Greetings dear Unravelers and happy last Wednesday of February!
It has been a month, hasn’t it? February in Pittsburgh contained almost all the seasons… we had rain and warmer temps and we had a good bit of snow and the month is ending on a rather warm week (we are heading to the 50’s today if the weatherperson is right!) But despite all the precipitation, there was also a good bit of sunshine and coupled with the visibly lengthening days… and that is a very good thing!
I am ready for March though… very ready!
I managed to finish the Bolin Cardigan… but… it has some issues. Sigh. I need to shorten the sleeves because I did not take into account the amount the shoulders would grow when being worn. Why? I believe the shoulder join is the culprit… yes, the 3-needle bind off is easy but it gives zero structure to a very unstructured garment with an incredibly drapey fabric. I should have bound off each shoulder and seamed them… that would have provided some much needed structure (or at least more than what it has now.) (Note… when I joined the shoulders and tried on the sweater, they shoulders did not sit at my elbows… where they do with sleeves attached) I also need to remove the button band and reknit it with fewer stitches. I do not like how high it sits on my neck. So there will be some alterations in the future but I am wearing it now with the cuff rolled back one cuff-length. However, all that being said … and knowing what alterations I would make knitting this again… I want to do just that… knit it again! I honestly think that a version in Lettlopi – held solo and sans sleeve cables, would be the perfect layering piece!
My finished, but in need of help Bolin. Imagine also, the outside three ribs removed from the button band!
The shoulders are a major culprit for the problems…
As you can see, the blanket knitting is making headway in the header photo… but stitching remains my life-saving force! My two daily stitching projects are always on my mind! I have just 3 more days to go and February will be complete! But I have not stopped thinking about those delightful little EPP hexies… I have a big bag of scraps and I have punched out a good number of hexie “blanks” on heavier weight paper… my plan is to practice the basting method in the evenings and see how I like that compared to glueing.
Pages 5 and 6… these were just so fun! I so enjoyed learning about Boro!
This week’s reading though… oh my! I finished Ann Cleeve’s newest mystery (coming in March!) and it was so good! There were a good amount of twists and turns and I did not figure out “who did it” before it was revealed! This mystery is solved in a rather communal way… and it was delightful! I really enjoy Ann’s mysteries series and I think that Inspector Ramsay will be one with whom it would most enjoyable to spend time with! And it is very good to still be in Northumberland!
I also finished Alice Hoffman’s When We Flew Away… and I loved it…so much!! The “what if” of Anne Frank’s life before she and her family closed the door to the annex was delightful! Hoffman really showcases Anne being just an ordinary girl… it was such perfection. The story is captivating and the ending is so powerful.
And that, my friends, is my week of making and reading!
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Looks like you had mending on your mind as you worked those two pages.
The little pale grey hexies are just visible in amongst the ‘patchwork’ layers……and the ‘gold’ repairs look just right on the vase.
Shame about the problems with the cardigan. Personally I like the wide band but it’s your garment and if you’re not happy with it you’re right to fix it. You’re right about the sleeves not being the way they should be.
Good on ya for thinking about how to do the alterations- I’d have tossed in the corner and ignored it for several months
I’m sorry about the sleeves. I’m surprised you don’t have more structure from the 3NBO; mine are usually pretty stable. But it seems like you’ve come up with a good plan for a fix if/when you knit this sweater again. Love the newest stitched page!
Your Bolin looks wonderful to me (except for the shoulder issues). Sorry you have some more to do on it. Interesting idea to use Lopi for another one – I bet it would be a wonderful layering piece. I’m looking forward to seeing your blanket too – the yarn is yummy looking. And your stitching!! LOVE! It is so obvious you are having fun with this and I’m enjoying your journey and learning about Kintsugi and Boro! You remind me that I’ve never read any of Ann Cleave’s books (I’ve watched Shetland, but that’s it). Maybe I will try one once I clear out the 6 (yes 6) books from the library currently on my nightstand!
I’m so glad you don’t seem defeated about the sleeves — and I love that you’re already looking forward to your next one! I think the sweater is very pretty and I think the super drapey look is in right now, so my guess is that it looks really great, even if it the fit doesn’t feel ideal and probably doesn’t feel very comfortable. The yarn is gorgeous! As is all of your stitching!
I’m so excited about the newest Ann Cleeves! And I’m so glad you enjoyed the Alice Hoffman. I also liked it a lot. I listened on audio and it was narrated by Mara Wilson (from Matilda!).
enjoy the rest of your week!
Your sweater should fit and feel the way you want it to, but it sure does look nice on your porch! I would want to fix the sleeves so the shoulder wasn’t at my elbow, and I think your Lettlopi idea is a very good one. Your stitching is beautiful and something I look forward to seeing on Wednesdays. I have a bit of a wait for When We Flew Away but it sounds intriguing. Thanks for the recommendation!
The “fabric” of your sweater looks just beautiful, Kat. (And like Bonny, I think it looks quite lovely on your porch.) I really wondered about the sleeves on that sweater design . . . I am super picky about sleeves, and those just look so . . . voluminous. I’m glad you’re not giving up on the sweater. It’s too gorgeous to set aside! XO
I love your sweater and I would love too long sleeves over too short but either way it’s a fix to do!!
Your sweater and its fabric looks beautiful. The neck band looks very nice to me but I don’t have to wear the sweater. I also understand how you want it to fit just right. I hope the fix isn’t too difficult. The blanket looks like a dream to knit. Your stitch pieces are wonderful. I know I keep repeating myself but K3N has one video in the Slow Stitch Journal 2024 all about Boro-inspired stitching. When you write “punch out” hexagon pieces what do you mean? I’ve considered the EPP with hexagons but am loathe to trace them myself. For me that would lead to inaccurate pieces. They are also available for purchase so that’s an option too.
Bummer about the sweater. I do think those sleeves are awfully full. Pretty yes, but maybe not so great for wearing around? I hope your fixes make it more to your liking.
Oohh I will have to check out the mystery when it releases! It sounds very good. And I love your stitching pages too. I’m definitely with you on disliking wide button bands – I hate how they feel on my short neck!