I was inspired by Bethany’s lovely example to knit a Gemini . This is the second pattern from Knitty on my needles right now. Yea for Knitty! I started this last night and I’m through the lace portion, so it’s mostly auto pilot knitting.
I decided to follow the raglan modifications done by this Raveler (who made a badass Gemini dress), and increase only every other round after the lace portion. I’m making the 30.5 size because the pattern dictates choosing a size that accounts for 4 inches of negative ease. That means that if my bust is 34.5, I should knit a 30.5 to fit like the model/designer shows on the original. I also suspect that my 100% cotton version will expand a bit. I might also stop increasing the sleeves around 66 sts, but continue increasing the rest of the body as many have mentioned on Ravelry. I’m still thinking about that one.
Sometimes I’m thrown by bust measurements. I wish patterns consistently indicated whether you should account for your full bust (around the widest possible part of your bust, right in the middle of the girls), or high bust (right under your armpits). I usually default to under the armpits, but I’ve also read and heard that your shoulder measurement is the most important (Amy Herzog and Ysolda discuss this) and you can insert bust darts via short rows to adjust if necessary. Pre-baby, my bust was pretty modest and I’m anticipating that bust post-breastfeeding, so I have been making things in that size. I still have a bit of baby weight to drop to be closer to my former size, but so far knitting has been fairly forgiving.
You might notice in the picture above that I’m knitting the sweater from what looks like a swatch. I originally picked up this yarn (Rowan Purelife Organic DK in Logwood) at Hand Held for cheap cheap cheap on the discount rack. I had 5 skeins of grey and 2 skeins of a peach color and I intended to make napkins. I made 2 peach napkins. They’re ok, but not fantastic, and I got sick of making napkins. I actually had a grey one almost finished, save a few rows, but I realized I had enough yardage for Gemini, so it is getting upgraded to becoming a sweater. In the knitting echelon, I suspect that’s a higher calling than napkin. The pattern is knit with a cotton linen blend, so I might lack some structure in the end, but it’s soft and lovely. I’ll risk it.
I bound off my mom’s socks today! Pics of those and Matt’s socks are coming soon! Now I’m down to just one pair of socks on the needles…
In sewing, if you are a decent cup size, you would sew according to the high bust measurements but with an adjustment made to the pattern to accommodate the bust. I’ve done the same with knitting.
That’s helpful to know. I used to assume this about knitting until I came across a couple of patterns that insisted the user should measure full bust and I’ve been questioning my methods.
The colour is so beautiful! I’ve had gemini on my list for ages and already swatched for it … Still have to pluck up the courage, though. 😉 I put it off, because the bust measurement-thing also confused me a bit …
This is great! Right on! 😀
Do it! It’s easy to try on and adjust as you go. I made a few modifications and I’ll post about them soon.
I really want to make this – a friend was working on one the other evening at Stitch ‘n Pitch and it was so nice! Can’t find any affordable yarn for it, so it may be a while …
A lot of people on Ravelry have used Knit Picks Cotlin, and that’s pretty affordable. It’s sometimes a gamble ordering online and seeing what a color looks like in person.
I’ve been eyeing Gemini ever since I saw Jane Richmond’s modified version. I love the fitted look and the three-quarter sleeves. Something for later this fall perhaps… Yours is going to be lovely in that grey. And really, it’s cotton, so if it stretches out you can just throw it in the dryer and it’ll shrink right back up.
True true. I also love the 3/4 version. That one could handle some wool. I don’t think I’ve ever made a 100% cotton garment, aside from a scarf that was my first project.
That is an awesome color! I also love your way of knitting straight from the napkin. I’ve always unraveled and re-wound things before knitting with the yarn again, but your way seems like it would be a lot easier.
Bust shaping always makes me nervous. I know I can knit anything, but just thinking about it gives me a headache.
I find sizing a sweater or garment the most difficult thing! Your Gemini looks very nice so far. What a sweet color!
Me too, both picking what size to make and making sure my gauge stays steady throughout. At least with a top down raglan it’s easy to try it on and adjust.
Reblogged this on olinelee.
That is a gorgeous pattern, and the colour of yarn you are knitting is lovely.