Hopeful Knitalong

2007-02-26T20:17:00.000-08:00

Nancy's Done

2006-05-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm new. And I'm done.

2006-04-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

Hi, everybody! I just joined recently, so my name didn't make it to the sidebar. I made my Hopeful in TLC Cotton Plus (white, obviously) with size 7 Denise needles. I used almost all of 4 balls to make the size 36. I changed the k2tog along the neckline to a ssk like most everyone did. Also, I did a 10 stitch 2x2 rib for the 'napkin ring.' Sorry for the crappy pictures. My camera sucks.

I could not get her to smile

2006-04-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

Principessa was so excited to be meeting Vickie Howell, that I could not get her to smile:

She really wanted to wear Hopeful for the occasion, since she saw it for the first time on the show.

More photos on Hollis' blog.

Lu

What's that?

2006-03-26T13:57:00.000-08:00

Look, a sleeve!

Lu

Belated Hopeful

2006-01-07T17:42:00.000-08:00

I finished my Hopeful waaaay back in September, but our computer crashed that same week! Then when I was back up and running with the ability to post photos I procastinated for a few weeks. Anyway, here it is, after all this time. I made it in Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece-- I think the color was called silver plum. This was the first time I'd used the yarn and I really enjoyed it. It knit up quickly and felt good in the hands and needles (addi turbos). I like the finished result! The waist shaping doesn't quite match my body, but I am not patient enough to modify. I think the only change I made was in the I-cord tie... and it was an accident that I did the wrong number of stitches. When I realized, I decided I liked it just as well, so I continued. Anyway, this was my first official knitalong. Thanks to everyone, especially Jessica for hosting.

Hopeful for 2006

2006-01-01T17:25:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

I've just joined the knitalong - I'm planning on starting Hopeful soon. I'll be using Rowan Calmer in "laurel," a nice apple green color. Has anyone else used Calmer to knit this top? And one more question - I'm a 36" bust and am planning on knitting the 36" size. But I'm wondering if I should make the smaller (34") size instead? Have you found it's better to go down a size if you want a form-fitting top? Any suggestions you have would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Elizabeth
A Mingled Yarn

Hey, I finished mine!

2005-12-12T07:25:00.000-08:00

I just realized that I never posted my finished Hopeful to the knitalong - so here she is!

I really had fun with this one, and I love the finished product. I used Rowan Wool Cotton in the discontinued color Lavish. The only chenge I made was to do the SSK at the neckline as explained by Marnie.

I get compliments every time I wear it - congratulations to Jenna for such a gorgeous pattern!

Finally started!

2005-12-11T20:30:00.000-08:00

I bought some lovely KnitPicks Ambrosia in Fog for Hopeful a while back, but got distracted by some gift knitting. I finally cast on last Friday, and knit about 6" in a few days. I'm about halfway through the waist increases.

This is a gorgeous yarn, but it's drapier and not as springy as Wool Cotton, so I went with a little bit of negative ease. I'm not too certain about my choice, but I should be at a try-on point soon.

Progress report

2005-11-27T10:27:00.000-08:00

I finished the body:

working on the sleeves today ......

Lu
Maglia!

Scottish Lamb reporting in...

2005-10-30T13:01:00.000-08:00

The Elann Esprit is PERFECT for this sweater. The yarn band says this is Muave. I say it's Periwinkle. Either way... I love it. Nice and soft and S-T-R-E-T-C-H-Y.

On the neckband, I did an ssk instead of the K2tog called for in the pattern and on the reverse I just slipped that stitch. I think it gave it a much crisper seam. I wish I'd made the sleeves a little longer. I'd like to make another one, a little bigger and make the ties a little longer than I did in this one. They are kinda flappin in the breeze.

Peace,
Jean
scottishlamb.typepad.com

Finally finished!

2005-10-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

Just finished blocking my Hopeful last night. Thanks Marnie for all of the tips on tweaking the pattern. For more on the entire saga, see the post on my blog here.

moving right along...

2005-10-17T09:52:00.000-07:00

Well, the body is all done! I had a minor setback when I was starting the top of the bodice front - I misread the pattern and my stitch count got off and I just wound up frogging a whole section. The Rowan Wool Cotton is very forgiving, so that wasn't a huge deal.

