Levenwick--Home Stretch!

I need to start taking photos before 11pm...

I finished the cuffs on the sleeves tonight.  The pattern instructions threw me for a loop...they said to knit back and forth in rows.  I couldn't visualize how to do this on DPNs, so I posted a question in the "Techniques" forum of Ravelry and got a few helpful replies!  I was able to figure it out tonight with that help and the sleeves are done!!  I made them "bracelet length" (I think--from what I've seen on other people's finished projects): not too long because I think they will stretch out a bit with wash/wear.  I'm glad I made the full length sleeves.  I think it looks more complete with full sleeves.  Plus, I still have quite a bit of yarn left over...maybe enough to make a baby/child sized hat.

Surprisingly, the sweater bounced right back up after it was totally dry and is not as drapey as it was when I tried it on the other day.  The label for this yarn does say it can be machine washed and dried on gentle so I did throw it in the dryer on gentle for about 2 minutes just to see how it would hold up.  I'm glad it can go in the dryer because it was taking forever to dry on towels.

Anyways, I also knit the pocket tonight and have it blocked and drying.  I'm going to go to a big fabric store this weekend and look for buttons--hope I find some I like!!  I want to pick something that doesn't distract too much from the lacework on the sweater, so probably something small and red/pink.

Levenwick Sweater Blocked

I blocked my sweater last night.  I bought a sample of "Soak" at my LYS to use instead of my usual Woolite.  Apparently some people think Woolite is too abrasive/damaging, but I've always found it to be fine when I've used it.  Anyways, since this is my biggest knitting accomplishment thus far, I thought I'd get the "good stuff."  :)  It's no rinse which is nice when you're soaking a big item.  I didn't read up much on blocking ahead of time, and I just squeezed the water out afterwards while holding it up.  Later I read that you should try not to lift the sweater unsupported because it can stretch out too much.  It's better to just squeeze out the water in a towel.  Anyways, when I laid the sweater out to dry I got a little nervous because it looked a lot bigger!!  Nervous enough to lay down next to the sweater to see if it looked like it would still fit my torso--ha!  :)  (I knew it would get a little bigger since I had done a wash/dry gauge swatch and I was expecting it to grow about 1/4 inch for every 2 inches.)

I tried it on this morning, though, and it is fitting nicely!  The body was a little short to begin with, so I like the new length.  The sleeve that I made full length looks just about right.  I just need to add the hem.  I thought I might have to frog a few rows from the sleeve before doing that but I think it is ok (see my arm on the door in the second photo).  The blocking did take care of some of the jog that was on the second sleeve.  I don't think I'll re-knit it.

So, overall I think it is a success!  I like the way the scalloped front band lays now after it's been blocked.  The yarn definitely became a lot drapier when washed but it is soft and pretty.

Levenwick Sleeves Round 2

I finished the second sleeve and there is still a slight jog where I alternated skeins.  It's not as visible as the first, but really there's not a huge difference and it's barely visible when the sweater is on.  I don't really know what I could have done differently since I was taking care to not pull tightly each time I changed skeins on the second sleeve.  Maybe it is just something that I will get more skilled at with practice?

Sleeve 1 on left, Sleeve 2 on right

It doesn't seem worth it to frog and re-knit the first sleeve when there is not a huge difference between the two.  As someone said on Ravelry, maybe I can consider it a faux design feature.  We'll see...

Now to decide whether or not to make the sleeves full length.  I have enough yarn to do so I think.

Levenwick Sleeve Saga

Just an update--I'm continuing to knit the sleeves...I think this is my second time doing them.  As you saw in the last picture, they are fitting a lot better now on size 7 needles, but I inadvertently caused a big jog, or line, down the sleeve by pulling too tightly each time I alternated skeins of yarn.  This *might* block out, but it might not, and I think it bothers me too much to keep it in.  So, I left that sleeve for now and started the second one over again, this time with the size 7 needle and paying much more attention to my tension and trying not to pull too tightly when changing yarn.  I am also dropping the unused yarn strand to the front of my work each time so any line that is caused will hopefully end up on the inside of the sleeve.

The sleeve saga continues...I am learning a lot through trial and error but still hoping to complete my sweater soon so I can wear it this winter and spring.

Levenwick Sleeve 1

The sleeves are going much better now!  I started the second sleeve on a size 7 needle (one size up from the gauge needle) and it is fitting perfectly.  I only knit until it was 3/4 length and then put it on a lifeline.  The pattern calls for the sweater to have three quarter length sleeves but if I have enough yarn I may make them full length.  I'm going to re-do the second sleeve now on the size 7 needle and then see how much yarn I have left over.  

Getting closer to finishing this!!  Can't wait to wear my sweater...

Levenwick Update: Stuck at the Sleeves

I'm still working on my sweater...bottom is bound off now, and all that is left are the sleeves.  The body of the sweater was knit back and forth, and I am knitting the sleeves in the round.  Unfortunately, I've realized that I knit at a tighter gauge in the round than on straight needles.  So, my sleeve stitches are looking smaller, thus making the sleeves tighter.  After doing some reading on Ravelry, I've learned this is a common issue.  So now the question is: Do I block the sleeve and see how much it will stretch out?  Or do I rip out what I have done of the sleeve so far and knit with one needle size larger?  Or, should I start the second sleeve with the bigger needles and see if I like the difference?

I'm stuck at the sleeves and feeling a little unmotivated to keep going.  Knitting one long tube is not so much fun when you know that once you finish it, you have an identical one to start!

Levenwick Front Bands Done

Sweater is just pinned together to give you an idea of how it will look.

I finished the feather and fan front band tonight (complete with button holes), and then attached it to the front of the sweater with a 3 needle bind off.  In order to attach the band to the front of the sweater, I had to pick up and knit 116 stitches along the right front band.  It took me over an hour just to pick up those stitches!!!  I kept getting close to the end and realizing I still had way more stitches to go than would fit.  It's really tricky to pick up so many stitches and space them evenly apart.  I told Jim that this is why no one will ever get a handknit sweater from me other than my child (small sized sweater!).  When I wear and enjoy this sweater, I will know how much time and effort I put into it!!

Next up is the hem.  I need to knit about a half inch more and do an I cord bind off.  Then I will do the sleeves.  I have a lot of yarn left.  Looks like I will be able to make full length sleeves but we'll see.