I caved. A new sweater is on the needles, and the back is almost complete.

I have modified Sweaterbabe's pattern just a bit, by removing the reverse stockinette border around the lace panel. Now I just have a nice smooth stockinette transition into that pretty diamond lace. I like it. And the peplum is such a nice detail.

As I am knitting away, I'm nearing completion of the Debbie Bliss Diagonal Front Jacket. The sleeves are in progress.

Hopefully in  a few days, I can wear it!

My brother asked me on Easter if I actually wear the sweaters I make. I do. I wear most of them, and this winter I think I've worn them more than ever before. I'm proud to wear my sweaters. I have made a few duds, but we won't talk about that again. The thing is, we have to knit what we know we would wear. I know it gets tricky with fit and all of that, but if we carefully choose our yarn and garment style, opting for classic style, the fit can be pretty easily modified.  I know we've talked about this before, but it bears some further discussion. If you are concerned with adding bulk to your body, by all means, don't knit a sweater with bulky yarn...unless it's a jacket. If you are proportionately heavier on the top half of your body, the best choice might not be a boxy sweater...something with a bit more shaping would be in order. Yarn choice is so important. I always like to make sure my yarn has good memory, so that I don't end up with a garment that falls out of shape. I will not knit a garment with 100% cotton. It has to have a bit of wool  or man made in it. Same with alpaca. On it's own? I'd never use it for a sweater. 

Looking for a sleeker, classic look that would work on just about any body type. How about a nice wrap style knit with a finer gauge yarn, like a dk or sport? A wrap style would give some nice shaping to the waist and bust-line.

A short sleeve cardi would work for many seasons, if you knit it in the right yarn. Then you could wear it in Fall or Winter with a long sleeved tank or shirt under it  and with just a cami in the Spring and Summer.

Same with a tank/vest. It's so versatile. I tend not to wear sleeveless because I have issues with my arms, but how cute is a tank with a little t-shirt or short sleeved blouse under it for warm weather and long sleeved shirt under it for a crisp, more classic look on cooler days?

I can't imagine investing my resources (of time and money) in a sweater and NOT wearing it. Which is why, I'm not afraid to rip something out and re-knit it. It gives me the opportunity to do it better the next time around. In life, we don't often get do-overs, so I love the chance to get it right with my knitting.

Well, this post went in a totally different direction than I expected. Who knew?

Comments

[Dorothy]

Lynne, your sweaters are GORGEOUS, and it would be crazy not to wear them! I'm planning on knitting a top for myself this spring - my first adult-sized wearable knit. I'm very excited! First though, I have birthday knits and baby knits to finish!

The new sweater looks beautiful!

[Teyani]

a back almost done? yeowza - it's lovely.

[Kim]

I am really really liking the new pinkish sweater!!

[Michele]

I know there are a lot of 'process' knitters out there who don't wear what they knit, and they seem perfectly happy with that; however, I don't get it. I can't wait to wear what I've knit!

[amanda]

How right you are. I've noticed that my knitting has evolved into being more process-oriented than product. When I started knitting, I wanted something that flew off the needles. This usually meant bulky, yucky sweaters. I appreciate the finished product of finer yarns now, even though they take longer. I am also getting the whole long sleeve T under a short sleeve sweater, which is changing my whole outlook!!