I haven't tried it on but holding it up to myself, I can tell that the neckline is going to be just fine. My only real concern fitwise is that the sleeves may not be too flattering on me - my flabby upper arms are not always friends with cap sleeves.

I've started the sleeves now, and what fun! I love not having to sew them in, and short rows are fun, too! I do find that I need to concentrate on counting stitches more than usual, though - this isn't TV friendly knitting. The sleeves will go pretty quickly, I think, then it's on to the neck. Yay!

Question on Collar...

2005-10-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hi! I haven't ever posted yet but I've been reading... I'm making my Hopeful out of KnitPicks Merino Style in Petal. I'm just about done but...

I think I need to redo the collar. It like... poofs out in the back and kind of puckers like I picked up too many stiches or something (which I didn't). I'm making hte 38" size. I think what I'm going to do is rip it out and not only pick up fewer stickes but use size 4 needles instead of size 6.

I wish I had a pic but my camera took a poop on me. I even borrowed a camera for a pic but then it wouldn't upload onto her computer right away and I haven't asked if she's tried again. hrmph...

Anyone else have trouble on the collar?

Knitted up my first ball of Shine

2005-10-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

I finally got Hopeful started and knitted up my first ball of Knit Picks Shine. It is turning out beautifully - I really like this yarn. Here is a pretty unexciting photo of my first couple inches:

Even though I am making the largest size, I opted not to do a fourth repeat on the bottom ribbing because I want it to match up with the ribbing around the neckline. I just hope that Hopeful will be kinder to me than it has been to Ms McSpazzitron!

Ummm, more steps back

2005-10-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

High drama on the neckline, but I'm finally happy with it. Also, I finished the first sleeve, but I'm not exactly happy with it. Long expositions abound on this post, but suffice it to say that I think I'm trying something different on the other sleeve to see which I like better. A progress pic:

No, my body doesn't naturally pull to the right. The sleeve actually pulls the entire garment towards it, it's that tight.

2005-10-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

Finished my Hopeful yesterday, but I am not sure if I like it. It fits, but it is on the big side. I am trying to decide whether I want to keep it the way it is, or frog it and make the 34" size.

After a deep breath...

2005-09-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

If any of you read the post on my blog after I frogged, you probably were thinking to yourself, "Geez, someone should just slap that girl and maybe she'll snap out of it!" Well, blogging as therapy helped, and I took a deep breath, calmed down and started over. I managed to recover and finish the body section. See this post for more details.

Finally updating

2005-09-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

I'm just about finished with my Hopeful. There's a picture on my blog (already deleted it from my hard drive):

scottishlamb.typepad.com

I have to say that I love the Elann Esprit. I wish I'd knit one size larger. It's a clingy, clingy little thingie. ;-) The color is much more periwinkle than mauve, but it's called mauve. They just put more up on Elann so grab it while you can.

The mods I made were that I ssk'd on the neckband instead of K2tog on the right side and on the wrong side I just slipped that stitch to tighten it up. I like the clean look of it. I'll take a close up tomorrow and post it. I did some purl rows at the end of the sleeve like Claudia did. It was just too short when I tried it, so I snipped, picked up stitches and am knitting down to add some length.

I'll say this... I probably won't be wearing this one to church, but I sure feel feminine in it. ;-)
I'll post a photo when it's done.

What's that they say?

2005-09-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

One step forward and two steps back...

A progress pic after last night's knitting:

As you can see, I ran into some issues that required a bit of frogging. More details on this post on my blog.

One ball of Silky Wool later...

2005-09-21T09:47:00.000-07:00

I know I promised to post a picture when I got somewhere exciting. This isn't itself exciting, but I was at least excited by finishing my first ball of yarn (out of 4) and was quite surprised at how far one ball got me! I'm just finishing up the last round of waist increases.

By the way, does anyone know if it's possible to alter the pattern slightly to work back and forth after starting the neck shaping? I'd like to work the first bit of neck shaping on both sides undtil I get to the armhole shaping and then work the left front, right front, and back all separately. After reading Marni's post about this being a seamless sweater, I too want to avoid the short seam but don't want to mess with the neck line placement.

