Celtic Cable

Celtic Cable

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Sunday, November 7, 2010

Steeks Away!

I did it!

The initial marking .... between the first and last rounds.



The button band markings ... ignore the brandy ...

Sewing the steek; four rows altogether.







The center line is where I cut:





I spent a month and 8 skeins of yarn on this sweater. I pulled back rows when I made mistakes, even when it meant going back and destroying an hour or more of work. I scrutinized the cables for errors. I redid the colorwork at the top THREE TIMES because I messed up (I don't read charts well). I actually used a row counter on the arms so they'd be exactly the same length, instead of winging it (which is what I do with socks). I drank the same amount of brandy when working on it, so that my tension and attention would remain the same. And now I have to cut it?!








I loathe the bathroom-shot, but it's the only mirror in the house. Overall, the sweater is a bit large -- one size down would have been ideal, but I don't mind it as it is. It is excessively warm (Cascade Peruvian Highlands Wool) and I took it off as soon as I was done photographing it. Like nearly all of the posters in the Ravelry Big Girl Knits group, I'm not fond of the neckline, but I am so happy to be done with the sweater that I'm leaving it as is. The button band was easier than I thought, and looks pretty good, I think, except on the K rows bottom and top where it rolls up a bit.

Side note: I had a heckuva time with the sewing machine. I spent literally ten minutes trying to figure out how to drop the foot. Literally. I almost called a friend to help. I couldn't find the instructions for threading bobbins, so I had to figure it out on my own, but I didn't tangle the thread and everything worked fine. It was overall very easy to do, and I'm very glad that I did a project that required learning new techniques. And now that I know how easy steeks are (for this project, anyway) I won't shun other steeky projects!

7 comments:

  1. LOL. I was thinking, there's SEWING involved too? Glad it worked out for you, the presser foot ordeal. I don't think I could have cut it, I would have to call someone in for that part. My hands would be over my eyes as they did it too!

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  2. It was nerve wracking. The sewing really did the trick, though. I did the 2nd smallest line of stitches, and went slowly. Almost got my fingers sewn too, but that's just natural clumsiness for me. And I was VERY careful cutting it.

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  3. R and I are both very impressed. It looks lovely.

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  4. You do four rows of sewing too for steeks! Me too. Much safer that way.
    I will definitely use steeking again after my first project, the pink EZ cardie. Thanks for your comment on that!
    Love your cardigan, it's gorgeous.
    If you find the neckline only a little too loose then you could try puting an elastic thread through the very top of the ribbing and possible a second one through the bottom row of it (a little looser than the top one) - just to make the neckline that little bit more snug. And maybe move the top button in a bit more?
    I've used an elastic thread through the very top of the ribbing to very good effect.
    Your cardigan is really, really gorgeous! I hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of wearing it.

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  5. Congrats! I love the sweater and the neckline. Of course, I love wearing turtle necks so that is perfect for my style.

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  6. You did a great job! I love the way it looks (though I would change the neckline too - I've never been as fond of a boat-neck, but that's just me :P) You inspire me - I will try again some day, just can't yet... So I'll continue to be inspired by you until I can't stand it any more!

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  7. I think I might actually pick up stitches around the neckline and add a few rows. When I wear it, the weight of it pulls it down and it almost comes off my shoulders. Do you all think that would look odd?

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