I’m enraptured with Gemini. I don’t think it makes me a boring person to admit that some of the projects I adore most are the ones with row after row of stockinette. I am hooked on the rhythm of this project. I love sitting still, catching up on some True Blood episodes or devouring a book on my iPad while my fingers, hands, and wrists create a symphony of tiny movements I find extremely soothing and satisfying. I know I’m preaching to the choir. If you’re reading a blog that’s 97% about knitting, I’m pretty sure there’s something you like about it too.
I’ve made a few modifications to the pattern. I love searching through Ravelry projects with “helpful notes.” In case you’re not familiar, this is in the drop down menu on the far left when you’re looking at the projects tab. The helpful projects have the lifesaver red and white ring like the example on the left. I also enjoy using the search bar on the right to limit to just the size I’m making to check for issues or modifications.
I decided I would make a couple of modifications after studying some notes.
Many Ravelers changed the sleeve size. At 66 stitches I compared the sleeves to my Goodale, which has a good sleeve fit for me, and is also a top-down Raglan. I liked the look of things, so I stopped increasing on the sleeves at that point and continued with increases on only the front and back.
Some people reported that the raglan increases seemed too rapid and created a puckered effect they didn’t like. In this sweater, after the lace portion at the top, the raglan increases are done every row, rather than every other row. I’d never done increases every row on a raglan, so I kept doing them every other row until I got to 74 on the front and back sections. Then I decided to make them every row until I got to 84 on the front and back, as specified for the 30.5 inch size.
According to this book, my raglan depth is 5 3/4 inches. The book recommends making your raglan 1/2″-2″ bigger than that measurement according to how you would like the garment to fit. I think my raglan depth is about 6 1/4″. I stuck to the shorter end because I like the way it looks and the cotton will likely stretch.
I measured from my armpit to the start of the curve of my waist. That’s about 7 inches, so I’ll probably start a little bit of waist shaping at about 6 3/4″, maybe 2 rows for a total of 8 sts decreased (about 1 1/2″), then I can increase again around 9 3/4″ when my waist curves back out. The original pattern has no waist shaping.
I’m considering crocheting one row around the collar if it seems like the collar will stretch out with wear. I’m a little bit allergic to crocheting, so I think I’ll wait and see.
This pullover kick I’m on is pretty fun. I am curious to try Blank Canvas by Ysolda Teague. It seems like a well thought out design that I can learn some shaping tricks from. Many that have made it compliment the raglan shoulder shaping. It also looks like the kind of simple pullover that could fit into several seasons of a wardrobe.
On to more soothing rhythmic knitting.
It looks absolutely beautiful. I’ve looked up some of the other projects and the notes, and although I’m a bit shy of measuring and calculating, I’ll cast on for this in winter, when my thesis is done and I “just” have to do my job and work on my dissertation. I am really looking forward to it!
And I wish you lots of fun going on – and hope that everything will work out just the way you want it to be. 😀
Thanks! You’re going straight from a thesis to a dissertation?! EEEK! Good luck!
This looks GREAT!
This looks so good! So far, your neckline seems to be holding its shape, so you might be okay without the crochet (or, you could try a small i-cord).
Small i-cord would be a nice finish…that’s something to consider for sure.
Beautiful.
It’s looking good! I felt when knitting mine there was just something off about the raglan increases…I felt like I was fighting intuition. It was weird. But a crochet chain around the neckline makes a huge difference, I linked the tutorial on my Gemini post – I think it was from the Yarn Harlot blog.
The yarn you selected looks like a perfect fit for Gemini! I wasn’t too sold on the sweater, but then I saw the version with sleeves and it’s been on my mind ever since. Hopefully I’ll get to it before the end of the year.
And I know what you mean about endless rows of stockinette. I just started a new pullover for my bf last night and I’m already 6 inches in/20% through the Orange is the New Black book. You feel like you’ve accomplished so much 🙂
Ooh that’s pretty! I have one more sock to go before I can contemplate starting another ‘in progress’ project. I’ve not tried top down before…
Looking good! I do that on Ravelry too … there are so many ways that the database can be cross referenced, it’s such a marvellous tool.
I’ve often thought about picking up Knitwear Design Workshop at the public library (my library has an incredible selection of knitting books), but I’m not interested in design exactly, just want to learn more about construction. Would it be a good book for that? I’d love to know what other knitting reference books you would recommend.
Your Gemini looks great! I love the lace details on the shoulder especially.
I think it would be great for construction. The author (Shirley Paden) also has a Craftsy (Craftsy.com) class if you’re more visual, but it’s definitely design focused. Craftsy has some amazing knitting classes, some specifically focuses on adjusting sweater patterns too.
A book called The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt is a fantastic reference for knitting as a whole. I also like Knitter’s Handbook by Montse Stanley. Maggie Righetti has a couple of great books: Sweater Design in Plain English and Knitting in Plain English. Those are probably my most used knitting reference books, aside from the Barbra Walker books on different knitting patterns.
Thank you! This is such a comprehensive list. Can’t wait to check them out!
I’m a fan of lots of stockinette in my tops too. It is very meditative, plus it just looks better on me.
Your Gemini looks beautiful so far and I also think Blank Canvas seems like a nice looking sweater!