New hopeful started

2005-09-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I just joined this KAL and wanted to introduce myself. I'm Jen, aka KnittingSpaz and I just cast on for Hopeful on Sunday in Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in a light heather blue color. I posted pics of the cast on using Marnie's picot hem modification on my blog here. Now I'm starting the increases at the waist, so as soon as I get to an interesting part, I'll take a new progress pic and post it here!

Thanks for letting me join the fun!

progress report

2005-09-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

I'm a little over halfway done, I'd say. This picture was taken just after the side increases were completed, and now I'm at the neckline & armhole shaping. I screwed up a SSK and had to rip back but I think I fixed it.

I was a stitch short after the decreases, but I couldn't find any dropped stitches so I guess I just cast on too few. I snuck in an extra increase to make up for it, and now I am diligent about counting my stitches at each step.

I can't seem to get a decent picture of the color! It's Wool Cotton in Lavish, and it's really more of a cranberry, not the purpley shade that it looks like in that photo. It's a great color!

I'm done!

2005-09-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

I have already worn it twice and received many compliments! Can't beat that.

Specs: Sirdar Snuggly DK in Khaki green, not quite 4 balls; size 6 needles (Denise). I made the largest pattern size.
The Snuggly is a very lightweight yarn, so it was nigh on impossible to press the seams flat, but luckily the ribbing stayed put just fine. I could've made the sleeve openings a little bigger but they are ok as is. Once my daughter is a little older, I'd be tempted to make myself another one of these in Wool Cotton (or something else non-machine-washable). It's very cute. And did I mention my husband really likes it on me? 'Nuff said. Thank you Jenna - my best wishes for your partner's continued recovery.
--Katie

It's in need of a blocking but she's done!

2005-09-18T08:43:00.001-07:00

I finished up my Hopeful last night and haven't had a chance to block it yet, thus the disheveled look of the sleeves. Hopeful only took a little over 3 skeins of Wool-ease in Oxford Grey. I knit the sleeves a little longer than the pattern called for, and I used the tie modification that Marnie did. I definitely think I will be wearing a tank top under it, but I really like the overall look. I have some friends that would like this sweater, but this one's all mine!

2005-09-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

Another finished Hopeful.

Made a decision

2005-09-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

I decided to bite the bullet and order the Knitpicks Shine yarn in Violet. If this yarn just really does not work well for this project, I figure I can always find something else to make with it. So wish me luck.

Wow,... you make me proud

2005-09-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

Wow,.. all your completed Hopeful’s are so beautiful I had to write a note of gratitude to all of you. Since knitting is just a hobby and pleasure for me (I work full time and have a little boy who keeps me busy too) I often don’t feel like a “real” designer-- But all of you make me so proud I could almost convince myself I am one! I also appreciate all of the kind comments and thoughtful modifications that contribute to the collective spirit of making the pattern better than ever. A big thanks to all of you, and an extra shout out to; Claudia for making a sweater so beautiful I can’t believe I was a part of it’s creation, Maire for attempting this as her very first sweater (wow!), Diana, for letting me hold her completed sweater at Purlygirls, and to Sharlyn who caught so early on my very low-low neckline error that was revised and saved many knitters future headaches.

Lastly, (and most importantly) I get many inquires on the total amount of money raised by Hopeful. Currently I have sold 343 patterns. This, plus my additional contribution, rounds out the money for Susan Love’s Breast Cancer Foundation to $2058. I will be writing the first check at the end of the month and thank all of you endlessly…

Finally picked my yarn...

2005-09-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

I am going to give it a go with Knit Picks Shine. I swatched it up last night and it looked and felt really nice. I can't wait to see how it looks, but first I have to wait for-ev-er for my order to get here (I wasn't sure it was going to work, so I'd only ordered one skein). I love Knit Picks, but it doesn't do much for my need for instant gratification (or should I say yarnification).

I also finished last night...

2005-09-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

Hopeful is done blocking, so I took some photos. I didn't make many modifications, though. This is my first sweater! I'm very happy with the fit and can't wait to wear it.

All done

2005-09-13T05:16:00.000-07:00

I finished mine up last night.

