Thursday, July 28, 2005

It's a wonder

I finally got around to finishing my one-skein wonder! I started it on vacation and completed everything except the final 2 x 2 ribbed edging. Unfortunately, in my haste to pack everything, I forgot to pack the second skein of yarn. (Yes, it's a one-skein wonder...but the Manos Cotton Stria I chose has only 112 yards per skein, not quite enough to complete the project.)

So, I've been home from vacation and should have easily finished this sooner. But a little doubt crept in regarding the size. I went down a needle size to get the look I wanted, then knit two sizes larger than I would have needed. By my calculations, this put me right where I should have been regarding gauge and size. When I finished the sleeves, however, and tried this little wonder on, I was afraid it might be just a tad too tight under the arms. It was hard to tell, but I thought I'd hedge my bets, rip out the seed stitch trim on the arms, and knit a few more increase rows.

This is where I lost interest, at least for a week or so. I finally decided a couple of nights ago to just rip back, reknit and get the show on the road. I wove in the ends last night, and here's the final result.

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I've been wearing it today, and I'm already concerned about the stretch factor. I'm hoping that with a good washing (and possibly drying) this will get things back in shape. It may be that I should have stayed with the original size I'd planned, but I think it's still very wearable.

Were I to knit this in cotton again, I'd also consider knitting a 1 x 1 rib instead of 2 x 2, again to help with the stretch you always get with cotton. Other than that, the pattern is great and a fun, quick knit.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's so cute! I love the color. I ordered that pattern this morning and am excited to cast on!

Anonymous said...

Very cute, Leslie!!

Christine said...

Looks great. How did you like the Stria? Do you think you have to be gentle with it?

Judy said...

That is adorable. I love it!! I've been missing a lot of knit nights lately but I hope you bring it to one I finally get to.

Anonymous said...

OOOOhh, wish i had your patience. Your work is lovely.

Anonymous said...

Pleased you like Stanley the bear. I hope you enjoy knitting yours, too. Are you going to do a pink one?

Thea said...

hey, thanks for visiting and commenting on my bags - and I love the stria one skein wonder - I made a "grace" from an earlier knitty out of the same stuff and it does stretch a bit, but seems to hold a "new" shape after a few wearings, pretty well that's not too far off the original.

Elizabeth said...

The wonder is that a woman older than 25 can look so amazingly great in it! More power to you! Nice job!