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Get this thing off of me!

August 14, 2005 By grumperina

It is so HOT, I cannot believe I’m prancing around in this thing:

Yarn: ONline Linie 76 Cup, color 06 (52% schurwolle, 48% polyacryl). Total of 9 skeins (with only a yard or so left over!). I absolutely adore this yarn, it has such personality. As I was knitting, I found myself looking forward to funky yarn sections, and crossing my fingers that they would end up front and center, not at the edge :).

Needles and gauge: US 9 Addi Turbo, 15 sts/22 rows per 4” square.

Finished measurements: 37” bust, 22.5” shoulder to hem.

List time!

I made up the pattern for this wrap sweater myself, but I think the result would have been identical if I were to take some wrap pattern, and adjust it for my gauge and size. I decided to keep everything very simple in this sweater for three reasons:

  • I wanted to showcase the lovely yarn.
  • I whipped up the pattern in a very short amount of time.
  • I am sick and tired of dealing with complicated sweaters.

Sweater wrap simplicities:

  • The edging at the hem and sleeves is 1 row of purl on the right side. That’s it.
  • The edging along the sweater opening is a modified i-cord designed by Annie Modesitt (more details here).
  • The neck opening in the back has just a little bit of shaping and no edging – I picked up some stitches, and then bound them off on the next row.
  • The right and left fronts are mirror images of one another. So are the two sleeves ;).
  • The sleeves are hardly shaped: 1/2″ decreased at the forearm, then 1.5″ increased to the armpit.
  • There is no hip/waist/bust shaping. At all! Because the wrap fits snugly around my body, I didn’t think it was really needed. Now that the wrap is done, there’s only one place where just a few decreases would have been an added bonus – above my beeee-hind ;).
  • I didn’t wet-block this as I typically would. Instead, I ironed it on high with high steam through a thin pillowcase. Let me tell ya, if there’s one thing I know, it’s how to iron (thanks, Mom and Grandma!). The fabric stretched slightly after ironing (my sleeves are a bit longer now), but it’s not a big deal at all considering that in a chunky garment like this, flat seams take off the 10 pounds the camera adds and then some.
  • There is one button securing the “under” front, and no other buttons or ties.
  • Even the pin is simple! I did buy a few fancy pins at department stores downtown, but will return them all in favor of this little DIY number I made at Beadworks:

    I know, not very creative – it totally matches. I did play around with other color arrangements, and I must say, dark green looks great against the color of the sweater, but I was tired, hot, and cranky, and the store was amazingly crowded (with tourists, toting around huge shopping bags, I just don’t get it!), so I caved in and matched.

Do I love it? Yeah! I mean, I think so… ask me again when the weather has cooled down by at least 20 degrees ;).

Seriously, the ironing made all the difference.

   

Before, the wrap just sort of sat on my body with every seam protruding half an inch into the air. The hems and edgings curled slightly in an unflattering way, and the doubled fabric on my belly really stood out. After, the fabric is thinner, the seams are flat, and the wrap really follows the lines and curves of my body instead of just sitting there.

P.S. Always fill your iron with bottled or filtered water – the mineral deposits in tap water clog up the steam vents and cause nasty white chalky crap to be spit up all over your stuff. And it’s hell to get out of handknits ;).

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Comments

  1. Beth says

    August 14, 2005 at 1:43 pm

    OH, it’s just gorgeous…great job!

  2. Christie says

    August 14, 2005 at 2:43 pm

    I am totally giving you a standing ovation on this sweater! I must admit, it is one of the most flattering, beautiful sweaters I’ve seen on someone’s blog! To color is wonderful and I love the pin. All that added to the fact that you made it up yourself? BRAVO!!!

  3. CatBookMom says

    August 14, 2005 at 2:47 pm

    SG, once again you’ve scored a winner! It’s a lovely color on you and the fit is just great! One of these days I will *actually* get started on a sweater or cardi for myself out of all the projects on my WIMs list and in my stash. I hope your consulting rate isn’t too high. LOL!

  4. Karen B says

    August 14, 2005 at 3:09 pm

    The wrap sweater is amazing and so very flattering. The vertical DIY pin is the perfect finishing touch.

    Brava!

  5. Leslie says

    August 14, 2005 at 3:13 pm

    I love it. You look so slinder and beautiful in that color and shaping. I would love the pattern. Maybe you would be willing to share it sometime????

  6. Lauren says

    August 14, 2005 at 3:14 pm

    WOW! Perfect.

  7. Carolyn says

    August 14, 2005 at 3:16 pm

    It turned out fabulously! I love it, its looks great on you. Love the pin…perfect. Bravo!

  8. Leanne says

    August 14, 2005 at 3:25 pm

    Wonderful job! I can’t believe you could knit this in all this heat, you are amazing. Very flattering pattern and the colorway is beautiful.

