I guess some of you didn't think it looked terrible before. And, I thank you for that. However, I didn't give you the full view. It really was way too big after I blocked it. Too loose and boxy and baggy. And it was entirely my fault because I initially thought it was too tight. However, after re-blocking I got it exactly how I like it. A few thoughts about blocking: Everything I ever make, I block. Well, not my hats and gloves or scarves, but all of my sweaters. So many garments don't even get the proper drape until you block them. I do it all in the machine on the hand-wash setting and throw in a little bit of soap. As soon as the machine stops, I lay the garment out on a towel. I often take them outside and let them dry in the sun. I also measure using the measurements from the pattern according to the size I made. And many times I just base it on the fit before it is blocked. (I am that anxious knitter that sews the sweater together and then try's it on with all the yarn tails hanging everywhere.) I always block the finished garment and not just the pieces. (Like a lot of patterns instruct you to do.) And I try very hard to resist the temptation of trying on a wet sweater.
This pattern is great. Designed by Kat Coyle. A perfect combination of a stitch pattern and a stockinette. Just enough rickrack rib stitch to keep you busy and then giving you a little stockinette for those moments when you need a mindless knit.
This pattern is great. Designed by Kat Coyle. A perfect combination of a stitch pattern and a stockinette. Just enough rickrack rib stitch to keep you busy and then giving you a little stockinette for those moments when you need a mindless knit.It was the first time I worked with Classic Elites wool bam boo. It is unbelievably soft. I'm not sure I expected that.
Pattern: Rickrack Rib pullover
Yarn: Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo color 1649, blueberry, 8 balls
Needle Size: US 6
Alright. I'm onto the next. Something in a shade of purple. I'll be back soon to tell you all about it.
Have a great one!
70 comments:
Lovely and you look lovely in it!
I am short and a little(?) rounder, but I could do this with a couple more inches in length and I think it would work. Very nice job.
Such a pretty sweater! Do you have any advice for a newbie sweater knitter on seaming a sweater together? I feel a little lost and your sweater looks so wonderfully put together. Thank you for your blocking advice. ~Kelly
unDeniably Domestic
It's fabulous! I think bamboo always has a tendancy to stretch. I never block individual pieces; it just seems ludicrous to me. On the other hand, I just began blocking things recently...
I love this top! You look gorgeous!
The sweater is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your know-how on blocking. As a sweater novice, it seems very complicated!
I just love that ric rack stitch, it looks lovely on you!
Thanks for the thoughts on blocking. And the sweater looks lovely - and how fun that the yarn is called blueberry.
It's lovely!
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on blocking. I always block finished sweaters too - it does make a difference.
That is so flattering -- and a really striking color!
Looks like a perfect fit from here, very lovely on you.
I have to block my sweater pieces twice - individually (to make sure I'm still getting gauge) and another after it's all seamed up. I'm usually nervous that my seaming would pucker if I didn't do the first block and jumped right into the whole.
The sweater looks great on you! I'm glad that the second time blocking worked out. That yarn has a lot of give when it's wet.
Love the sweater on you and love the color of the yarn. I never block. I'm beginning to see the error of my ways. Hmmmm.
What a pretty sweater! I was one of those who thought it looked great before, and I still do, but I see now the great fit you were able to achieve.
I swear by blocking. Sure, I get impatient waiting for a sweater to dry, but 9 times out of 10 it makes a garment look about 100 times more professional. It's like magic!
So pretty! I love it:)
it's so lovely, leslie.
and thanks for your thoughts on blocking. i hate blocking, but it is necessary, isn't it?
Turned out beautiful in the end. Blocking always changes the garment, I love how this one turned out.
I still don't understand blocking...
What happens when you wash the sweater? Do you have to repeat the whole blocking thing all over again?
Why do you block, what yarns/garments require blocking, how do you do it, and how do you then wash/maintain the blocking?
Don't feel like you have to spend an afternoon asking my questions... if you could point me to a link that explains blocking that would be great. Thanks.
Thank you so much for explaining how you 'block' in detail - as a complete novice knitter and only on my first proper project that final stage which instructs you to 'block' has always scared me a little so I tend to ignore it!
I think it looks fabulous and I love your favorite wall ☺
Gorgeous pattern and such excellent yarn. Isn't blocking amazing. I'm glad you got the fit you were seeking the second time around.
Cheers.
what a gorgeous sweater! lovely work!
I haven't moved beyond scarves yet, but I will eventually.
That is lovely! And looks like a perfect fit. Your blocking tale now gives me hope the perhaps I can still salvage my Mermaid. It fit so well pre-blocking, but after got way too big. I had already decided to gift it to my mother, but maybe there is hope in a re-do? You've inspired me to try again. If you can get bamboo to "shrink" back up, maybe I can do it with my shetland wool. Fingers crossed! Thanks, Leslie, for sharing.
