Knitting can be such a crap shoot. Sure, you can knit a little doll or maybe a dog blanket on the fly and it turns out great but when it comes to knitting--for yourself, especially--you might find, after you do try it on, it is time for a cocktail.
Or, in my case, fewer cocktails. I am usually a size six, sometimes a four and sometimes a two (due to vanity sizing at the likes of The Gap, et al, which is another subject altogether and in my mind they need to banish it, big time, sheesh).
So, here we go: I'm knitting along with a class I'm teaching. It's all about knitting round-yoke top-down sweaters. We're doing the math and trying on as we go. Thing is, I let my personal duct tape dummy go a few months ago during a closet clean-out and decided to use my trusty dress form (dress size six) that I use when I design for books/magazines. This usually works well for me because I know that whatever sample I'm making needs to be a little snug on the dress form. But for me? Uh. . . a little looser . . . in the middle section.
But as of today, I have decided that I've let myself go. I guess I figured that as long as my upper arms, bust and thighs haven't changed that I'm all good.
I'm not.
It's my middle.
I'm owning up:
Just like I told my sister when she first became pregnant and had morning sickness, "No matter how sick you feel, the good news is, being pregnant means that for the first time in your life you'll relax your abs."
My problem is, it has been nine years since Girlfriend was born and I'm still relaxing them.
(I don't like how I finished the bottom, so I'm ripping and re-knitting. Plus, I'll add a couple inches. My belly hiked that sucker up way higher than I thought it would. This is why trying an in-progress sweater onto your own body and not your perfectly shaped dress form is worth the extra five minutes of your time.)
BTW: This is Cascade Eco. I love that it has taken one skein so far. I'll use the second one (just a tiny bit of it) to finish the sleeves. I think they'll be short.
this is so. true.
Posted by: flossie | April 12, 2012 at 05:11 PM
I frogged an entire sweater last weekend. I was just about to sew it together when I decided to just pin it and try it on first. According to Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton I'm a 38 bust! For the past 37 years Victoria Secret and I thought I was a 34. Hey I'll have a place to carry my knitting!
Posted by: jomamma | April 12, 2012 at 05:43 PM
Looks great on the form though... I recently "invested" in Try It on Tubing (using the quotes cuz it's NOT expensive at all, and the customer service is amazing!) BEST tool ever for trying on as you go. Slip it on the end of your needle, try on, your stitches don't fall off, pull it off and you're right back to work. Awesome!
Posted by: Pauline | April 12, 2012 at 06:19 PM
The dress form doesn't have that relaxed ab look!
Posted by: Wendy | April 12, 2012 at 06:24 PM
It really looks nice on the form! I wish I could have taken the class. Actually, I hope you'll make this design up into a pattern for sale - I really like it.
Posted by: Sammie | April 12, 2012 at 08:44 PM
Hmmm...... I really like the looks of that sweater. Pattern Please!
Posted by: Trixie | April 12, 2012 at 09:21 PM
What a cute sweater! Love it!
Posted by: KarenVR | April 13, 2012 at 01:31 AM
Would love a tutorial - have never knitted top down and this looks like a great project to learn a new technique!
Posted by: Mrspresidio | April 13, 2012 at 07:33 AM
I always forget my extra relaxed tummy until I try to button the sweater. Damn.
Posted by: Rebecca | April 13, 2012 at 08:02 AM
Thank you for this. I am not great about measuring myself (I do it for sweaters, but it is hard to take perfect measurements), so quite a number of my sweaters look better on an imaginary body rather than mine.
Posted by: Seanna Lea | April 13, 2012 at 08:10 AM
I love cascade eco yarn - great for trying patterns and experimenting before going to some really expensive yarn.
Posted by: Linda | April 13, 2012 at 08:59 AM
Love it! Please make a pattern for us! Thanks. :)
Posted by: Susan H | April 13, 2012 at 01:15 PM
The pattern is super. Would you consider an on line class sometime?
Marie
Posted by: Marie Roche | April 13, 2012 at 04:05 PM
Marie,
I guess I'd have to figure out how to conduct one online!
Posted by: Wendy | April 13, 2012 at 04:49 PM
That sweater looks nice without sleeves. It would be cute layered over a long sleeved t-shirt, then you could change whatever color you put under it depending on how you felt that day. Or when it's warmer, worn with nothing underneath.
Posted by: Kathy S | April 14, 2012 at 09:14 AM
It looks beautiful. . . I especially like the neckline.
Women's sizing. . . what a joke! lol
Posted by: Boo | April 14, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Just BBEAUTIFUL!
Posted by: Che | April 15, 2012 at 07:16 PM
just wait until you are hit by the 50s. Suddenly everything shifts down to your waist...(at least it did with me!) My ducktape body form seemed to gain the weight in her stomach area also. I guess a few months in the closet, the tape loosened up. It must be a sign!
:)
Posted by: robinvk | April 16, 2012 at 06:57 AM
I have a cardigan which I started a few years ago...and have finished up to the part where I have to make the button bands and stitch everything together. I made it out of doubled Cascade to meet a certain gauge and there is a twist going on. I haven't blocked any of the pieces. I am SO planning on this cardi to fit me anyway...and since I keep the heat down here in Seattle, WA., it will be a good house cardi. It's a sweater in progress that I hope I CAN wear!
Posted by: Margie | April 19, 2012 at 05:54 PM