Well, here is the finished 1930's 3 hour sweater. I am not super pleased with it to be honest, I needed to have made it larger, the raglan seam is still too tight. Plus with the size 10 needles the resulting fabric is just so sheer! You can very clearly see I am wearing an ivory camisole underneath, since sadly I don't have dark mustard yellow one that would have blended in better. I still love the color of the yarn, and the overall style of the sweater, but there are things I would do differently if I were to ever knit this pattern again. In the end I knitted this sweater twice, once before I knew how awful seaming was going to be without knit stitches on the edges, and then I frogged the whole thing and re-knit the front and back taking better care with how I did the decreases and adding a knit stitch to the edges. I also knit the sleeves several times before I got something I could work with, and even still they are a bit too small. I found this pattern too vague for a beginner like me, I needed to have everything spelled out for me instead of having to guess. It also isn't the best pattern for a busty shape like mine in the end.
Still, I learned soooo much from making this sweater that I can apply to future projects, and I am very excited for future projects! Most of all I learned I quite like knitting, which is a good thing because finding vintage styled sweaters is no easy task. I have already started my next knitting project, I promise I'll write about that project soon.
Since I wasn't thrilled with the way the sweater looks on me, I tried to balance that feeling out by wearing my favorite fall berries hat again. Frivolous hats are always a nice mood lifter! I don't think you can particularly tell in these photos, but I dyed my hair again so it is nice and dark now again. I hadn't done it in so long that my hair was practically ombre with my ends being so faded. Now I'm back to my darker shade and am loving the subtle change.
 |
| Sweater: Knit by me (pattern, yarn) Skirt: Made by me Shoes: Amazon Hat: Made by me Brooch: Vintage, gift Earrings: Made by me |
I know you've already finished yours now, but for future reference, I have posted my adapted version of this pattern on my blog, which has different needles and is graded up a bit to about a 40-42 inch bust http://missdixieodare.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/finished-3-hour-sweater-and-adapted.html I love the colour you have used though, it looks so authentic!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dixie! I was actually aware of your version of the pattern but foolishly thought adding a few stitches to the original pattern would be enough. I did knit the sweater twice and added a few more, I needed to add more yet :)
DeleteIt might not have come out 100% how you would have liked, but seriously, sweet dear, I am doffing my hat over here at you something fierce. That is flat out fantastic for a first knitting attempt and just shows what an incredible affinity for fashion related arts that you have. I say bravo and then some on this beautiful mustard yellow knit!
ReplyDeleteBig hugs,
♥ Jessica
Thank you Jessica! <3
DeleteI think you did very well on your first project! Beginners usually only tackle scarves and hats maybe... The most important thing for a first anything, is just to have fun and learn from the process. I can tell the sweater is too small, but you'll get the sizing right with practice. I struggle with fitted jumpers is the length. When you pull on a tight jumper, the sideways stretching affects the length, but I have yet to nail the formula on just how much :D We all have our demons!
ReplyDeleteBe proud of your first jumper, and yes; your hat makes it all perfect ;)
Thank you Siri! Luckily I don't mind sweaters being quite cropped as I'll only ever wear them with my high waisted skirts but I could have added a bit more width to this sweater for sure. The worst part of the fit is still the seams between the body and the raglan sleeve, I don't know how I would have made that larger, but I needed to have done so! At least figuring out I should leave an extra knit stitch along the seams for seaming made sewing it up the second time a million times easier!
DeleteYour sweater looks a million times better than I would ever be able to manage! This is such a lovely autumnal/fall look and the colouring of your photos just accentuates that. Kx
ReplyDeleteThank you! Practice makes perfect I suppose, so off to practice I go!
DeleteWooow, what a beautiful sweater! I wish I could knit like that.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lindsay! I am just learning myself, though picking it up has been both easier and more fun than I first imagined it would be :)
DeleteLove it! And as a first time project, I'm truly impressed. I love vintage knits and as you say they are hard to find, Brava!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I wish someone out there was reproducing vintage knits at a more affordable price point, I'll just have to keep learning to knit them myself :)
DeleteCongratulations for finishing your sweater! I think it looks lovely, but I suppose that whenever I make something I always feel like something is wrong with it too, so I can sympathise with your not feeling entirely satisfied - but all of us can't see any of your mistakes. :) I think it looks great. Well done for persevering with it and showing it here!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ellie! I always have that feeling too, it is the rarest of projects when there is nothing you would change!
DeleteI think you did a great job! I've made the 3-hour sweater myself three times now, and know what you mean about the sheerness of the knit and vague instructions. I'm actually quite impressed how yours came out, especially since you are a beginner knitter :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Kate! I'm glad you have wrangled the pattern to work for you, I'd like to try it again someday with a few modifications. I like the idea of the sweater and I wonder if I could re-size it for a different size needles so that the resulting knit would be more opaque. A project for the future when I get more proficient perhaps! Thanks for the support :)
DeleteI've got to say, aside from the fact that that sweater is amazing for practically a first attempt (I mean, seriously), and that the hat is exquisite, your photo locations are always so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Shauna! I am lucky that Colorado is so beautiful and I try and make use of the surroundings! Soon everything will be covered in snow which will severely limit my usual photography stomping grounds :)
Deleteoooh I wish I could knit.. That sweater is super cute <3
ReplyDeleteThank you Sara, I just had to learn as I was tired of thinking just the same! It has been a leaning adventure for sure.
DeleteGlorious light in these photos! I think you should be really proud of your first knitting attempt, you might not be 100% happy with it but you do have a working wearable garment which is a big achievement. I like the shape and the colour is fantastic with your marvellous hat.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate! I usually can catch the golden hour before sunset as the sun sets so darn early now!
DeleteI think you did a fantastic job, and while I know the frustration of something not turning out quite like you had planned it's still a great, usable sweater for your first knitting!! I think I knitted a scarf that had tons of holes in it. So go you!! ❤
ReplyDeletexox,
bonita of Lavender & Twill
Thank you Bonita! I started by knitting a little practice scarf but never even finished it as I just jumped into sweaters! I'm definitely still learning :)
Delete