bring it on down to froggerville!

It is such a bummer to come to the realization that a sweater is just not working out.

Usually there is a process of denial - you keep knitting but there is a nagging voice in your head telling you something isn't right. Then that inner voice gives way to your sagest knitting advisors and friends, telling you something isn't right. But if you're like me, you will go through all possibly ways to salvage the projects, until the inevitable conclusion arrives: time to frog.

This is what has happened to my Diminishing Rib Cardigan.

You might remember this one from the cover of the Spring 2009 Interweave Knits. It looks sporty and comfy, with nice waist shaping. Even better, it's a top down raglan which means no seams to sew. My kind of sweater.

Except, once the body was done, I was less-than-pleased. The whole thing sits on my like a sack, and the neckline is big and sloppy looking. Not even a good blocking could make this neckline quite right for me. Nichole and I were taking a good look at it, at it on me, and at the picture of it on the cover of the magazine, and we began to notice some issues with the photo.

For one, if you look closely (the online photos are not high-res enough - grab the magazine if you happen to own it), the raglan lines are way up high on the model's shoulders, not running from front neck edge to armpit as they should be. This is a heavy implication of photo-doctoring. I also would beg to differ with the amount of waist shaping they display in the picture, and would venture to guess they have pulled this in the back a bit to give it more definition. While the ribs do indeed start at the waist and bring the piece in a bit, the gauge change is not significant enough to give that much shaping.

I know finishing the sleeves would give the piece more shaping and structure, but after some time to stew on this whole thing I decided I just couldn't continue. I am using the most beautiful handspun merino yarn, created by the lovely and talented Paula Webb, and it's just too nice to waste on a so-so sweater.

So a'froggin' it shall go.

Riiiiiibbiiit.

Comments

[Chantal B]

You're right... doesn't look nice. The yarn is too beautiful for that project. Curious, I went through Ravelry after have read your post. It's seems that a lot of the knitters made some changes on the pattern. It's too bad to choose a non perfect pattern for a front page magazine! And I understand you to keep going although you felt it wasn't right. I do the same... You have my sympathy! Tell yourself that your next project won't need you to take money from your wallet!

[Yvonne]

If you look at the Knitting Daily gallery for the sweater you can see that it isn't anywhere near as fitted as the photo in the magazine: http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/26156.aspx

That is really disappointing.

[Julia]

Bummer, Sarah. I'm glad you finally decided to rip it so it won't sit and taunt you. Thanks for trying this before me - I'm wiping it out of my queue. Now I need to pick a new sweater for my Paula yarn too!