the weaving is what killed me
pattern: hooded pullover #28, vogue knitting fall 2008
yarn: jo sharp silk road ultra, nero, 20 balls
needles: 8mm circs and 7.5mm hook
date started: 8.14.08
date finished: 8.23.08
three months after finishing it and about one month of use, I finally get to blog about the hooded pullover and the complicated love/hate relationship we've endured so far. don't get me wrong, I loved this pattern and would definitely knit it again...just in another yarn. how could you not love a cabled sweater that knits in just over a week? especially one as soft and warm as this one. the cables are gorgeous and I love how they seem to just pop off the sweater.
I followed the pattern pretty must as written, except when it comes time to join the sleeves and the placket. there seem to be some errors in this pattern that haven't been updated in the vogue site. because you first join the sleeves and body in the round and then begin working back and forth in the middle of the next round, the sleeves rows wouldn't be matched up anymore forcing you to work two ws rows on the left sleeve. also, when the pattern states "4th row rep of chart" for the sleeve it really means 4 chart reps total. during the hood turning the pattern seems to break down and the ribbing isn't maintained - you just need to follow your instinct in this section.
as much as I love wearing this hoodie, there are a few things that really irk me. it might just be the nature of the beast but it always feels like the sweater just wants to fall. I'm constantly readjusting. do you see how on the left of the picture (my right shoulder) the sweater looks like it's sliding down? it does this all the time. I'm not sure if it's just the weight of the yarn combined with the hood that's dragging it down or if I should have done more raglan decreases to fit my shoulders better. I also wish I hadn't done the hood increases since, as is, the hood is way too wide on me and ends up looking like a jedi robe.
the thing that irks me the most? this yarn! I don't think I'll ever be buying silkroad ultra ever again. not only does it pill like crazy, I'm talking malabrigo proportions here, but each ball had a knot or two in it. after using 20 balls for this sweater, the amount of ends to weave in was insane. I could have lived with the knots if the yarn still looked as lux as it did when I started, but my poor sweater looks used and abused. I think we're beyond a sweater shaver since it seems to make it worse. if this yarn had been plied differently I think it could've survived. I still wear it out, but I can see this becoming a house-only sweater soon.
Comments
i'm sorry you were disappointed with the yarn and sweater overall. is it worth it to frog back to where the sleeves join the placket so that it fits better?
Posted by: mai | November 25, 2008 12:07 PM
its too bad about that pilling! otherwise it looks cozy..
Posted by: Diana | November 25, 2008 12:16 PM
I love the sweater, it's mostly the yarn that kills me. At this point I don't think the yarn could handle the frogging. chalk it up to bad substitution
Posted by: yahaira | November 25, 2008 12:18 PM
That is just amazing! I'm sorry that it doesn't fit like you want it too and that the yarn pills. What a disappointment.
Posted by: tiennie | November 25, 2008 12:24 PM
such a pity about the yarn, because the sweater looks great!
and thank you for all your input when I knit my first one (err, yeah, I'm 3/4 of the way through the second one)
Mine seems to stay up on my shoulders pretty well - but then again, the yarn I used is much lighter than silk.
have a great thanksgiving!
Posted by: Teyani | November 25, 2008 12:46 PM
yeah, call it a bonehead yarn substitution! it's still a pretty kickass sweater if I say so myself.
Posted by: yahaira | November 25, 2008 12:54 PM
wow! what an amazing pullover!
Posted by: gleek | November 25, 2008 2:55 PM
Wow this pullover is amazing. Have added it straight to my Rav queue!
Posted by: EtSu | November 25, 2008 3:11 PM
man.. after all that weaving and effort.. i can totally understand why you have a love/hate relationship with it. The pilling is insane! On the upside, however, it looks incredible and the color and cables just pop.
Posted by: winnie | November 25, 2008 4:58 PM
Wow again! The design is devine, the knitting perfect and it looks great on you to boot. But how in the world did you knit that in 9 days???
Great job.
Posted by: Sheila | November 25, 2008 4:59 PM
I can see what you mean about the yarn. It was probably incredibly seductive when you bought it, but just doesn't hold up to the wear. Very aggravating considering it was probably pretty expensive! I know I have become so much more aware of this issue of late (and have blogged about it).
One suggestion for the fit - do you think you can add a button tab on the neck placket to pull it in?
Posted by: knithoundbrooklyn | November 25, 2008 5:16 PM
Love the sweater! ButI do know how pilling can ruin the love affair sometimes.
Great job!
Posted by: Peacock Chic | November 25, 2008 7:08 PM
oh no, i'm so sad about the yarn not holding up. 'cause damn, that's a nice looking sweater. seriously, i love it.
Posted by: melissa | November 25, 2008 8:15 PM
It looks so cozy! At least it will be a very chic house sweater? I'm sorry to hear about the lame-o yarn. I hate pilly yarn! Grrr!
On the upside, you've totally inspired me to stash-dive for something that will work for this sweater! It looks so comfortable and interesting with those big cables!
Posted by: Alli | November 25, 2008 9:38 PM
Gorgeous!
Posted by: Veronique | November 26, 2008 11:31 AM
I think you should add a clasp. They have nice ones in the button section.
Posted by: texasdawn | November 26, 2008 1:06 PM
I love that pattern and it looks super warm and cozy. Too bad about the yarn - I think this would look great in a more rugged yarn. Hmmm. Something for me to consider.
Posted by: Stephanie | November 26, 2008 3:07 PM
It's a gorgeous sweater! It's just too bad that the yarn pills like crazy (something I'm willing to deal with in malabrigo, because it is crazy soft).
Posted by: Seanna Lea | December 1, 2008 4:00 PM
Bummer about the yarn. But if it's any consolation- the sweater is still gorgeous- those cables are amazing!
Posted by: Nonnahs | December 1, 2008 8:44 PM
this is amazing! I can't even imagine knitting a scarf let alone an entire sweater! I love the hood!
Posted by: ...love Maegan | March 13, 2009 9:59 AM