Here comes another blogpost about a sweater I really want to have. However, things are complicated (see it’s beginnings here). It’s a process and I wonder if you are up to reading it. Who knows. Maybe some day someone will knit the Birkin sweater and then my writings might be helpful. At least, that is what I am hoping for.
Plus, this time I am actually convinced that things will work out. Finally!
So, what’s new?
I started over with a provisional cast-on below the neckband, casting on stitches for an L-size sweater. Then, I modified the increases between flowers and second green twine according to the instructions for an M-size sweater. Finally, I skipped the last row of increases altogether.
Above all, yellow is back in the game. Believe it or not – those cheerful yellow dots make me happy! ☀️
In the meantime, I started knitting the neckband to check its width and correct fit. I still need to decide whether I want it to be a folded neckband (grey on the outside, green on the inside). Karen Templer wrote a great „how to“ on her blog that really inspires me.
Last night was the first try-on and – at least for now – everything is just the way I wanted it to be. The yoke may be slightly too powerful, slightly too many rows, which may give me too much room below the armpits but maybe it’s fine for a loose fit sweater. Once, I have knit some more of the body, I will know.
It’s getting there! Yay!
Right after seeing those hexagons on her Instagram account, I asked her whether it is really so much fun to make them. One word led to another, a quick shoptalk on casting on and binding off, basking and reveling in creativity and sock yarn designs and – BANG! – I was caught in the same trap. A few hours later, my first hexagon was done (at the gym. Perfectly matching the ground, don’t you think?).
Since then, I knit one per day. Tiny balls of yarn, a circular knitting needle and filling (bits and pieces of leftover yarn) are my everyday companion and every time I have to wait (at the gym, the doctor, the underground, anywhere) I knit a few rows. Yarn and color according to my mood.
It may not become a blanket (as I don’t like the idea), but chair pads (if that is the correct term). I haven’t really thought a lot about joining them, but there is still plenty of time to do that (suggestions anyone?). Haxagons divided in halves are on my list. They might come in handy. Today’s hexagon is not yet made. I might give my first half hexagon a try.
Such a fun knit. All was well. At least that is what I thought. Until Kathi (justifiably so) remarked that the stitch definition of the yellow yarn was awkward. Until 
Somehow distracted, I managed to make a mistake, and all of a sudden my stitch count was not according to pattern any more. I did not even bother to take a picture. Instead, I frogged again. Annoying, but no drama. All good things come in threes.
The circumference at the bottom was fine (positive ease just like I had wanted it), however, the sweater was way too tight around my shoulders. I would have to be drop-shaped or without shoulders at all (or the size of my son) to be able to actually wear it.
So I frogged it again. This is how you learn … Then I went to bed. The last picture is where I am at right now. But I won’t give up. I am already counting and pondering how to make this pattern work for my yarn and my body.