The yarn purchased to be Coachella has decided that it has other plans within itself. In fact, it has done a great job of guiding me in a "go ahead and wing it" design.
But now I'm stuck. The fit is good, the length is almost good (another couple of rows and a bind off and it will be good), and I like it. There are a few problems...
1. The armholes are too big. I was thinking some kind of picked up stitches under the arm and some short rows might be able to close it enough to be bra hiding.
2. The neckline is a wee bit low for my normal tastes. And I do really want to have a cowl-like type neck as in Coachella, but I'm not completely sure how to do that (I'm thinking picking up stitches and short rows might work here as well).
3. The shoulder straps are majorly curling under, which if fixable I'll fix, if not, I can probably live with.
I know I have some readers who kick-ass at designing things and other readers who are very creative thinkers. Any ideas on tackling the above three problems?
Some helpful details...
*My gauge is 14sts x 20 rows per 4 inches. That's 3.5 spi.
*The gauge is nice and drapey. And also a bit "open," which is why I'd like a bit of a "cover-up" neckline/collar.
*I have 2 skeins unused. I figure about 1/2 will be needed for the underarm fix and the rest can be dedicated to the neck.
(Sorry for the crappy in the mirror with no flash self-portraits!)
Comments (5)
Sorry I don't have any suggestions for the cowl issue. You can crochet around the armholes to close up some of the gap of the armholes. If not, you may need to redo it from the armholes to not be as long. If you're going to attach a cowl to the neck, then it will be fine, otherwise, perhaps attaching crochet to the edging as well to help close up that neckline. With Tivoli, I added a crochet edging to the neckline and bottom to help stop the curling and it closed up some of my neckline as well.
Posted by Wanda | June 25, 2007 2:09 AM
Posted on June 25, 2007 02:09
So I'm off the internet for a weekend and you (a) have had a 90210 marathon before (b) finding a new yarn shop where you (c) get great yarn with which you (d) start a new project that you (e) get approximately 13/-1/2 through & discover it doesn't work so you(f) rip that (g) start another new project and (h) practically finish it.
Lady, you are one Very. Fast. Knitter. :-)
Posted by Cordelia | June 25, 2007 2:54 PM
Posted on June 25, 2007 14:54
hmm...well, a cowl is really nothing more than some extra fabric in the upper front. here's what i'd try:
- pickup sts all the way around the front neckline.
- then, starting at the bottom part of the U of the neck, knit back and forth, knitting one more st on each side for each row (similar to how you do a top-down sleeve...have you done one before?)
- you'll need to add increases in there so it'll cowl and not lay flat against you. i'd aim for around doubling by the time you're at the top of the cowl.
i haven't tried this at all myself, so i'm really just giving you my first thoughts.
as for the curling, how about some single crochet or crab st?
Posted by jody | June 25, 2007 8:58 PM
Posted on June 25, 2007 20:58
Go find a copy of Knitting Over the Edge. I am almost positive she gives tips on making a cowl neckline - unfortunately, I can't check for sure right now...
I think you have a great idea, regardless.
Posted by Terby | June 29, 2007 4:14 PM
Posted on June 29, 2007 16:14
I think you're on the right track on picking up stitches for the underarm, but you might try (if you are not totally wedded to the completely sleeveless look) picking up all the way around the armhole and knitting decreasing rounds to bring it in some, and use a little bit of short-rowing along the top to give you a cap sleeve.
That would balance the weight of a cowl neckline (modified or otherwise). You know, of course, if you are not quite sure if the neckline is too low, that the weight of a cowl is going to make it lower... so I'd go ahead and pick up at the lower neck edge and work up until you're comfortable with the relative exposure, and then add another half-inch or so to make sure the cowl doesn't pull it down.
Just wish I could wear red - any red at all - without looking like an overcooked tomato!
Posted by Baraka | June 30, 2007 3:26 AM
Posted on June 30, 2007 03:26