Sorry for the horrible image quality.

I have a whole write-up of the various modifications I made, including brief tutorials for modifications to the hem and neckline. You can see all my notes by viewing this post.

Below are a couple more shots of the finished piece, including the modified neck treatment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marnie MacLean
http://marniemaclean.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My One Armed Bandit

2005-09-07T06:22:00.000-07:00

I've gotten pretty far with my Hopeful, though not as far as some of you! :) She only has one arm so far. This is my first experience with short rows. I think the sleeve has turned out rather nicely being my first attempt. I've been side-tracked with a gift WIP that needs to be done rather soon, so the other arm is on hold. I hope to get to it today or tomorrow though. I think the send sleeve will go faster now that I know what I'm doing.

2005-09-07T06:21:00.000-07:00

Here she is in all her one armed glory!

First sweater attempt

2005-09-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I chose "Hopeful" to be my first attempt at making a sweater, and I have a question about yarn substitution. I was wondering what you all think about substituting the Rowan Wool Cotton for Knitpicks Shine. I have seen other patterns (Grumperina's Tivoli/Picovoli for one) suggest Shine as a sub, but I just want to make sure it will work with this pattern.

Thanks
Anita

Hope Rewarded

2005-09-05T08:02:00.000-07:00

Look, look, look what we have here. Why, its a finished Hopeful!

Fashion photography courtesy of the husband. Hmmm...wonder what caught his interest?

Project Specs:

Pattern: Hopeful by Jenna Adorno. An extremely cute design indeed.

Yarn: Two skeins of nylon ribbon yarn from Tess Designer Yarns, overdyed by moi.

Needles: Addi Turbo circulars in U.S. sizes 7 & 6 (the smaller size for the purl side rows on the flat knitting part and for the edgings)

Mods: Being that I'm narrow on top, I cast on the stated number of stitches for the smallest size, decreased for the waist shaping as written but did not increase again. I hiked up the beginning of the neckline a couple of rows. Frankly, this is just about as low a neckline as I'm likely to wear. For the ribbed edging on the neckline (which is a great design idea -- yeah Jenna!) I used a size smaller needle than the body of the sweater, which worked out great for a non-flaring edge. Since I knew I was facing Yarn Famine, I made both ties a bit shorter than the pattern called for and one is shorter than the other.

I picked up two out of every three stitches for the back neck instead of every stitch as written. Additionally, I only picked up 66 total stiches around each armhole. Generally I don't slavishly follow the number of stitches a pattern asks me to pick up in this situation -- eyeballing it and using my judgment works out better given the infinite variabilty in row and stitch gauge between designers and knitters. As for the sleeves, I only just had enough yarn to finish the short-rowing before the bind-off row. Specifically, I purled the last two short rows, then knit the last full row, then bound off purlwise.

Lastly, I took a needle and thread and put a few stitches at the bottom of the V neck to keep the edging together just a wee bit higher up on the cleavage-area.

Although I used a slippery, drapey yarn for which the pattern wasn't intended, I am really happy with the results. This substitution worked primarily because I downsized the sweater so that the snug fit would make up for the lack of elasticity in the yarn. This yarn is HELL for sewing up and securing ends, so the fact that most of this was knit in the round with minimal seaming and knit-on sleeves was perfect.

If you would like to see the extremely small amount of yarn I had left over, click here. Yup, this sweater could not have been a bit longer or wider. I do believe that I've used up one of my nine yarn lives.

Janell (janXknits) Hopeful- Done and Dyed

2005-09-04T11:27:00.000-07:00

It is done- it is still a little damp from being washed and dyed. She is a little low, but it is still a great sweater.

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran

Dye: RIT "Scarlet"

Much better

2005-09-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

Well, my second try at Hopeful is going much better. I tried her on yesterday and the fit is great. I used the 36" chest as my starting point but I recalculated the torso so that there would be a long gradual transition between hips, waist and chest instead of a lot of straight rows and a quick nip in the middle. If there is anyone who wants help making this sort of modification, please let me know.

I still haven't decided what I want to do for the bottom of the piece, so I'm keeping the provisional cast on there till I do. I may give in and maintain the designer's vision, but I'm not totally committed yet.

