February 20, 2008
And now a little garter stitch for me.
Since finishing the Baby Surprise Jacket, I've been knitting exclusively on my Juliet sweater. I'd like to finish this one soon so that I can wear it while it's still cold out. I am loving how the Noro Iro is knitting up. I'm on a finishing roll or something...it's crazy. Of course now that I've said that, I'm not going to finish anything for months!?! Oh well...I'll keep on knitting.
I've never really been good at taking the mirror-type self portraits that so many people take so well, but last night I was desperate. Ignore the silly look of concentration on my face, I needed to see what this sweater looked like on me and I need your opinion on it. So, here is my question to you, how much more garter stitch should I knit? I'm making the longer version of this sweater, plus I'm thinking that I want the lace portion of this sweater to start a couple inches under my bust. How does it look so far? I took all these pictures at about 12:30 last night, so my judgment was a little skewed. I'm thinking that I will knit for about 2 or 3 more inches than move on to the lace pattern. For those that don't know what this sweater looks like, you can see it on Zephyr Style or here on Ravelry. Since my roommate was asleep and my cats don't have poseable thumbs, I had to improvise on the whole taking a self portrait thing. I did have a little furry helper though. He was very curious about what I was doing...plus he wanted a drink from the sink. Silly kitty.
If you are thinking that this cat doesn't look like Jesse...then you are correct. This is my Mom's cat, who now lives with us. When my parents moved in October they decided that Jordy should stay with me for a while since he tended to bother my Dad in the night and with my Dad still in treatment, he needs as much rest as possible. Well, he's not leaving anytime soon...and even if my Mom wants him back, he's not going anywhere. He's a part of my family now. Genia and I aren't letting him go. Plus, Jesse tolerates him and gives him the occasional lick on the head, which I take as a sign of affection. His name is Jordy after Geordi LeForge from Star Trek: Next Generation...I'm a SciFi dork!
Give me feedback on the sweater please! I'm done increasing, now I'm just knitting garter stitch to add length...so opinions, opinions!
Thanks everyone also for all the wonderful comments that you left about my BSJ. I'm so proud of the end result, and you guys were just too kind! Thanks!
*I just love his little milk mustache! So cute!*
Posted by Stacey at February 20, 2008 11:28 AMI wouldn't do too much garter stitch. The sweater already looks like it covers your bust. An empire waist line would be flattering I think so I would start the lace as soon as your bust was well covered with garter stitch. I don't think I would do more than another inch or inch and a half. Depends on the fit or silhouette you are going for though.
Posted by: Amanda at February 20, 2008 12:22 PMI'd start the lace soon. You don't want it to look like you wanted the lace to start at your waist and you missed! It's going to be gorgeous!
Posted by: Maria at February 20, 2008 12:35 PMThe Noro is beautiful!! I'm with Amanda - go for an empire waistline. I'm not a fan of the finished sweaters where the waist starts too low.
Jordy is too cute - nice to have the pics, since he isn't much for posing in person!
Posted by: michaele at February 20, 2008 12:44 PMalso - eyeloveit and SweetElise on Ravelry have pics of it done this way - with a belt/bow for empire emphasis. I think that's a good look for women with lots of milk, as they say! ;)
Posted by: michaele at February 20, 2008 12:46 PMI really think that you should start the lace now or in an inch or so. It looks really good at the length it currently is at.
It also looks like you might not want to make the lace section as wide as it is written for your size.
Good luck. I love the color and think it will look smashing.
Posted by: chrispy at February 20, 2008 12:51 PMI thought it was finished and I loved it!
Posted by: kathy b at February 20, 2008 12:54 PMI agree with the others, only another inch at most, of the garter stitch, then move on to the lace section.
Posted by: PICAdrienne at February 20, 2008 01:13 PMI'd start the lace now - I think it would look very flattering. I love the yarn/colour choice.
Beautiful cat by the way.
I agree with the empire waist comments. I am making this exact sweater and I stopped right under the bustline so it shows off a smaller waist!
And the new kitty is so cute! I can see why you don't want to give him back!
