What can I say? I buckled down and finished this darn thing. Sewing the grosgrain was a labourious task. The grosgrain was very stiff and I poked myself and bled all over the cardigan, not once but 3 times. I'm not talking little pricks with mini blood droplets, but big droplets, enough blood for me to haul out the bandaids. Even writing about it makes my fingers throb with the pain.
There are many, many problems with taking 5 years or so to finish a garment, aside from the fact that one might be a bit meatier than when they started Fashion too might have changed. Thank goodness Rowan sweaters like these are classics, and are as wearable now as 5 years ago. 5 years or so ago, waistbands were higher than the hipsters of today. So while I had added an inch to the body length, with hipster, I needed to add at least another 2 more. I had most certainly not planned to have my midriff exposed with every arm movement. I guess a wearing a camisole beneath this cardigan will be de rigueur.
Now, I remembered (vaguely) that I knitted the size that gave me a 40 inches on the bust. The tiny buttons, slightly strained on the model in the magazine, made me realise that a bit more ease than suggested might be more appropriate for someone on the other side of 25 30.
Saffron is actually, a rather boxy design. It's much more boxy than I remembered. In fact, even if I hadn't sucked my tummy in, and let it all hang out, it's not snug at all.
To deal with the gaping button bands in the original design, I added an extra button. I'm sure that I actually meant to add 2 extra buttons, but my maths must had been off that day since I have 1 button left over...or maybe I bought an extra button as a spare incase I lost one.
I really did have a traumatic experience sewing in the button band. I couldn't figure out how to make buttonholes on my sewing machine either, so for the moment, the grosgrain has holes cut for the buttons ( and I really had to jam some of those buttons through, but I haven't figure out how to stop the ribbon from fraying. Any bright ideas? I still have a length of grosgrain to try this again, but maybe this time, I'm going to enlist the aide of an expert.
I did read about Emy lengthening the sleeves on hers, but I kept mine the length in the book. I rather like the bracelet length in the design.
Tthe Rowan 4 ply cotton wrinkles rather easily. This is not one cardi that, you can crumple up and wear, unless you want to look crumpled up.
Saffron is from Rowan Magazine 25 (one of my favourite Rowan magazines), the designer is Kim Hargreaves. I should had finished it a long time ago... but what the heck, I can wear it now and if the buttonholes fray too much, I can always try to put in another length of ribbon (This time, properly, without shortcuts, under the watchful eye of an expert.)
Here's the artistic shot.
Who knows, you might get a better photo next time (I'll windex the mirror first ), but the in-house photographer was exhausted from tending to his bedding plants.
oh polly... saffron looks lovely on you!
you always choose the good/classic ones :)
You finished it! Fantastic - it looks so good, I rememember when it was just a few inches of 4-ply. Beautiful.
I would hand stitch the buttonholes in the old fashioned way but all the postings about Fray Check sound very reasonable.
Posted by: sam at April 14, 2007 09:47 PMIts a really pretty sweater! Love the colour..
Posted by: Mira at April 14, 2007 05:24 PMI think it is gorgeous and I love the colour, grosgrain is a beast but worth it.
Posted by: Juliet at April 14, 2007 12:50 AMJust beautiful! I love the color and the delicate addition of the beads. I vote for Fray-Chek on the grosgrain as well; works like a charm.
Posted by: Anne at April 13, 2007 01:47 PMThe sweater was sure worth the wait! Really beautiful! I came across a self-facing technique for the buttonhole band while working a Rowan #31(?) pattern called Smoulder by Kaffe Fassett. I like how it works with a finer guage cotton. the edge is a stitch slipped purlwise and two yarnover buttonholes are worked across to match up after folding over. Makes a very neat edge on the band! I will be using the old ribbon for the neck and shoulders for reinforcement and to prevent stretching. Again, kudos to you!
Posted by: Michelle at April 13, 2007 01:35 PMIts gorgeous Polly, I find FrayCheck works on grosgrain, on ordinary ribbon it makes it a bit hard.
Posted by: yvette at April 13, 2007 11:39 AMSaffron is so pretty. If you make boxy tops too long it look frumpy. Much better to keep short and wear tank top inside.
Posted by: Li at April 13, 2007 07:56 AMThe Saffron looks beautiful! It doesn't look at all as if you've been through all the blood and grosgrain ribbon annoyance.
Others have mentioned clear nail polish, which I use to stop fraying ribbon ends. It works but it's smelly and can make the fabric stiff. I prefer using something called Fray Block, which doesn't have an odor, has a nice sharp applicator tip, dries quickly and non-tacky. I find it leaves ribbon fairly soft after application.
However, you might have a hard time finding it in the UK, I couldn't find any UK web stores listing it, although there was one place in B.C. Here's a US link:
https://www.nancysnotions.com/NNVia/viaImagePageTacony.jsp?pgName=viaListProducts.jsp&searchText=JT377&row=2
I think its a fab FO, well done!
Posted by: Kat at April 12, 2007 05:57 PMBeautiful!
For a really quick, easy and "sloppy" way to help with the fraying - clear nail varnish just on the edges. Try it on a scrap first though.
Posted by: Susan @Damn, Knit & Blast It at April 12, 2007 09:09 AMIt's lovely Polly - the colour and beads are gorgeous. I would probably use the buttonhole setting on my machine tho' I would practice first with a little knitted swatch and the ribbon as sewing 2 differently texured fabrics together can be tricky !
Posted by: Heather at April 12, 2007 08:45 AMMy sewing machine has a special button hole setting. I have to whip out the manual every time I want to use it. My mom's has a separate attachment (which she - shockingly - refers to as a "button-holer"). You might be able to do the button holing embroidery through the sweater and catching the ribbon also. I'd try it on a swatch first (since you have the extra button and all).