Intro & Neckline Question

2005-09-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. My name is Melanie (Mel) and I just joined the knit along this week. So I thought I'd post and introduce myself and show my "hopeful" so far.
I am using rowan's wool cotton in aqua. I love the yarn and color and was very lucky to get it at just $4.50 a ball! :-) WHHHEEEE!!!!

Here she was this morning.

I have finished the decrease section and am now increasing again. I have realized that I am MUCH too small chested to make the neck as low cut as it is. (Bummer. ha ha.) I think I really need to start shaping the neckline at more like 12" or 14" up. Can someone assist me in the easiest way to alter or adjust this pattern to fit me? I've never knit a garment in round, and I've never altered a pattern. I am pretty good with math though, so if someone could just tell me what I'd need to change and how I'd base that change I'm sure I could figure it out. I guess I really just need to know... do I still work 37 stitches as directed in the first sentence of the "shape neckline" section? I wouldn't think so but then again, I'm confused on how I'd figure out how many stitches to take out if It's being knit "diagonally" and not up or down or across where I could just take out 2" worth of stitches. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I'm making the extra small and am getting the exact gauge as recommended.

I'm having a great time following the KAL, and enjoying all of your blogs... can't wait to get to know you all better. Happy Knitting and happy Labor Day.
Melanie

Yarn Shortage? What Yarn Shortage?

2005-09-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow-Hopeful knitters. With any luck, I hope to have myself some finished Hopeful this weekend. I'm on the sleeves:

With a few mods, I so DID NOT run out of yarn. YEAH!

I am using a wildly different yarn than Jenna recommended -- this a nylon ribbon yarn from Tess Yarns that I overdyed to get a killer-red color. This substitution has meant lots of mods to take the qualities of the yarn into account. I actually downsized the pattern a bit from the smallest size because this fabric is very drapey, but not at all elastic. As for the back neck, I ended up picking up two out of every three stitches (instead of the one-to-one in the original pattern) and that worked very well to get a non flaring collar.

Due to impending Yarn Famine I also had to scale back the sleeves. Basically I was just able to eek out finishing the short rows before the bind off row. Happily, the sleeve is still appropriately long enough, but I was sweating it folks.

More progress pix are on my blog if you want to see more Red Ribbon Hopeful.

Redux

2005-09-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a side by side of my original, rejected start, and my new attempt after going down one pattern size and one needle size. Big difference! Things are on track now. That color is not at all how it really looks, by the way.

Intro...

2005-09-01T17:20:00.000-07:00

Hi, everyone! I actually joined the KAL awhile ago, but haven't made any progress whatsoever due to the usual craziness at our house. I did get the pattern ordered and am waiting for a ball of Knit Picks Shine in the mail to swatch up and see how it looks for the sweater. In the meantime, I am learning as much as I can from all of your great posts!

I am looking forward to getting started one of these days - thanks for having me (this is my first knit-along and I am excited even if I'm rather slow getting started)!

Chrissy

Vacation Progress

2005-08-31T16:00:00.000-07:00

I was on vacation last week and made some progress on my Hopeful sweater. I'm ready to start working on the left front. I like how soft the Sirdar Snuggly DK is - as I have a one-year-old who likes to use me as a napkin, I decided that this sweater needed to be washable!
Looks like several people are making great progress - keep up the good work ladies.

short rows!

2005-08-29T21:27:00.000-07:00

I just finished the first sleeve! This was my first time doing short rows--I found a very helpful website with pictures, in case any of you are also trying them for the first time. They were really fun to make! It makes a really great shape.

I was a little confused about the last knitted row of the sleeve, because the numbers weren't adding up correctly in my head. But that could just be because it's kind of late. I knew that it didn't matter much, so I ended up just decreasing as much as I wanted and then purling and binding off. When I tried it on, the sleeves fit fine, so I'm not worried. I am curious, though, how those of you who are finished did the last row of the sleeve? I probably am just having a hard time reading it correctly!

2005-08-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

Here she is, soon to be divided into a front and a back... Ooohhh, Aaaahhh....

Just trucking along...