  9. Jennifer says

    August 14, 2005 at 3:26 pm

    Lovely sweater and the pin is very nice and perfect for the sweater. Nicely done.

  10. Karma says

    August 14, 2005 at 3:33 pm

    Oooooh, I like, I like! You look fantastic in this color and shape. Well done, you. And thanks for the tip about the water in the iron; I’ve been wondering why my iron spits white chalky stuff out. Ta da!

  11. kris says

    August 14, 2005 at 3:33 pm

    yeah! congrats! you look great and the wrap cardi is fantastic. i hope you’re proud of yourself!

  12. Felicia says

    August 14, 2005 at 3:38 pm

    It looks fabulous, Kathy! Congratulations. It fits you perfectly! All work paid off, eh?

  13. blossom says

    August 14, 2005 at 3:41 pm

    the wrap cardi looks fantastic! congrats on a wonderful job!

  14. Purly Whites says

    August 14, 2005 at 3:42 pm

    Absolutely fabulous! I hope you actually wear this one!

  15. Kim says

    August 14, 2005 at 4:09 pm

    Beautiful!!! Just Beautiful!!

  16. Rosa says

    August 14, 2005 at 4:34 pm

    I have been waiting for the finished results, and it is breathtaking. I love it. I love the added touch of the pin. It is a hit! I hope you enjoy it.

  17. Jaime says

    August 14, 2005 at 4:42 pm

    Your wrap is really cute! The color really compliments you. And the yarn is beautiful with its’ flecks of color here and there.

  18. jacqueline says

    August 14, 2005 at 4:42 pm

    i can’t believe you knitted and finished your wrap cardi so quickly. it looks absolutely fabulous!

  19. alicia says

    August 14, 2005 at 4:52 pm

    Your wrap turned out beautiful! I love the DIY pin–a perfect match. The color and the style are just lovely.

  20. Kara says

    August 14, 2005 at 5:31 pm

    Love it! The fit is dead on.

  21. June says

    August 14, 2005 at 5:35 pm

    Nicely done. You even look like you might be smiling in the photo.

  22. Laura says

    August 14, 2005 at 6:34 pm

    I have to echo everyone else’s comments: wonderful job, very flattering, the pin is perfect…and so on. And I love your P.S. I thought I was the only one who did that. (Though actually, I use distilled water from a lab if I can get it or similar water in a gallon jug from the grocery store!)

  23. Olyvia says

    August 14, 2005 at 6:52 pm

    You knitted my dream sweater. Love it.

  24. Agnes says

    August 14, 2005 at 6:52 pm

    I have to agree … the colour is absolutely lovely! I know you are happy with the sweater … you smiled! Keep on smiling, girl!

  25. Kim says

    August 14, 2005 at 7:28 pm

    Woo! It really does look nice.. and I totally know what you mean about the weather.. That’s the only thing that’s been stopping me from modeling my sweater for a picture.. I just can’t see wearin it for more than 2 seconds in this heat. Can’t do it!

  26. Jackie says

    August 14, 2005 at 7:41 pm

    You did it again! The sweater is gorgeous…you look soooooo happy!

  27. claudia says

    August 14, 2005 at 8:37 pm

    That design is very flattering on your figure. Today, however, was indeed not its day.

  28. Martha says

    August 14, 2005 at 8:47 pm

    The sweater came out really nicely! It looks great on you. The ironing really paid off, I guess, because it hangs very nicely and, as you say, doesn’t look bulky or curl up at the hem. And I love the pin you made. Green might have been nice too, but I like the matching color. But maybe you could make a second pin and have a whole pin wardrobe to go with the sweater.

    I’m impressed that you designed this yourself!

  29. Colleen says

    August 14, 2005 at 8:49 pm

    Yeah, it’s fantastic all right, and it looks perfect on you: shape, color, sizing. LOVE the pin!

  30. Michelle says

    August 14, 2005 at 9:50 pm

    I had the exact same experience at Beadworks! Tons of people, all with big bags and backpacks, sweltering heat. Bleh. If you ever need to go to a bead store again for any reason, let me know – I know a super one on the ocean, huge with no crowds. It would be a great “field trip”. Ok, now I am inspired to rip out the shoulder seams, frog the fronts and do it all over! It’s not so bad when you love the yarn.

  31. gale (she shoots sheep shots) says

    August 14, 2005 at 10:00 pm

    Love love love this sweater! Want to make it for myself – and I never find a wrap I like. When the weather returns us all to a normal orbit, will you consider writing up the pattern for us less talented types? Pleeease (said with a whine. its too humid not to whine).

  32. Andrea DM says

    August 14, 2005 at 10:06 pm

    The cardigan is great, the best quality it is the fit. Your work inspires me, I made the same front edging in my recent project and it´s perfect. I´ll send you a photo, and I have finished my tivoli too. Your designs are really great.

