the blue blog archives: pant, pant

Got a lot of sweatpant knitting done over the weekend, but I've been ripping the last few hours worth. I finished the two pieces of the second leg, joined them to the first and as per the pattern started knitting the top in the round. After a couple of inches, it really started to look like pants, but that missing side seam was starting to bother me. I was doing the pant legs flat because I wanted side seams, but here I am on the widest part of my pants knitting in the round. Bad idea. I stopped knitting to think about whether or not I should rip out what I'd done on the top and reknit it flat. And since I'd stopped forward motion, I decided I'd put the whole thing on some scrap yarn, take out the needles and try 'em on. Good thing I did!

Yup, one leg was like an inch and a half too short. Heh, heh. Frogging back to the crotch to fix that leg and reknit the top in two pieces. Coming soon: sweatpants with complete side seams and (call me a perfectionist!) matching legs!

posted by alison at 7:34 am | in sweatpants?

Comments

You could always only wear them while standing on hillsides.

Posted by: michelle at March 9, 2004 8:24 AM

Very smart of you to catch that one early on. I'm really interested to see what the finished pants look like!

Posted by: claudia at March 9, 2004 9:05 AM

Good job on continuing to be brave enough to rip! :-) I am trying to remind myself that even though these pants are just an "around the house" project, they still need to be done right or I won't wear them.

Posted by: sarah b. at March 9, 2004 9:11 AM

I don't know, the asymmetrical look is rather charming. Maybe it is a design element?
I am going to do Tipsy (from the latest Rowan) for the flingalong! Can't wait to start swatching. Already have the yarn...

Posted by: khipu Carrie at March 9, 2004 9:30 AM

Ah yes, maybe you are ready for the charming one shoe block look, no? Um. NO.
And here I was thinking that you had a LEG up on things! heehee
I WILL be at knitsmiths to hear the knitlittoo readings, come hell or high water! But I will miss kibitzing with you.

Posted by: Sandy at March 9, 2004 9:32 AM

I had that same -- "they look like pants" now moment on mine. Glad you caught the length thing. I also found it a little difficult to get the lengths exactly right on mine.

I must say that yours look much more shapely and trim than mine do -- maybe I should have taken those 4 stitches out. Perhaps that is the other benefit of having a side seam. Ah well.

Posted by: Theresa at March 9, 2004 10:28 AM

Pants are looking great, even with that shorter leg. Hee!

Posted by: Becky at March 9, 2004 10:47 AM

Poo! It's a good thing you tried it on first though. I love your blue top, every girl needs a comfy, everyday, kind of sweater.

Posted by: Sharlyn at March 9, 2004 10:47 AM

Picky, picky, picky. What's next...matching sleeves?

Posted by: Stephanie at March 9, 2004 3:15 PM

a lazy knitter's solution.....if it were me, the lazy knitter who still sheds a tear when ripping, i would find a cool fabric (silk, chinese print in some blue or complementary tone) and sew a 2 inch hem around the bottom legs of the pants so they would look even and have a "funky" edge to them. (make both of the hems the same size but sew them so they make the legs the same lenght, no what I mean??) or since these are sweats, find a flannel, plaid, blue color fabric and do it.

Posted by: k at March 9, 2004 4:54 PM

can anyone tell me how I join the pant along? I just got the yarn today and am so excited to start. I have been looking for cute pants to knit and these look so cute!

Posted by: Andi at March 9, 2004 5:34 PM

too funny - i'm with michelle - those are "i only wear them while standing sideways on hills" pants! :)

Posted by: carolyn at March 9, 2004 10:11 PM

Michelle, you are too funny! You may have the best solution though, since it seems that I was a little overzealous when I lengthened the shorter leg - it's now a smidge LONGER than the other. But they're much closer now. Close enough for me at least (on a gentle incline!).

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who has had difficulty getting the legs to be the same length. It seems that the Homespun is happy to stretch out to any length and really defies measuring. Anyone who hasn't started these yet, you might consider counting rows to be sure the legs are the same.

K, I love your idea! If I can't get mine to look even enough, or if I want to fancy them up a bit, I definitely want to try your idea of adding fabric cuffs. Heck, I may like this pattern enough to try another pair and then I would definitely do that. Gotta try not to get ahead of myself though. We'll see how they come out first.

Posted by: alison at March 10, 2004 12:43 AM

Just read your update on the pants and went to check the lengths on mine. Well, looks like I am going to have a similar problem. Front of legs different from the back. Thanks so much for the heads up. I will be pinning front to back as I knit up and will count the rows, too. You were so smart to try them on! I will do the same when I get back up to that point again.

Posted by: Froggy at March 10, 2004 3:06 PM