2005-08-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't have tons to report. I'm about 4 rows away from the exciting, only working on the front part. The Wool-ease is treating my tolerably well. Keep the discussion coming on the how to do the collar. I'm looking ahead to possible sticking points!

Grrr.....

2005-08-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought it was going so well :-)

I got gauge of 5 stitches per inch on size 4 needles, so I cast on and cruised through the first few inches. I got as far as the second decreases when I realized that this thing was looking a little large. I wasn't sure if I was being deceived since the last two sweaters I made were ribbed and looked so tiny at first. I measured and it was borderline - maybe a half inch larger than it should have been. I slipped it onto two circulars and tried it on......yep, too big. At least for this particular sweater, which really does need to cling to the body to flatter it.

So I'm re-swatching on size 3 needles - that note from Jenna about how you need to give your swatch a tug to figure your gauge? Yeah, that's pretty important. This biggest bummer for me right now is that I don't have a 24" circular in a size 3 and the closest yarn shop isn't open on Monday!

Well, I'm off to frog and rewind two balls of Wool Cotton.

Hangin with my frawgs

2005-08-29T05:27:00.000-07:00

I cast on for Hopeful this weekend, and while I had read through the pattern and made some fitting alterations, I mostly kept to the general proportions.

I actually started with a provisional cast on because I'm not sure I'll want the horizontal garter ribbing right at my lower stomach. I haven't decided what I want to do, so having the provisional cast on keeps my options open. This picture shows the piece right before the end of the waist increases. I wasn't too sure it was working for my shape, and when I moved it to two circulars to try on, I was right. My torso is just far too long for the general shaping called for in the pattern, so off to the ball winder and calculator I went.

I ripped back almost to the provisional cast on and I've decided to go about the lower portions in a different way. Instead of working several inches straight then doing a short nip in at the waist, I'm going to spread the decreases out over a longer stretch for a gradual curve to the waist, then a short distance straight before increasing again.

I think this will be a better match for my long waist.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marnie MacLean
http://marniemaclean.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Message from Jenna Adorno re: Neck Edge correction

2005-08-28T21:42:00.000-07:00

Hello All-

I have been watching your posts on the neckline and talking to Mandy Moore about making a more clearly written solution. Some of you have already stumbled upon the solution yourselves-- to make the neck tie lie flat to just pick up a stitch every other row instead of following the recomended stitch count (this is actually just a good general rule since everyone row gauge could be slightly different with different yarn). Anyway, here it is below a little clearer. If you would would like a copy with this new wording just email me and I am happy to send the revised pattern. Thanks!- Jenna

Using longer circular needle and beginning at center front of neckline, pick up and knit 1 stitch in every 2 rows along edge of neckline to shoulder seam, 1 stitch in every 2 rows along side back neckline, one stitch for every 2 bound off stitches across back neck, and 1 stitch in every 2 rows along remaining side back and side front edges of neckline, to match first side. Set work aside.

Hopeful Update

2005-08-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

Onto the shoulders!

Since my gauge is larger than Jenna's I picked up everyother stitch along the neckline so it wouldn't pucker. I also added another band at the bottom (another k 2 rows, purl 2 rows) to add some length. I'm sure with the blocking I'll get to the right length for me (about 22-23 inches).

Diana is done!

2005-08-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

Hopeful is complete - even if it's not exactly like the model :) I like it and it's comfortable too.

help

2005-08-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

My post of yesterday was too pollyanna about the whole "too big" thing. I decided last night I'm going to have to rip and redo. The only problem is I'm not sure what will help. My gauge is pretty good, but the garment is turning out so large. The waist measures 16 inches across! I wish there were schematics in the pattern so I can compare, but instead, maybe you all can help. What kind of measurements are you getting? I am not sure that going down a size will make as much difference as I need. I'm so confused--by the look of the model in the pattern, it is close fitting and she is petite. I hate to frog but at least it's just a week of work.

Diana's almost done

2005-08-25T09:26:00.000-07:00

Progress photos...

