Oh my goodness gracious! Can you believe that January's almost over?!? I'm glad I finished this sweater in time for this cold snap we've been having.
--*record screech*
Yes I just said "finished a sweater"! I finished my first sweater!!! Yippee!!!
My Mom and Dad bought me the "My First Sweater" Craftsy class for Christmas, as well as the yarn to make it. I have to say the instruction of Amy Ross (the teacher of the class) was excellent, and the format of the class was very easy to navigate through. By the end of the third lesson I was going off on my own and figuring out what the next steps meant without having to consult the class. That's how good it was!
Here are some more details about the makeup of the cardigan if you're wondering:
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Yarn in Fisherman. Fiber content: 80% Acrylic, 20% Wool.
Buttons: Vintage J.C. Penney's shell buttons as well as a matching button from my stash.
Pattern: My First Sweater Class Pattern, Cardigan version.
Any Alterations to the Pattern? Yes, I actually shortened the waist of the cardigan since the original had the ribbing sitting at your hips and I prefer my cardigans to be closer to waist length. I also shortened the collar length to more around 5 inches as opposed to the original 8 the pattern called for.
Hours to complete: Oh my, well it took me a month to complete, but that was with several sick days (knitting in bed all day long) and non knitting days mixed in.
Make Again? Yep! If I ever want a quick and simple sweater pattern I'll definitely be using this one. As far as future makes go, I'm looking forward to trying my hand at some vintage patterns!
First Worn: The hour it was finished.
Wear Again? YOU BETCHA! This sweater is definitely going to be on the regular rotation in my wardrobe.
I still can't believe I've actually accomplished something that's been on my list of "must do before I die"* accomplishments ever since I found out you could knit yourself a sweater. I'm so grateful to all of the lovely vintage bloggers out there who inspired me to try my hand at knitting for myself, and to my Mom and Dad for giving me the class and the yarn that I needed.
Have you ever knitted yourself something?
Ever knitted a sweater?
What do you think of my sweater?
Blessings,
Brigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
P.S. I'm wearing the cardigan with my homemade 1950's shirtwaist dress, Thrifted Heels, Gifted Vintage Hat, and Homemade Petticoats (yes two petticoats. It was below zero when we took these photos. Yikes!)
*I don't really have such a list, but I do have several things that I want to actually do in my life that I keep stored up in my head. :)
That is a very beautiful sweater! It looks so toasty too! I crochet more than I knit and I am my own worst critic when it comes to wearable garments I made. I know where all the flaws are and they tend to get shoved in the back of the closet even though others probably wouldn't see any flaws at all.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jill!
DeleteI know what you mean about being your own worst critic. But sometimes you just have to get up the courage and wear the thing! :)
Brigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
This is really neat! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI knit scarves and earwarmers, but I have never tried anything bigger. Currently I am working on a 100% wool bag.
Just wondering, did you do something new with your hair? It looks slightly different. :)
~Hannah
Thanks Hannah! Oohh! A Wool bag sounds like a lovely piece to make.
DeleteYes, I did do something slightly different with my hair. At my last haircut I got bangs, so that's what's changed. :)
Brigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
Fabulous job!!! I am super intimidated by the thought of knitting, so that makes me that much more impressed! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lily! I was very intimidated by knitting myself a sweater, but I figured as long as I had good instruction I could do it. I think something I've started to learn this year as far as making and altering things go is to not be afraid to touch and change something. The confidence will come as you get further in to the project.
DeleteBrigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
Fabulous work Brigid!! It turned out so wonderful! The fit is just stunning!
ReplyDeleteIt always feel so nice to finish a project that has been in the works!
Making myself a sweater has been on my list forever too!! If I can make myself socks I think I can handle it. Now to find the time...next season perhaps?
Thank you so much for sharing! I love the outfit you put along with it! The fabric of that dress *swoon* :)
Cassie
Thanks Cassie! Have you made yourself socks?!? That's next on my list of knits to make since I bought a Craftsy class on it. Yes, the fabric of this dress is still my favorite too. :)
DeleteBrigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
Yes I have. Hopefully I will finish a pair soon to feature on the blog.
DeleteThey are such fun! It is nice to have a different kind of pattern every once in a while!
Cassie
You did an awesome job! I love how the sweater goes with your dress. So retro... Although I am a knitter , I have never ventured to make a sweater. You may already have an account, but anyone who knits or crochets should have a ravelry account. It is the most wonderful resource imaginable. ( I just wish there was a site like this for sewing.) Thanks for the inspiration. Mikhaila
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion Mikhaila! I'll be sure to look into Ravelry.
DeleteBrigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
I've never so much as finished a scarf - much less a sweater. You have given me great courage. . .and it looks absolutely adorable! Your stitches are so nice and even. I am thoroughly jealous. :)
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Bethany! Glad to have offered some encouragement to someone. :)
DeleteAs far as even stitches go... Ha! If only you saw parts of it up close. Not so even... I suppose that all comes with time and practice. ;)
Brigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
What a great accomplishment! I don't knit myself, but there's time when I wish I did, because I'd love to make sweaters and such. :)
ReplyDeleteWow!! Amazing! It is a beautiful sweater!! How exciting to finish and accomplish making it. I too have one of those lists in my head, hehe. By the way, I love the sweet look of the entire outfit as well :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jazzmin ♥
Wow that's great Brigid. I've made lots of baby sweaters, but never a sweater for myself. It looks simply beautiful! Great work:)
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Your sweater turned out beautifully! :)
ReplyDeleteYour sweater is stunning! And I'm with you on preferring sweaters and tops that sit at one's natural waist rather than at one's hips. It's so hard to find such things, because it is no longer the fashion (and hasn't been for decades) to acknowledge one's natural waistline. It's next to impossible to find skirts that sit at the natural waist!!
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, it looks like I'll have to learn to knit, and make a lovely sweater like yours!! :) It's amazing to think that something so beautiful can be knit on one's own...
Excellent job on the sweater! :D It's lovely. I like the rest of your outfit too, especially the dress. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't knit, but I crochet (on occasion). Probably, the most complicated thing I've ever made was probably renaissance caps for myself and the other girls in my history class
Ooooo. . . I love your sweater. I have knitted flat objects and recently started knitting socks. . . But I have never done a sweater. I must learn!
ReplyDeleteI crochet as well and have made a few hats and mittens. I have already worn them plenty this this winter. Doesn't wearing things that you make youeself give you a thrill!
God Bless,
Natalie