl@georgiadogs.com
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Posted - 02/26/2004 : 12:21:52 PM
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| I just made that very sweater...it was my second sweater, so I was afraid of substituting the yarn for fear of screwing something up, and I sprung $130 for the Muschio. It's yummy, yummy yarn...soft as can be! The sweater was simple as it could be, and it was really, really fast to do, with the thick yarn and big needles. One caution that someone else has noted here: When you bind off the neck, do it really, really loosely. You may want to even make the neck a bit larger than it says...I have a teeny head, and I had to rip out the neck 2 or 3 times and bind off more and more loosely to get it to fit. It works great now, and it's a fabulous sweater. They just don't warn you about how small the neck is. I totally freaked...I was so excited about finishing that sweater, only to sew the shoulder/neck seams and discover that it wouldn't go over my head!!! :-o Otherwise, it's fabulous!!! Good luck! |
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chondarella@yahoo.com
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Posted - 02/26/2004 : 12:51:56 PM
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| The funnel neck from the "Yarn Girl's Guide" was my first sweater too! I used Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Superwash Bulky. I got a good deal on a discontinued color on ebay. I made a size medium and I have a 37" bust and it turned out quite roomy. I was worried about the bind off on the neck as well (I have a huge head) but it ended up fitting over my head. I highly recommend this as an easy first sweater pattern. Good luck! |
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Karen F
Sustaining Member
248 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2004 : 2:23:12 PM
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Try binding off loosely and use a bigger needle for the bind off.
Good luck!
Karen |
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colleen.meagher@ci.boston.ma.us
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Posted - 02/26/2004 : 2:26:11 PM
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| In general, you should begin to learn that knitting is not a cheap hobby. If you're buying good quality yarn, then I wouldn't be surprised that the total cost would be over $100. There are ways to save: 1) eBay 2) elann.com [bargain yarns.] 3) hit the sale bins at your LYS. |
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2004 : 2:55:44 PM
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although garter stitch works for stopping the rolling of a hem, I have been happier with a k1,p1, ribbing for 2 rows. The reason is that the rolled hem almost completely covers it and it doesn't show when you are wearing it.
As for tight bindoffs, be sure to replace each stitch back on the left needle before k2 tog. That little extra step keeps your bind off loose.
fran |
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PurlyGirlie
Chatty Knitter
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2004 : 3:02:03 PM
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Hey knittykat - that was a helpful bit of trivia! I wonder if most books pin the garments on the models or mannequins. I made one of the sleeveless tanks in Yarn Girls, and it was rather unflattering, to say the least.
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dragonmom
Seriously Hooked
USA
956 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2004 : 06:38:06 AM
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ok, that's it, i think i'm gonna go buy this book. i think this sounds like a cute sweater!
Minnie
the world is knitted from one beautifully variegated skein. |
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eclaire26
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Posted - 02/27/2004 : 11:32:25 AM
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| I'm not sure I understand why this is such a difficult thing to do. As long as the yarn you want to use matches the gauge in the pattern, you should be okay doing the substitution. You definitely have to knit a swatch, though. And also take into account whether you are using a different fiber than the pattern calls for also. Cotton behaves much differently than wool, so you absolutely have to swatch it before starting the garment. I think that in all my years of knitting, I have used the actual yarn that the pattern called for maybe once or twice, because the recommended yarn was way out of my price range. And often, I didn't like the yarn used, or it didn't come in a color I wanted. But then, I consider patterns guidelines, not absolutes. |
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Sheepish Knitter
Warming Up
87 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2004 : 3:04:54 PM
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Well, I guess it's not that it is difficult exactly...but maybe a little scary. I have made a bunch of scarves with all different kinds of yarn, but those don't have to fit--they look good on anyone. I guess I was thinking I didn't want to spend over a hundred dollars and then completely mess it all up, since I've never had to shape anything before. Thanks to all for the tips on the neck of this pattern, and how to stop the rolling of the hem. I really appreciate all of the comments and help. And I really like the idea of thinking of the pattern as a guideline rather than an absolute...as a new knitter, I guess I hadn't considered the creative freedom I hold in my hands!
Thanks again for everything,
Andrea |
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eclaire26
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Posted - 02/28/2004 : 06:55:34 AM
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| The wonderful thing about knitting, is that if you decide you don't like your finished project, all you have to do is rip it out and make a new one! I have a sweater that is on its third incarnation, from really nice wool I bought about 20 years ago. As styles have changed, and as my tastes have changed, I have changed the sweater, too. Knitting is not like sewing--it's really easy to recover from knitting mistakes, whereas once you cut the fabric, it can be difficult to change your mind about what you want to do with it, or try to fix a big mistake. I find there is nothing quite so liberating as ripping out a sweater that I no longer wear and remaking it into a brand new garment. I have even gone so far as to but sweaters at garage sales and thrift stores that are made of really nice wool and have hand sewn seams just for the yarn! I rip them out, wash the yarn and make them into something new. It's a wonderful way to get nice yarn when you are on a budget. |
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Sheepish Knitter
Warming Up
87 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2004 : 08:02:45 AM
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Eclair26, thank you! I really like your perspective on knitting. I always worry so much about whether I am making the "right" choice, both in my knitting and in my life. It's remarkably freeing to realize that in knitting, at least, there really aren't any mistakes...just opportunities to try again. Which makes me just a little embarrassed that I chickened out on starting the sweater, and began yet another scarf while agonizing about which yarn to buy! This is so typical of the way I've been going about my life too...I'm going to try and take a more easy-going attitude toward both life and knitting. Note to self: knit happens, and there are no mistakes, just new opportunities! Thanks again,
Andrea |
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robcancook@cox.net
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Posted - 03/02/2004 : 12:48:07 PM
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Dear Sheepish Knitter,
Stop worrying and enjoy your knitting. It's wise to knit with good-quality yarn (note I didn't say expensive yarn!) because it's pleasing to the eye and hands. So shop at elann.com and buy those good yarns at deep discounts. You can always return the unused skeins for a store credit if you decide the yarn isn't right for you.
Also, those other knitters are right: if you don't like what you've done, then rip it out and start anew. Your technique will improve with every row and your confidence will grow. I wish you well! Robin |
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