Posted by: Blanche at February 20, 2008 01:17 PMStacey~just one more inch, I would say because when I first looked at the picture and had not read the text, I thought you were going to say you were about to bind off (it is so good that it is even nice looking over your jammies). Very lovely. Blessings~
Posted by: julie at February 20, 2008 01:59 PMI wouldn't do any more. From what I've read about this pattern on ravelry, the garter stitch tends to stretch a bit once the weight of the lace is hanging there. It's going to be really cute - love that yarn!
Posted by: rohanknitter at February 20, 2008 02:03 PMJuliet is looking great! I agree with the other comments that you should start the lace part now :)
Jordy is so handsome! Nice to know where his name comes from too :D
Posted by: Terrie at February 20, 2008 03:52 PMHere is a link to another lady's version of Juilet, it's a very good photo. Maybe it will help you decide. http://knitandtonic.typepad.com/photos/fosthe_winners/juliet2.html
Posted by: Kathy at February 20, 2008 04:03 PMI think that you don't need much more garter stitch. I think it is safe to switch to lace. I thnkk it's going to look nice.
Posted by: Monica at February 20, 2008 04:03 PMSoul Sista!! I was going to say I would do another inch or two and then start the lace. I LOVE it!! The color looks great on you!
Jordy has the cutest little milk mustache!
Posted by: Kelly at February 20, 2008 04:05 PMWith blocking and all, you might be done with garter stitch now. Jordy is adorable... too bad he doeesn't come out for company.
Posted by: cyn at February 20, 2008 05:23 PMTough call...its probably time to start the lace, or very soon anyway. I looked on Rav and its in about the right place.
I LOVE the garter stitch though--it gives the Noro some texture and kinda bitmaps the color changes--great choice for the pattern!
Posted by: suzanne at February 20, 2008 06:12 PMIt looks great! I would begin the lace now:)
Posted by: Jeanie at February 20, 2008 07:20 PMI like where the garter is right now. I'd probably start the lace now.
Posted by: Wanda at February 20, 2008 09:10 PMok first, i MUST know what colorway that is. i'm a noro addict, i must admit... and by golly that is GORGEOUS.
second, i think it looks fantastic! i was a bit leery of making a juliet for myself, as i was afraid of how a bulky yarn would look on a slightly bulky body. from what i've seen in pics, we have a very similar build, and it looks FANTASTIC on you, so i might just get brave :)
Posted by: alice at February 20, 2008 09:50 PMi love the noro. might be some of the most beautiful garter stitch i have in these parts.
Posted by: emily at February 20, 2008 10:06 PMThe sweater is beautiful.
AND I love your cat -- he makes me think of the cat (Popeye) I had as a kid. He too was grey with white feet and a mustache and a beard in white - although he was a long haired cat -- your is adorable. Thanks for the memories.
Your Juliet looks amazing in the Noro! I think it is looking great, maybe another inch or 2. I love it!
Posted by: Corinne at February 21, 2008 11:18 AMHahaha... we had a dog named Tasha Yip (for Tasha Yar)... I think that was right after Tasha Yar died, actually. Heh.
I''m sorry I can't help with the sweater because I don't know what the rest of it is going to look like. I think the garter stitch looks great so far though, and I would think that if the pattern changes to something else right about where you are now, that would be good proportion-wise.
Posted by: Julie at February 21, 2008 12:16 PMAww! I love his moustache! And your jammies!
Posted by: canknitian at February 21, 2008 02:24 PMI wouldn't add even 2 inches more of garter stitch. It's at a good length and garter tends to stretch a bit too. I'd say start the lace now or if you really really want to add another inch but not too much!
Posted by: Michelle at February 21, 2008 04:08 PMMy 2 cents is probably late, but I say STOP where you are at and start knitting the lace portion up!
I need to cast-on for mine very very very soon.
It is looking good on you!
Cute milk mustache!
Posted by: Stacey at February 21, 2008 07:42 PMI think the lace should start in about an inch from there. So it starts just barelly below the bust. which you are almost at.
Posted by: Carol at February 24, 2008 08:50 AM