First, I want to show the other ways (looks) for the collar connection...
Choices:
k2tog (as pattern is written) [the photo didn't turn out]
ssk
ssk, next row slip first st

I finished the sleeve this morning (it took me 1 hour 45 minutes):

And now the collar issues... My collar is too floppy. I reduced the stitches I picked up on the back nect to almost half and that looks much better. The front collar is still too loose, I have decided to let it flop open - this won't be a work-wear sweater though unless I wear a tank top underneath. I think maybe if there had been significantly less stitches, it would lay flat and wouldn't pull so low.
Collar closed:
collar open:

Here is the final neck

Pucker Up

2005-08-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hopeful is out to get me. I know it. Last night at ESKG, I asked Sharlyn to help me with the neck band. I would have never figured out how to do it without some assistance. (I get it now, you knit the band on by knitting the 14th stitch and the picked up stitch together, then you TURN the work and knit the 14 stitches (in pattern). The picked up stitches are not knit, they are on the needles a stitch holder ONLY. )Afer working on this throughout the evening, I notice that the band is starting to pucker. Too many stitches. Instead of picking up the recommended stitches, I'm going to pick up every other. That means more ripping.

Good Karma asked: "...were you able to get gauge? It seems like a slightly thicker yarn than I was imagining, but at the same time I feel a little confused about the gauge the pattern calls for vs. the yarn Jenna used. Are you happy with this yarn choice so far?" My answer is two fold: No, I wasn't able to get gauge but I'm also a bustier girl, so I need the sweater to scale beyond a 40" bust which is what the patterns goes up to. From my unblocked measurements- this is going to fit perfect. I'm working on a size 8 needle and my gauge is about 4.25-4.50 per inch and I'm knitting the largest size. Second, I LOVE THIS YARN. It is so soft and I love the blend. Wool, microfiber and cashmere AND it is machine washable. The color is a little more yellow than I like so I may end up overdying this when I'm done

It will always be The Bon to me.

2005-08-24T12:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I am cruising along on my Hopeful (thanks mostly to a car ride to Bainbridge Island over the weekend). I finished up to the left front last night. I went with Cotton Fleece in a color called "silver plum" but I call it The Silver Fox. It's looking good, but I am getting nervous as it seems awfully big so far. I'm getting gauge, but I wish I had done the XS instead. This happened to me with Orangina, though--I thought I was going to swim in it, but it ended up fitting fine. We'll see. I'd hoped to have a photo to post by now, but it should be in the next day or so. BF won't bring the camera home.

Collar problems

2005-08-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

As of last night I am 60% done with the collar. I think it might have to be ripped. I'll get an opinion tonight at my knitting group. I also found that when connecting the ribbed collar strip to the neck, ssk is better looking than k2tog. I'll take a photo of the different looks and you can compare...

I think the main problem is... my yarn has taller stitches than the pattern. When I picked up the front neck stitches (every other row) I didn't get enough to match the count suggested. I went back and picked them up 2 for every 3 rows instead. I wonder if I should have ignored the stitch count? The back neck collar is the floppiest part though. This is the kind of thing that makes me set down my knitting for a while for a new project. I have to get through this though!!

My Hopeful

2005-08-23T20:31:00.000-07:00

Diana's Hopeful looks bright and cheery. Mine looks a little lumpy. I'm hoping it is just the angle and with a little blocking I'll be good to go.

This is the front and the back, with the shoulder seams and side seams sewn.

Working my way past the bottom band...

2005-08-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

I'm into the stockinette just above the band and am finding this pattern to be a very relaxing knit so far. I'll be interested in reading how people deal with the neck and sleeve shaping! I'm using a yarn from the stash, Wool-ease in a charcoal gray. I tried to use a DK weight yarn first but couldn't get the right gauge. This yarn finally did the trick.

Neckline Shaping

2005-08-23T14:24:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I have a question about the neckline/armhole shaping bit. When I made the left side, I took the "at the same time" part of the directions to mean that the 6 rows of armhole shaping happened within the 13 rows of neckline shaping. That is, once I worked a few rows of neckline shaping and got to the right length, I began the armhole, but I also shaped the neck. So there were 6 rows where I would decrease at the begining and the end of the row. So, I decreased to the 21 stitches all in 13 rows. Now, I'm on the right side, and I'm a little thrown off by the armhole shaping part where the pattern says to K to the last three stitches. Intuition tells me to do this symmetrically, and just work the stitches so that I was decreasing for the neckline and the armhole at the same time again. I'm a little worried--am I doing the "at the same time" part the right way? Or maybe I should have just stopped doing neckline shaping, done the armhole shaping, and then return to neckline shaping? Or would that have led to a funny shapped neck? I suppose that even if what I am doing isn't right, it will just be a more dramatic neckline. What have you guys been doing?

