~IT'S ABOUT TIME!! FINISHED! PICS page 3~Fisherman Wool Cardigan - Page 2

Lighting57 · 07-31-2010, 04:01 PM

I have finished the cardigan, but I am not satisfied with the way the 2x2 ribbing buttonbands look. To me they take away from the look of the sweater, making the whole thing look homemade and not hand crafted. I'll never wear it if I feel it looks less than it should look. The curse of a perfectionist. No, I "ain't" perfect, but I strive to do all that I do the very best that I'm able, either until I get it right or prove to myself that it can't be done.

I plan to remove the buttonbands and I'm trying to decide what to do in their place. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Would a seed stitch border work well with the 2x2 cuffs, collar, and bottom?

I also thought about edging the fronts with I-cord trim and then sewing on a placket behind these with buttonholes.

I also thought about knitting 1x1 ribbbed vertical bands and sewing them in place.

Help me please! I want to get this finished so I can move on to other stuff.

Sorry, but I can't get the pictures to load here at home. The connection is to slow. I will have to wait until I can get back to the library.

nannaknits · 08-01-2010, 12:03 AM

Oh I am so sorry that your buttonbands didn't live up to expectations. I don't have any help for you there but I do have a suggestion for your blocking sheet. I use gingham fabric. It comes in one inch by one inch squares. I bought 2 yards and covered a piece of styrofoam that is used for insulating a garage door. They come in 4' x 6' (I think, I am on vacation so I can't measure to be exact) I have the grid to line things up and the styrofoam to push the pins into. Hope this helps. Nana

aprilbetty · 08-03-2010, 02:17 AM

Originally Posted by Lighting57

I have finished the cardigan, but I am not satisfied with the way the 2x2 ribbing buttonbands look. To me they take away from the look of the sweater, making the whole thing look homemade and not hand crafted. I'll never wear it if I feel it looks less than it should look. The curse of a perfectionist. No, I "ain't" perfect, but I strive to do all that I do the very best that I'm able, either until I get it right or prove to myself that it can't be done.

Did you pick up 3 stitches for every 4? That is what works for me.

Lighting57 · 08-05-2010, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by aprilbetty

Did you pick up 3 stitches for every 4? That is what works for me.

Aprilbetty, I picked up 2 out of three. Had I picked up 3 out of four, it may have looked better, but I still did not like the look of the buttonholes.

Here are three pictures of the details and finished cardigan.

I know it's hard for people to give advice without having pictures to view, but today is the first time I've been able to get to the library and upload these pictures.

In the mean time, I removed the buttonbands and I've made separate 2x2 ribbing vertical bands. I have finished the attaching the left side and I'm now working on the right side. The buttonholes are neatly enclosed in the purl stitches between the k2 columns.

The last two picture show the 2x2 vertical ribbing. I like the way the slipped stitches look along the outer edge too.

Lana · 08-05-2010, 04:27 PM

Well, personally I think "perfect", as humanly possible, is a good thing. I know I would have had changed it too.
You can already see the vertical band is a much nicer finish.
Really nice sweater.

How was that yarn to work with? I've seen it in stores, but it seemed a little rough to the touch, so I hesitate buying any.

So, what's next on your knitting agenda?

kmaclean · 08-05-2010, 07:07 PM

I agree with Lana ... the vertical band you created is a much nicer finish. Can't wait to see the final product!

aprilbetty · 08-06-2010, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by Lighting57

The last two picture show the 2x2 vertical ribbing. I like the way the slipped stitches look along the outer edge too.

Your edging looks professional!

Lighting57 · 08-06-2010, 02:44 AM

I like this yarn. It isn't as soft as say the superwash, but it is economical. Besides, I won't be wearing it next to my skin. When I get finished, I will have used just less than two skeins. I bought the yarn on sale. I'll have about $16.00 in the cost of yarn. I still have to search for buttons.

ArtLady1981 · 08-06-2010, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by Lighting57

Here are three pictures of the details and finished cardigan....The last two picture show the 2x2 vertical ribbing. I like the way the slipped stitches look along the outer edge too.

Oh this looks spectacular! I'm with you. I'm REAL FUSSY about buttonbands and buttonholes. There aren't too many buttonholes that I don't "tweak" and "modify" in some way, coming up with a little different formula for them.

I really do like the vertical bands that you added! Very streamlined and seamless and clean! Great job! I'll have to remember your trick! And, the seaming of the vertical bands will give it stability, too!

Lighting57 · 08-09-2010, 05:37 PM

Correction: Because of some of the yarn wasted with redoing the buttonbands, I had to start on the third skein.

I have finished the cardigan, all but the buttons. I'll have to wait until I can make a trip to purchase them. There is nothing here in my area that sales buttons other than the 2 or 3 you'll find at Wal-Mart.

This will be a utility sweater more or less. It was a trial piece to learn the ways of the Fisherman yarn and to decide if I would want to use it in the future when and if I am able to find that certain pattern for a more dressy garment.

I'll post a picture after I am able to get buttons.

Thanks everyone for your help and encouragement.