This is gorgeous! The color is lovely, and it fits like a dream!
Well, I think the extra work really payed off. Looks so great on you!
I'm so glad I popped over here. I hope to learn to knit one day (something other then a scarf or dish towel) and I was wondering how to block. I had asked my oldest sister who knits (and made me a beautiful vest this past winter) and she didn't know. I'm guessing what she had knit long ago didn't necessarily need to be blocked? Now I can share and also store the info away for myself.
What I most excited about, however, is something in that shade of purple. Yum. I totally have a purple thing going as you may recall from past conversations in this wonderful space. And something in that shade of purple will totally match your awesome summertime nail polish. Yes, purple, the color of grapes that become a delicate wine to dance the jig and sing a song within as you savor each wonderful sip in good company. rockin' shockin' good! :)
XXOO
Leslie, I love it. it looks great. thanks for all the tips on blocking. i am going to do it your way now. I have always blocked my stuff in the sink, and waited forever for them to dry. your way sounds much better!
it certainly looks like a winner for the summer. I love it with the white pants!
It's lovely! Color, fit, everything! :D
Perfect! Have a great weekend Leslie!
The sweater came out beautiful... Both times. :-)
Oh, it is so fab. What a great color, too. Darn. As always, I am tempted to join you. Especially since the one I'm working on isn't doing what it's supposed to and is ready for a time out...
Well it certainly isn't boxy or baggy now (not that I thought that the first time).
Very pretty. I'm sure that colour is gorgeous with your lovely blonde hair.
Wow I can't believe how much smaller you were able to make it with blocking! This is good to know! :)
Thanks for the pattern link. I've been SEARCHING for a scoopneck pullover lately!
I still just love the vibrant color of this piece, it seems, to me, to be a very happy sweater!
What a pretty sweater - love the colour and the style. Glad you are happy with it now - I must try blocking on my next knitting project - sounds like it will make all the difference.
this is just perfect. and why i have such a hard time posting pics. you seem to always have a perfect fit. my sweaters always seem to be too big. i have a narrow torso and find a lot of patterns need adjustment. anyway, i agree with your blocking method. thanks for sharing it. and i love the color you chose! gorgeous.
Gorgeous!
It really is stunning, and the color is amazing!! Glad you are happy with it!!
Suzanne
It's perfect! It's fantastic you could "save" it by re-blocking. It's interesting to hear how you block - I am also impatient in only blocking the entire garment after trying it on :)
I still love it....Thanks for the suggestions on blocking...I'll have to block my sweater soon!
Lovely sweater! What a beautiful fit and color for you.
so I get the blocking process. my question is do you have to "block" so to speak everytime you wash a garment? this maybe a dumb question but I imagine sweaters taking whatever shape they want everytime they get washed.
okay okay you are right it looks better and isn't falling off your shoulders! you were so right!
This is perfect on you - the blue is just gorgeous!
Its interesting to hear how you bolck things. I am always a little scared when I put the garment into the water! I am glad the sweater is now good and how you want it, its lovely.
It looks great! Very nice blue. I bet you are going to wear it a lot. Congratulations!
it looks wonderful on you!
It looks so great!
Yup, still a super awesome sweater!
I always block the whole thing and not the pieces, too. I sometimes can't resist trying on the damp (no longer wet!) sweater, though. Gak!
It does loook like it fits you better now. Very pretty color for a very cute sweater! Thanks for talking a little more about blocking.
Very pretty! Love the color too!
This looks amazing on you! You did an incredible job with this top!
Love your sweater and thanks for the mini blocking tutorial! I haven't used bamboo, maybe subconsciously avoiding it? Good to know your thoughts on it!
It's beautiful. That's a gorgeous pattern
It looks so lovely on you! I love blocking too and I'm going to try your method the next time I block a sweater. :)
Absolutely beautiful! It's very cold in South Africa now and all I want to do is knit knit knit!! I love your blog and all the ideas are giving me a headache!
Love the arms most especially!
I'm late to the party - but you look lovely. That is a beautiful sweater in a great color. Enjoy. g
Looks fabulous on you!
stunning! just perfect on you!
Love this in blue...so pretty.
I made one just like it in a varigated rose. I think I like yours better!
Just beautiful!
It's gorgeous!!!
Perfect fit-I'm so glad it worked out!! And a lovely color. I am that anxious knitter too :)
Kat is such a talented designer, this is another of hers that I would love to make!
This is absolutely beautiful! I love the neckline!
Oh, this is sooo lovely! I want to make this. Would you classify this as an easy to intermediate knit (then I could handle it). I have never made a sweater for myself...this makes me want to try!
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