Yarn Choices and Joining Up

2005-08-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

I've added everyone's yarn choice (that I know of) next to your name in the sidebar.
Also if you'd like to join the knitalong please email me at jessica at rose-kim dot com. I will add the names of people who asked to join in the old comments but I don't know your email or blog addresses. So get in touch with me and I'll get everything up to date.

Comment Spam--Eek!

2005-08-22T23:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, I had to switch the commenting over to Haloscan because the blogger comments got overrun with spam. If there was something in the old comments that you need I can still access them. Just send me an email. Back to knitting.

Hi, I'm Becky

2005-08-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I just joined the knitalong. I was so excited when Jenna posted the pattern. I had seen the sweater on Knitty Gritty back in May and immediately went to Jenna's website to find more info. I was disappointed not to see it anywhere on her site, so I sent her an email. After several months passed, I had basically forgotten about the email, so I was so pleasantly excited when I received an email from her a few weeks ago saying this pattern was now available. And when I read the story of why there had been such a delay - wow! I hope everything works out ok for both of them.

This will be my first sweater, but Jenna's instructions seem clear and I have all of you here to help, right?

First step is picking out yarn, and I hope more of you will heed Christie's request to please post the yarn you are planning to use. I am thinking about using Rowan Cashcotton DK. The gauge is the same as the wool cotton, and I've been wanting to try it. I'd be curious to hear if anyone has any experience with this yarn. Good idea? Bad idea?

I look forward to hearing from all of you. Diana - looking great so far! Keep it up!

Diana's done with front and back

2005-08-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

I am starting on the neck rather than the sleeves tonight.

Hi all!

2005-08-22T08:31:00.000-07:00

Wow, so nice to see all the people working on this gorgeous sweater!

I've been cranking through the two projects I was working on so that I can get started on Hopeful. I got my yarn last week - Rowan Wool Cotton in Lavish, which I purchased from a great eBay seller, Jannette's Rare Yarns. I swatched and got gauge on size 4 Addi Turbos, so I'm all set to cast on once I finish the little surprise I'm making for my Secret Pal!

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's work! And may I just say how surprised I was to see another Laurel here - that never happens!

Also new...

2005-08-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'm about to cast on for the sweater. I'm using Debbie Bliss Wool Cotton in a bright purple color. I swatched last night, and was able to get the right gauge with size 6 needles. (Although it looked like I was getting 5.5ish stiches per inch before I blocked it, like she mentioned in the pattern.) So far, I like the yarn a lot, and you can get some pretty good deals on this discontinued yarn right now, at places like Jimmy Beans. The only complaint I have is that after my second cast on (long story....I accidentally cast on with 8s the first time...woopsies) the yarn is doing a little bit of unraveling, but not too much.

I'm excited about this project!

~Maire

New here

2005-08-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
thanks for inviting me.
I started our Hopeful last night - "our" because it is a joint project of my daughter's and mine. She is almost nine years old, she knits (and felts) and wants to make Hopeful for herself, but she does not like to purl, so I purl and she knits.
We are messing with the pattern a little (I don't think she needs the short rows). We are using SWTC Beyond in turquoise.

Diana's Hopeful

2005-08-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

Here is what I had done a day ago - I am just finishing the waist decrease rows now.

I haven't checked my gauge since I knit the initial swatch. I'm reckless like that...

Yarn Substitutions...

2005-08-15T23:33:00.000-07:00

For those KAL'er who have already started their Hopeful sweaters, can you share with us what yarn and needle size you're using? Some of us are still in the market for yarn and would love to know.

Thanks!

Welcome to the Knitalong

2005-08-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

Diana asked me to create a group blog for the knitalong so we can share our progress. I think she wants to show off that she's already a good five inches into the body of her hot pink Hopeful!