Knitting and Wearing

To me . . . the absolutely hardest part of knitting, is trying the finished object on. I always finish up a sweater, put it on my (body-double) dressform, take pictures of it, and spend a few weeks gathering the courage to try it on. Even though my dressform it the same general size I am, she does have better hourglass preportions. If the sweater fits her, I know it will fit me . . . BUT . . . it doesn't always look the same.

I've finished my 2014 F2F Sweater #7. It is "Leaving", by Anne Hanson, knit in Lisa Souza Baby Alpaca Silk (Cranalicious).  I'm currently in this very stage (finish, put on dressform, photograph, try to get courage to try on).

The sweater came out just as beautiful as I had hoped, and I'm always afraid it won't look as beautiful on me.  I'm trying so hard this year, to be more accepting of my body, but it doesn't seem to be getting any easier.  I've dedicated an entire year to knitting just for me, in the hopes that I could overcome this problem.  I've using Custom Fit Patterns from Amy Herzog to get the perfect fit, and her advise is to be accepting of yourself, regardless of how many extra pounds you may have.  Since you have knit the sweater to accommodate your exact measurements, you should be proud to wear it and photograph yourself in it. It usually takes me about 2 weeks, so I should have pictures of me wearing this sweater in my next post. 

  Remember this sweater?  My "Lady Kina" 2014 Sweater #7.  This is my Knit Night Group KAL this Fall, and mine was finished back in September.  Well . . . since this sweater was bumped from my dressform, to accommodate my latest FO, I finally decided it was time for pictures on ME. 

Here it is.  The next great stuggle is always getting pictures that I can stand to show here.  My husband is always so patient, but my frustration always leads to a big fight.   

I tell him to take lots of pictures, as we can always delete the bad ones, but it always takes him so long to push the button, that I am usually pulling a disgusted face and all of the pictures are a disaster.   

Neither of us has much experience with photography, so we are learning together.  Always discussing what works best, as far as lighting and location.  And then, there is always to issue of my most flattering angles. 

 Often, others simply cut their head out of the picture, if they don't like their expression, but my body isn't good enough to stand on it's own.

And then there is always the issue of the background.  This picture might have worked, if that garden stake bird didn't appear to have landed on my shoulder.

 And here is one of those "take it already, would you" faces. 

And it is always nice when half of the plant you are standing by is caught on your backside.  I guess you can't win them all!  I'm hoping that showing these, less than perfect, pictures will help me to stop being so concerned about looking just perfect.   

Anyway . . . I have started my 2014 F2F Sweater #8.  It is "Bloomsbury".  The pattern is by Svetlana Volkova, and I'm knitting it of KnitPicks Diadem (Amethyst).  It is a fine gauge yarn.  I've changed the gauge and the needle size, from what is recommended by the pattern.  Swatching and using a Custom Fit Pattern, have helped me to do this.  However, This pattern is written from the top-down, with raglan sleeves.  All Custom Fit Pattern are written in pieces, bottom up, with set-in sleeves, so I've had to do a little math and re-writing of the pattern to get this to work out.  The Custom Fit Pattern will provide all of the shaping to assure it fits me the best possible.

This is Aidasofie's project on Ravelry.  I fell in love with her version, and it was my inspiration in selecting a yarn and a gauge for this sweater.  I hope mine will look half as good as her's.

This is the swatch I used to generate my Custom Fit Pattern.  I just love the color variation in this yarn, and you can't believe how soft and drapey it is.  I believe #8 will be the final sweater for the year, and I hope to have it finished by December 31.  Since it is knit on size US 2 needles, it will likely take me that long.

However, I love this yarn so much, that I have purchased another sweaters quantity to knit "Miette" by Andi Satterland.  I've chosen the color Ruby.  I'm hoping to have this on the needles before Christmas, but we'll see. 

Our "Lady Kina" Knit Night KAL continues, and I'm hoping to have some finished pictures to share soon.  Everyone has chosen such varied colors and types of yarn.  I can't wait to see all their FOs.  Happy Knitting!