In Triplicate
As it turns out, both the mirror and the mannequin were lying.
Once pinned and slipped on, it was in fact a bit too low-cut. Honestly, not by enough to matter, given that I’m going to be wearing a camisole underneath, but that wound up being moot. Because, as it turns out, the slope of the neckline and where the slope of that neckline falls really, really matters. And the neckline I had fudged was just too steep, without enough boobage holding it in place, and it gaped like all get-out. Really, it looked awful.
So! Third time’s the charm.
On the bright side, I really do think it’s going to work this time. The (tentatively) right solution wound up being the one I discarded at first for being “too simple to work right”: knit the neckline as specified in the pattern, fiddling only with what row of the sweater I started it on. On the other bright side, I can say with confidence that this yarn rips and re-knits like a dream! On the third bright side, I’m almost done re-knitting. I think I’ll have the front pieces out to re-block tonight (have already blocked the back and sleeves), and tomorrow I can start on the collar trim and the tie.
I’m thinking that I’ll need to insert some kind of fastener on the inside of the sweater to hold one, and possibly both fronts, in place. The yarn is really slick, and I don’t see the tie being as foolproof as I’d like when my tummy is involved. :) What do you folks recommend for that? Snaps? Velcro?
5 Comments so far
Leave a reply
I’d avoid velcro, because that’s just asking for snags. Snaps tend to pull in awkward ways, in my experience. I’d give ties a try, myself. I haven’t tried this, but you could always go for ties that attach to multiple places on each piece, if you want to hold a larger area together. I don’t know how to explain this without a diagram, but to get the idea, think about how lacing on a garment works. Snip the laces down the center, then replace the many places where they meet with one tie in the center; each side of the tie attaches to all the “laces” which each attach to the attachment points. One caution with this method: you do need to be careful to attach the “lace” parts at the appropriate length so that the tie doesn’t pull on different attachment points differentially. (It could make puckers.)
Well, it’s too bad that you have to do the fronts again, but at least you love the yarn! I’ve always found the saying,, “Third time’s the charm” to be true, I feel good about your Tulip coming out well this time.
Is there no fastener acounted for in the pattern for the front that sits inside the sweater? Or is there a tie attached that runs through the seam? I worry about snaps and Velcro, too. Velcro would pill the yarn arround it, and a snap needs both sides pressed into fabric, which would seem like one side would show through the front of the sweater. What about a ribbon sewed to the inside seam and the inside front, which you could tie together to hold it in place?
Like the others, I’m thinking ties would really work best - in a material that has more “grip” to it, like a fabric ribbon, rather than i-cords or anything made of that yarn itself.
Good thing you like the yarn, and that it reknits so well! I’d have thrown the thing out a window by now, but I’m definitely not known for patience when it comes to my knitting. Heh.
Ack, sorry you had to rip! But you’re doing the right thing. Good for you for hanging in there. It’s going to be worth it in the end.
I am sorry you are having such a hard time with Tulip but I am sure at the end you will really appreciate all the time you spent on it. It is going to be so beautiful when it is finished. I really like the twisted edging.