I mostly finished the front of Moni over the weekend.
I say "mostly finished" because I haven't knitted the sewn-on button bands yet. The button bands are the anxiety-inducers on this sweater. The instructions say to press (i.e. block) the sweater and sew the shoulder seams before knitting and sewing on the button bands. That just seems so wrong to me. I think that the button bands should be blocked at the same time as the rest of the sweater. But should I knit and sew the bands before I block the whole thing, or should I knit the bands and then block and then sew? Oh decisions, decisions! The fact that I have never made sewn-on button bands makes this decision harder.
Elspeth's front panels were finished last night.
Two anxiety-inducers for this little sweater. First, the trim around all the edges is crochet. When it comes to crochet, I don't know a slip stitch from a half-double crochet. (Remember, my first attempt at crochet was not very long ago.) Second, after several searches through the blogosphere, I have yet to see a completed, well-fitting Elspeth. I'm worried that I will have to stand with my arms akimbo the entire time I'm wearing this sweater. (Furthermore, It disturbs me to no end that the lace is not symmetrical. But I will do my best to ignore that.)
* I always thought the term sleeve island was rather weird. But this title reminded me of Mr. Roark saying, "Welcome to Fantasy Island!" And once that thought crossed my mind, it stuck.
5 comments:
I'm not 100% sure what a "button band" is, so I'm absolutely no help.
Happy birthday (one day early)!
Amy
Re: button bands - they might have you blocking before hand so as to make it easier to pick up stiches? Do what feels right to you
As for crochet - I bagged out on my first attempt (was supposed to finish Aurora neck band with it), so no help there!
Your progress is great, and I wish you luck with both sweaters. I just saw your photos of the Lily Chin shawl from Vogue, and ... you've convinced me... I must knit one! I've been mulling over it for a while now, mainly because I'm allergic to mohair. But I will find a way, hehe!
As for button-bands, I have definitely knit them after blocking. I hesitate to say there's any benefit to it, but I also don't think there are any negatives. It's one of these things where we do what feels right :).
I'm not a big blocker. In fact I really only block lace garments. I would have done a 3-needle bind off on the shoulder and completed the button band then blocked.
I see what you mean about elsbeths lace pattern...kim hargreaves would never have done that to you!
Thanks for the comments about me mums vest :)
I would think you want to block the button bands at the same time as the sweater. It's just a strip for your buttons, right? Maybe they assume you will block the bands because I think it would be easier to sew them together.
Both look great so far! I'm dying to see Elspeth when you're done!
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