Monday, February 04, 2008

Big Wool Too Small

Back in November I wanted to knit up a shawl for my sister-in-law for Christmas. I felt as though she deserved a yummy hand knit. She wanted a big, comfy wrap -- rectangular and knit on the diagonal. She came to the yarn store with me and picked out some big wool. I was set. I knit it up. It went fast. So fast that I didn't have the time to really analyze what was happening. I never had time to gather myself and get some perspective. I'd say it took one, maybe two football games, so a Sunday afternoon, and there it was. A big brown ugly blanket.



There was no way this was going to be her gift. Mind you, the yarn cost about $100, so I wanted it to look a bit nicer! I got her a different Xmas present and ripped out the wrap.

A few weeks ago, after being seduced by the idea of a "speedalicious sweater" from Curly Purly, I knit up Brigitta. Without remembering the earlier lesson about speed and perspective, the lack thereof.

I thought, hmm, I'm getting 9.5spi instead of 9spi. I'll be okay b/c I'll knit the large size and I'm a M/L -- it'll be fine. Then right before I sat down to knit it, the BackBou convinced me to knit the M size ("you always wear big, loose things -- make it more fitted this time"). So, completely forgetting my previous swatching and decision about gauge, I knit the M size. What on earth is wrong with me? I ask you!

It went fast. Very, very fast. I am not a fast knitter (as you can plainly see from my dearth of FOs -- I knit all the time and have very little to show for it!). I grew intoxicated by my Big Wool speed. It was like I was on speed. I had no discernment, no discretion, no idea how friggin small this was going to actually turn out because I felt like a champion speed knitter.



I really don't like it. Some friends have tried it on and it looks smashing on them. Those people size S or S/M would look great in it. That is not me. I am going to put this up for the Richmond Waldorf School Auction in March (right about the time everyone is feeling like Spring and no one wants a big wooly sweater). It has now become one of those knits that I just want out of my life. I could barely bring myself to take a picture of it.

Pattern: Brigitta
Yarn: Rowan Big Wool
Needles: US 15s
Modifications: I made the sleeves shorter, not flared and just knitted a garter border.

Now, to wipe that off your brain, here is sock one of my Socks for Veronique. Ahhhh ... back to US 1s!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think it turned out great - it's nice that you are going to put it up for the auction.

Pretty sock!

Christie said...

What a bummer, it looks so cute! But I understand just wanting it out of your life.

Suzanne said...

I had the same non-luck with big gauge knits--can u say Knitzanity as the hairy gorilla? I swore I would never knit another sweater for myself that was more than 16st/4 inches UNLESS it was super fitted or lacy or some other exception. Tiny girls can wear big gauge and look ingenue or gamine but I just look like a nursing mother, or more correctly like a COW.

Good idea to donate it to the auction!

Sally said...

Oh poo. Don't you hate it when that happens? Both FOs are lovely IMHO. Keep on truckin' Ann!

Liz K. said...

Well, we're all due a loser every once in a while. This was yours. At least it is going to a good cause.

Anonymous said...

Awe that's a bummer that you didn't like the way it turned out, I think it's a cute style but I agree, smaller needles are more of my favorites than bulky stuff. Your new sock is very pretty! =)

MandellaUK said...

It's going to make someone very happy.

Marnie said...

oh. i feel so guilty.

Laurie (Moo!) said...

The sweater is so nice. I'm sorry it's not for you. :-(

And you "sent" me to CocoKnits. Great patterns! Thanks...I think. :-)

nova said...

At least it's going to a good cause, I think it looks great; but, if you aren't happy with it, yes, rid it from you life. That sock, however, very, very nice.