Here is another sweater that I recently rescued from my UFO piles. It’s called the Sky Sweater. I started it in December 2011 after I fell in love with it in the premiere issue of knit.wear. I remember working on it fairly monogamously last winter, but when it came to finishing the arm bands that connect to the arm buttons and blocking the beast, I lost interest. With my expanding pregnant belly last year, I knew I would not be wearing it until this winter.
I made the sweater in the exact yarn and color of the pattern sample. It seemed really classy in that color and this is the first grey sweater I’ve knitted. Normally I never shy from colors, even if those colors often end up being somewhat close to aqua or mustard. I do have my favorites.
This sweater has many construction techniques I had not used on previous sweaters. It was a mostly seamless piece from the top down. The shoulder shaping was done with short rows. I love the look of it, and I love avoiding set in sleeves at the same time.
I used the recommended Creative Focus Worsted in Charcoal. It’s a singly ply yarn that is 75% wool and 25% alpaca. It’s not the softest thing I’ve ever worn, but I think I’m slightly sensitive to alpaca. I anticipate always wearing a layering piece with this. The yarn is made by Rowan, but I believe it used to be made by Nashua at one time. I used it on a Treeline Cardigan years ago. It holds up pretty well, with a little felting at the armpits and an expected amount of pilling.
The sweater is meant to have several inches of positive ease in the arms and chest with feminine waist shaping. I made the 42.5″ bust size. I made this sweater as if I would be springing back to my pre-baby size in no time. I don’t think all of these expansions, especially the boobs (aka the milk factories) are going away just yet. Luckily, I still love the way that it fits and I feel like I should be sipping some hot cocoa at a ski lodge when I wear it.
On a more personal note, I really really try not to get down about my post-pregnancy body not snapping back into form as easily as I thought it would. I want to cultivate a more positive body image for myself, and also as a healthy example for my daughter. I know this sounds like I’m fishing for compliments or assurances. I’m not, but it does suck not to be able to wear most of my clothing. I’m trying to be patient with myself, assuage my voracious appetite, and get some exercise when I can. I just want to be honest about this process for other ladies out there that might be going through this or will in the future, because somewhere in my head I believed that all of the baby weight would fall away in a matter of months if I was breastfeeding. It’s more of a slow and very gradual loss. I feel like my shoulders belong to a football player in some outfits. Thank goodness knitting is so forgiving.
I love this sweater and you look fantastic!!! I have a 16 month old, and my saving grace was that he LOVED the jogging stroller from a very early age, but I know that not all babies do…
Be good to yourself and know that we just can’t do it all… I wish I had more time for knitting and sewing… sigh. Your blog definitely helps amp the motivation to get out there and knit, though!
Oh, and by the way, now that we’re almost weaned, I’m at that *enviable* phase where my bo.obs have completely disappeared! ha! Not only do none of my nursing bras fit anymore, but none of my pre-pregnancy bras fit right either! (good thing I really don’t need them anymore…)
I’m also struggling with the post-pregnancy body. My son will be 1 in April and I haven’t lost much weight at all (and I breastfeed!). Every woman is different and I hear that every pregnancy is different. It really does suck though, especially since I do try to be active and eat healthily (but am always slightly hungry it seems).
When you stop nursing it is fairly common to lose about 5 lbs and as you lose that tired thing you will have more energy for exercise.
I gave up knitting any cardigans with buttons or pullovers last year too. I’ve decided that I’m not trying to fool anyone, I just had a baby! While most of my pre pregnancy clothes are starting to fit again, my sweaters and shirts are not and I feel TOTALLY conspicuous. I’m trying to remind myself that I am who I am and this body helped me birth a healthy baby.
I haven’t had a kid (yet?) but have sisters who are in the same place. I can empathize and imagine I would/will struggle just the same as you are. Even though I’m not a mom right now, I use the workouts from this blog (Crossfit Mamas: http://calicrossfit.blogspot.com/). They are quick, effective, and often don’t require much equipment at all. Maybe you can give them a try while the kiddo naps. If anything, they might make you feel better mentally by getting the endorphins pumping!
They (and knitting) help me between drudging dissertation writing sessions. Happy knitting! 🙂
This sweater is beautiful! I love it in gray– it’s a really classic look. The button tabs are such a cool detail, too.
I know you weren’t fishing for compliments, but you really do look great, even if you don’t feel quite like yourself. It really hasn’t been very long since Zooey was born!
I really like this sweater and I think you picked the perfect color for it, it really suits the design! And it looks great on you, very flattering!
As far as the whole baby body thing, I feel your ”pain”, I have been there…..actually am there! I was lucky not to gain weight during my last 2 pregnancies and stilI lost some weight pretty fast while brestfeeding, but after I stopped nursing I started gaining…..not fun! I am struggeling now but have learned to be kinder to myself.
I know you weren’t fishing, but I think you look beautiful and I wouldn’t have guessed you just had a baby. And I love the way you did your hair, so cute!
Have a great weekend!
Greater jumper. Love it.
Don’t worry about your weight you look great – as a mum of 4 I’ve been there. It takes time, As long as you and Z are healthy.
your creativity and skill, the sparkle in your eyes, the talent that sweater shows, the wonderful baby you are raising…all of these are SO much more important than the ominous pre pregnancy weight you end your post with. Celebrate all that you are and remember that a womans body is an amazing thing — never forget its abilities –dont let anything lesson that joy.
I kid you not, this week I was flipping through this issue of knit.wear and wondered if you’d finished this sweater! I always find alpaca to have a slight prickle factor. The sweater looks great and so do you!
You look beautiful!!! What a great sweater! I love how wide the sleeves are and the way they are rolled is really classy. I am constantly in awe of how quickly you can knit everything!
What a fantastic sweater! I love the way it fits, and think it’ll look equally good with some positive ease, which makes it an awesome piece to have. Good call on finally finishing it.
You look great, and the sweater looks fabulous. I’ve just had my second baby in 18 months. My body’s not going back to its pre-baby shape any time soon. I think it will take time.
Thank you! I’ve also just had a baby, and my body certainly isn’t what it used to be. It’s challenging to wrap your mind around your body taking time to get “back to normal”. It’s great to see someone speak openly about the changes that come with having a new little WIP in your life.
Your knitting is great, as well as prolific. I am amazed at how much you’ve been able to knit lately!
Thanks again!