We've really been enjoying watching the Olympic Games. The opening ceremony was spectacular, and so many of the events have been exciting so far! I do like a good reason to stay in my PJs and knit all day, too ;)
I had one setback with my Olympic sweater. For some reason, I thought it would be a good idea for the sweater to have some positive ease (where the unstretched sweater is bigger than I am), but in practice it looked like it would not be flattering. I think the thinner yarn really looks better with a little bit of negative ease.
In all, I wanted to get rid of about 24 stitches, which is a little less than 4 inches. I thought about ripping back, but that's a lot of work to lose, and I'm on a deadline. I decided to steek up the back to remove half of those stiches, and then to turn the sweater into a cardigan eventually (I had been considering this anyway), and get rid of the remaining 12 stitches when I steek the front.
Since I hadn't marked the steek section at all before, I drew down the line of stitches I wanted to machine sew with a line of chalk. I think this yarn is superwash, so I didn't want to take any chances with crochet reinforcement.
After I machine stitched over the chalk lines and cut the sweater apart, I seamed it back up. It looks really good in my opinion, with the only really noticeable section in the ribbing.
I've finished about 10 inches of the body, and I usually knit about 15.5 - 16 inches before going on to the yoke. I think I'm on pretty good track so far!
You go girl! I am in awe of your steeking skill.
Posted by: Linda | August 10, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Lookin' good!
Posted by: Sharon | August 10, 2008 at 08:38 PM
It looks great! You're doing wonderfully....
Posted by: --Deb | August 10, 2008 at 09:14 PM
You are so brave! I know who to call on for support if I'm ever brave enough to steek!
Posted by: leah | August 10, 2008 at 10:15 PM
I love those colors. Way to take charge with that steeking. I've yet to venture there.
Posted by: Cassy | August 11, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Gold may not be easy but you make it look easy! What a great solution and you really can't tell where you steeked. Keep on knitting!
Posted by: Kim | August 11, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Badass! That last picture is really the steeked and sewn back together part? You can't even tell! SO cool!
Posted by: Ariel | August 11, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Amazing work! Wow.
Posted by: tiennie | August 11, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Ooh, impressive sweater surgery. It looks perfect!
Posted by: Emma | August 11, 2008 at 07:44 PM
wow. that is impressive.
great job!
Posted by: leslie | August 11, 2008 at 11:05 PM
I can't even see it in the ribbing! You are GOOD. ;-)
Posted by: Beth S. | August 12, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Well done! A very creative and timely solution. Good luck! You seem very much on track to finish in time.
Posted by: Brenda | August 12, 2008 at 08:39 PM
You are a steeking queen!
Posted by: Jessica | August 14, 2008 at 10:56 AM