the blue blog archives: the first circle of sleeve hell

Time to take a serious look at the project basket and take care of those neglected half-sweaters! Our annual visit to Germany is coming up in mid-September and I've sworn to do my best to get them all done before we leave! I seem to have abandoned each of them in some stage of sleeve work, so it'll be a long slow trip through sleeve hell for me.

First up is katy, my lovely copper cabled sweater. The body is all done, but both sleeves still remain to be knitted. I cast on for the first sleeve at Knitsmiths on Sunday, but had to rip it about an hour later as it seemed a little snug on the wrist. I'm not a fan of the narrow wrist/wide upper arm sleeve shaping thing. Plus, I'm not convinced that I have enough yarn left to complete two full-length sleeves. After considering my options, I decided to cast on about 85% of the stitches that the pattern calls for at the widest part of the sleeve and knit it straight.

Knitting it this way should result in a wider cuff and a narrower upper arm. And as soon as I get nervous about my remaining yarn, I can start the sleeve cap without worrying where I am in the increases. That's the plan, at least. So far, this sweater has required a good deal of reknitting and reworking, so I can't really expect the sleeves to be any different, can I?

posted by alison at 8:52 am | in katy

Comments

Nice sleeve! And nice hip huggers down below... those belts look really fun! THanks for posting patterns!

Posted by: Dani at August 26, 2005 8:55 AM

The sleeve looks great and you just whipped it up in no time!

Posted by: Leslie at August 26, 2005 9:23 AM

I just finished my DB Tennis Sweater from Vogue's Summer issue...It is very similar to Katy. I didn't want to do the sleeves either, so I made it into a vest and it looks really nice. I have pictures up on my blog of it if this idea tickles your fancy! :-)

Posted by: Amanda at August 26, 2005 10:18 AM

Hi there! I read your blog all the time, but this is the first time I have commented, I think. I just had to, since you and I are in similar circumstances, what with having German in-laws and all. We are also traveling to Germany in September for the big family visit with the (relatively) new baby. Any tips for traveling with a seven month old? Any yarn store recommendations? (We'll be going all over the place, from Hamburg to Heidelberg to Munich, so any and all will be appreciated!)

Oh, and I love the super skinny Harry Potter scarf! I was wondering how to justify spending all the money on yarn for the gigungous one. Now I don't hafta.

Posted by: Sara L at August 26, 2005 10:51 AM

But it's so worth it! Good luck with the finishing :)

Posted by: Vicki at August 26, 2005 11:01 AM

The patterns are great! Thanks so much for sharing. Can you believe it? I have a sweater the same color with one sleeve that refuses to be finished. It is only 3/4 length, and I have been knitting on it forever. The never ending project! Good luck on finishing your sweaters.
Katherine

Posted by: Katherine at August 26, 2005 12:42 PM

Very nice cables indeed!

Posted by: Michelle at August 26, 2005 2:15 PM

Wow, you are fast. If you are worried about the yarn not being enough, did you ever think of possibly going with 3/4 length sleeves????

Posted by: knittingnurse at August 26, 2005 2:35 PM

I just wanted to say I am SO jealous! I spent ten years in Germany when I was a kid/teen and I would kill to go back. Hmm...Got a big suitcase?

Posted by: Liz at August 26, 2005 2:47 PM

What a lovely sweater Katy is I really love the colour. It reminds me of a cricket sweater, ( sitting here watching the highlights of the latest England v Australia test match).

Posted by: Janine at August 26, 2005 3:18 PM

very nice. just thought i'd drop you a line to let you know that i've finished the anklets. i'll be posting pics tonight, after the anklebiters have gone sleepy-bye (they're reading now, lol)

Posted by: minnie at August 26, 2005 10:20 PM

Ah, Germany in fall. How fabulous! I am definitely jealous. Haven't been back in many, many years.

Ooooh, Liz! I spent some years in Germany as a kid, too . . . in Heidelberg from '84-'87. (and I was born in Berlin) Kindereggs are the best! *I have a local "source" if you'd like me to send you some . . . *grin*

Posted by: Amanda at August 27, 2005 2:36 AM

Ohhh Kindereggs! I've been searching for those for ages! Maybe we could do a little trade or something. Hmmm..

Posted by: Liz at August 27, 2005 11:50 AM