  33. lauray says

    August 14, 2005 at 10:07 pm

    Looks good on you! It’s amazing how you always manage to pull off a pattern so well and so quick! You go girl!

  34. Laura says

    August 14, 2005 at 10:32 pm

    Gorgeous! That is really so flattering. The color is perfect for you and the fit is so nice. Cardigans usually end up looking boxy and frumpy on me — maybe because I have never made one for myself. Yet another thing to put on the “to-knit” list!

  35. marichan says

    August 14, 2005 at 11:37 pm

    Such a beautiful sweater! It looks like it fits just perfectly. And the color is fantastic. I never cease to be amazed at your knitting skills!

  36. diana says

    August 15, 2005 at 6:38 am

    Fabulous! And the pin matches perfectly. I think that you’ll be wearing this sweater a lot this fall and winter.

  37. jody says

    August 15, 2005 at 6:48 am

    it looks great! i love the lines of the wrap and how they fall in just the right spot so they’ll stay where they should. nice work in figuring that out.

  38. Ann says

    August 15, 2005 at 8:35 am

    Omigosh Kathy, it’s gorgeous! Very flattering — you did a fantastic job on the design and shape. I bet you can’t wait for fall to come….

  39. alison says

    August 15, 2005 at 9:22 am

    Very pretty! That yarn is so neat. I have a sweater in it in green and sometimes I just stare at it, cause there’s so much going on. What a fun yarn for such a simple, elegant sweater.

  40. Diana says

    August 15, 2005 at 10:21 am

    Cute cute cute!

  41. Teresa C says

    August 15, 2005 at 10:22 am

    Perfect on you! You should “prance” around. Maybe today will be better for that though.

  42. emy says

    August 15, 2005 at 10:36 am

    Looks great! I’ll remember to start ironing my FOs from now on 🙂

  43. Stephanie says

    August 15, 2005 at 10:45 am

    Fabulous. Another winner by our fabulous Grumperina! Be careful, you’re gonna be a famous knitwear designer before you know it! I think the pin is perfect and am awed by the fit. I bow down to you, my knitting goddess 🙂

  44. caitlyn says

    August 15, 2005 at 10:46 am

    Kathy, the sweater looks wonderful!! Nice job. And thank you for the tip about using filtered/bottled water in the iron.

  45. Dani says

    August 15, 2005 at 11:21 am

    Beautiful! Wear it lots this winter as it fits you wonderfully!

  46. Jennifer says

    August 15, 2005 at 11:53 am

    I love it! It looks great on you!

  47. paula says

    August 15, 2005 at 12:09 pm

    Oh MY! It’s finished! And it looks GREAT!

    You know, it just looks like such a satisfying knit. Know what I mean? Like, it all just came together.

    Oh, and I’m a huge fan of the steam blocking. 😉

  48. Marisa says

    August 15, 2005 at 12:12 pm

    I absolutely love it! You are so very talented!

  49. Laurie says

    August 15, 2005 at 12:24 pm

    Hot damn! Great looking sweater with an awesome fit!

  50. beth says

    August 15, 2005 at 12:33 pm

    WOW!!!! Love it! You have out done your self again! Will you be sharing this pattern?? Perhaps a submission to one of the magazines? I agree with you on simple patterns.

  51. Joelene says

    August 15, 2005 at 1:03 pm

    As usual it is perfect! You constantly amaze me!

  52. sarah says

    August 15, 2005 at 3:48 pm

    please post additional pictures. it is a little hard to see the finished shape of the sweater…. great job.

  53. Winnie says

    August 15, 2005 at 3:59 pm

    It’s so stylish! I love the color and the way it fits.

  54. Kim says

    August 15, 2005 at 4:35 pm

    Gorgeous! Wonderful job! You look great.

  55. Laura Neal says

    August 15, 2005 at 11:40 pm

    Your sweater turned out so well. It is absolutely gorgeous on you! Be proud! Ever think about making your pins and selling them?

  56. Jane says

    August 16, 2005 at 10:29 pm

    What a great sweater! It turned out wonderful! Will you be selling the pattern?

  57. Lolly says

    August 17, 2005 at 12:31 pm

    Wonderful results! I love the way that yarn looks too. Great work on another great pattern.

  58. sara says

    August 17, 2005 at 4:55 pm

    This looks terrific. You conquered the wrap sweater!

  59. Tara says

    August 18, 2005 at 7:15 am

    That looks adorable on you! You really did a great job, and that yarn is fab!

  60. MJ says

    August 18, 2005 at 6:41 pm

    Wow, it looks great! I love the fit, the sleeve length, and the yarn color. Very sophisticated. Congrats on another beautiful pattern.

  61. Phyllis Hart says

    September 29, 2005 at 2:12 pm

    It looks great. Where did you find the yarn for it?

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