Spring is for Make-overs (#132)

My latest knitterly Makeover of a Summer Sweater

No matter if you call it a sweater, jumper or pullover, sometimes it is time to change the style or fit. 

Read to the end of this post for my offer to help you with your sweater.

This Spring I tackled my Lalo Simple Sweater which I had knitted five years ago in a beautiful linen yarn.  I like the sweater EXCEPT for the neckline.  I always thought it was a tad too big and even added strings to tie the neckband tighter....

Original neckline 2012

With ties

 I finally re-visited the issue.  Luckily this sweater was knit up in pieces, so I was able to undo the shoulder seams and the seams between the arms and front. Then I unraveled the front down to where the left front and right front split.

Original neckline

Unraveled

 That done, I simply re-knit the front in a classic crew neck style, re-seaming the shoulders and then picking up stitches around the neck.  For the neckband I did a few rows of ribbing and then garter stitch to mimic the ribbing on the sleeve cuffs and the hem.  Finally I worked the bind-off on a purl row. Last I re-seamed not only the shoulder caps but also the sleeves and body to give it a more even, pulled together look.

The new look

For now you can see the join of the old and new knitting, but that is only due to the fact that although I used leftover yarn from the same skein, that yarn had never before been knitted or washed, whereas the sweater has gone through numerous washes.  I am quite sure that once the sweater is washed at least once the difference will no longer be noticeable.
I think I like it!

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Here are some other tops and sweaters I had given a make over in the past:

Too wide and too short

...redone from the armholes down

Armholes are way too big

...I added some ribbing around the armholes

And last, but not least:

VERY wide neck

...I re-knitted the neckband on smaller needles.

TOO short

...I added 2 1/2 inches of ribbing to the hem.

Do YOU have a sweater or any garment which needs a make-over and some tender loving care?  Let me help you to figure out what to do.

Special offer:  1 1/2 hour one-on-one help $40 by appointment only. 

 

Sweater Clinic:  

2 hour class with up to three participants $25.  I will hold this class only if I have two or more sign-ups.  

Two Dates to choose from:

Thursday, May 11th from 1pm-3pm at The Knitting Garage at Stickles in Rhinebeck.

Thursday, May 25th from 1pm-3pm at The Knitting Garage at Stickles in Rhinebeck.

 

Let's SPRING INTO SUMMER together

My Spring/Summer Classes promise lots of fun and knitting satisfaction.

Get ready for summer with these accessories. 

Some of these knit up in no time at all and are small enough to take along wherever you go.

Please note that I am very flexible with the class schedule and if you are interested in a specific class, but can’t make it to the posted date, I can add a class on a day convenient to you or switch the date.  All classes are for a maximum of three students.

For all classes I am giving two choices of dates.

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Wednesday, June 1^st 11am-2pm

Wednesday, June 29^th 11am- 2pm

#12 Skirt by Norah Gaughan  (Vogue Knitting) This is a fun flared swingy skirt worked seamless.  In class we will go over the pattern, practice unfamiliar stitches and get started.  No, you will not finish this in class, but you are always welcome to come back with additional questions or problems.

What you need: 920-1265 yards of Sport weight cotton yarn or other fiber of your choice and a US# 5 circular needle.  The $5 pattern is included in the class fee.

Average difficulty rating:  Easy

29 ratings with 1 very easy and 10 very difficult

20 ratings between 1-3.

 








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Wednesday, June 8^th 11am-2pm

Wednesday, July 6^th 11am-2pm

Turkish Bed Socks by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas  This is a great low sitting summer sock to wear in your clogs, keds etc (NO, you do not need to go to bed in them).  I just finished a pair myself. They are knitted one at the time and the instructions are given for DPN’s, but this can also be knitted on two circulars.  Half of the sock is knitted flat, and then joined in the round.  You should get most if not all of the flat knitting done during class.

What you need: 170-175 yards of fingering or sock weight yarn and US# 3needles (either DPN’s or two circulars).  The $5 pattern is included in the class fee.

 

Average difficulty rating: Easy

850 ratings with 1 very easy and 10 very difficult

718 ratings between 1-4.

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Wednesday, June 15^th 11am- 2pm

Wednesday, July 13^th 11am- 2pm

Leftie Shawl by Martina Behm So, you have been knitting socks lately and have a lot of pretty sock and fingering weight yarn left over?  This is a great pattern to use up and show off those leftovers.  You will learn how to do German short rows and get started on the shawl.  You will get at least 1-2 sections finished J

What you need:  At least 420 yards of fingering yarn for the MC plus leftover yarns of the same weight (Buy some unicorn tails if you want!)  US# 1 ½ -US# 2 ½ circular needle (depending on your tension and desired denseness of finished shawl).  The $5 pattern is included in the class fee.

Average Difficulty rating: Easy

1590 ratings with 1 very easy and 10 very difficult

1265 ratings between 1-3.

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Wednesday, June 22^nd 11am-2pm

Wednesday, July 20^st 11am-2pm

Jersey Knit Bracelet by Vanessa Christenson  This is a finger knit and you should be able to finish this during the class.  Using your fingers instead of knitting needles may feel awkward at first, but you will get the hang of this.

What you need:  Three fabric strips of 1 inch width approximately 58 inches long. Jersey is a good choice for its stretchiness.  Alternatively you could knit three strips or use some pretty 1” wide ribbon :).  The pattern is free. 

Average Difficulty rating:  No ratings

All Classes are $55 and include the pattern when applicable. 

Additional help with the project is also included in the class fee.

Please call or e-mail me to sign up.  Formbyd8@gmail.com      845-430-7619