Another option is to embroider the button hole by hand. This will be very time consuming I would imagine and might still cause fraying if you get to close the edge or use too large a needle.
Saffron looks good. I've only been knitting since October, but, so far, it hasn't taken me more than 8 weeks to finish any project (Dale of Norway sweater - my longest lasting project to date). I'm fascinated by the sheer number of projects many knitters have going at once and wonder if anything would inspire me to join the ranks. My knitting instructor counted that she has 51 projects on needles (and has never abandoned a project since she started knitting). So far, I've never had more than 2-3 projects at once.
Posted by: Jennifer at April 11, 2007 10:08 PMI would like to tell you you make very beautiful knits.
I have started a kintalong on your Kiri scarf. You can see that (in French, I am sorry) on : www.fatkalkiri.canalblog.com.
Thank you very much for publishing the explanations of the scarf!
Posted by: Ninou77 at April 11, 2007 08:42 PMi love it, especially the beads.
Does that mean that you're not going to do the embroidery?
Posted by: karen at April 11, 2007 07:52 PMVery classy. I love it dahling, you look smashing, simply smashing!
Posted by: Tracey at April 11, 2007 05:49 PMThe sweater is lovely and classic. I think it is just fine to show a little camisole at the waist!
I would take some scrap ribbon and try different adhesives (fraycheck, other anti-fray products [I have run into at least one that does not super stiffen the fabric], superglue, ...) for the buttonholes.
Posted by: Kat at April 11, 2007 04:41 PMOh, I wish I had a suggestion for you about the buttonholes, but someone else will come through for you, I'm sure! :-)
It's lovely. Aren't you glad you persevered? ;-)
Posted by: Beth S. at April 11, 2007 03:43 PMWell done on finally finishing it - it looks great and the little details are perfect.
Posted by: AmyP at April 11, 2007 01:58 PMThat looks really pretty. Your health to wear it.
Posted by: Kathleen at April 11, 2007 12:56 PMFraycheck can really stiffen fabric in an unpleasant way. I recommend trying different reinforcement techniques on a bit of scrap ribbon first. For instance, sporting goods stores sell a good fabric tape that might work very well.
Posted by: Katie at April 11, 2007 12:33 PMFraycheck can really stiffen fabric in an unpleasant way. I recommend trying different reinforcement techniques on a bit of scrap ribbon first. For instance, sporting goods stores sell a good fabric tape that might work very well.
Posted by: Katie at April 11, 2007 12:33 PMYou go gal! I am now thinking if I should be lengthening mine, like you said so that my midriff gets some cover. (assuming if I have some leftover somewhere?!)
The original length does require some getting used to as it seems to be hitting a rather unflattering spot for me.
Or would ripping it out be the answer? :(
I love the sweater! You're so much braver than I am. I normally take my ribbon facing to the tailor and beg him to sew it!
Posted by: 4-ply Katie at April 11, 2007 09:41 AMIt's lovely Polly, and isn't it great to finish a long time ufo?! Hopefully the ribbon won't fray too much. You're very brave, sewing in ribbon and matching up buttonholes!
Posted by: dawn at April 11, 2007 09:28 AMWell, it does look lovely, and worth it after all the effort, time and bleeding and all. It is a classic design and I much prefer it in this colour than the original in the pattern.
Why did you need to use the ribbon? Was it necessary for the pattern in some way?
Posted by: desiknitter at April 11, 2007 07:13 AMIt's gorgeous!
Posted by: Romi at April 11, 2007 06:36 AMI'm with Cathy on the Fray Check. If you can't find it, try glue.
It's a lovely colour isn't it?
Posted by: Caroline M at April 11, 2007 06:21 AMDefinitely looks better on you than on the hanger or the bed ;o) !!
Lovely colour too =)
Posted by: Rain at April 11, 2007 05:30 AMGorgeous sweater! Check your fabric store for something called "Fray Check" it's one of the best things ever. Should help your button hole edges.
Posted by: Cathy at April 11, 2007 02:57 AMLovely sweater!
Posted by: eyeleen at April 11, 2007 02:19 AMI love the allover textured pattern, very pretty!
And the bleeding....ouch!
Oooh, I like it. This'll be a wardrobe workhorse.
Posted by: colleen at April 11, 2007 02:07 AMIt's a very pretty sweater. I love the color and the textured pattern is very nice.
Posted by: Wanda at April 11, 2007 02:00 AMSaffron came out beautifully. Must say, it looks even better on you than on the bed. I like the color you picked.
Ang
Posted by: angelarae at April 11, 2007 01:35 AMlove the cardi. good on you for sticking with it! details fantastic. don't you love rowan patterns!
Posted by: susan at April 11, 2007 01:23 AMLove the Saffron cardigan, and I think it looks so nice on you too. Worth all the blood and tears, and I would definately stitch around the buttonholes so that they dont fray too much.
Posted by: Sue at April 11, 2007 01:18 AMIt looks great! Such a feminine sweater!
Go ahead ad cut the buttonholes and do a hand sewn buttonhole/blanket stitch around the hole.
Posted by: Debi at April 11, 2007 01:07 AMWho says knitters don't suffer for their art? It looks lovely Polly!!
Posted by: meg at April 11, 2007 12:18 AMPolly, Saffron looks fantastic on you, well done on finishing it. You've convinced me that it is definitely one I need to cast on, I have the 4 ply cotton for it and just need to sort out the beads. I'm actually being allowed a few days off at the end of the month, perhaps I can cast on for it then.
Is the Grosgrain vital or could something else substitute?
Posted by: Louise at April 11, 2007 12:06 AMFabulous Polly - and as you say a classic design.
Posted by: carol at April 10, 2007 11:19 PM