Another UFO destined to be finished this week is the multicolored topdown striped raglan. I finished it -- except for the neckband -- months ago in September, but we had such a mild autumn that lasted well into November, I felt no push to do that last bit of knitting. Then there was a bit of sorta-kinda Christmas knitting, and wowzers, here it is January and cold and I could really, really use a wool sweater.
One tiny problem is that I made the neckline a bit too high, and adding a neckband in the usual way would make the sweater uncomfortably warm and probably scratchy on my delicate neck. I am such a fragile little snowflake, ya know.
My body decided a number of years ago that the way it would regulate its temperature was by the circulation in my neck. If I am cold outside, I don't worry about mittens or a hat or any of the normal things; wrap a scarf around my neck and I am fine. I gave up wearing turtlenecks at least ten years ago because there is no way to regulate my neck thermostat if it is completely encased in clothing. Mock turtles are okay, though, cuz they are not as tight-fitting.
So picking up stitches at the edge of the neck and knitting a neckband that would match the cuffs and hem -- about 1" wide, with a turning row of purl stitches and inner lining of navy blue merino -- was right out. Much thought went into possible solutions. What I finally decided on was to pick up the stitches, not at the edge of the neck, but 1/2" (or more) in from the edge. That should keep the neckband down where it won't annoy me. The gray-blue yarn is a bit scratchy and I worry about that turning row, but the merino lining of the neckband should be fine. In my quest for the right colors for the stripes I managed to acquire several skeins of the merino DK in navy, and that is what I have used to line the hem and cuffs.
* * * * *
Smokey gave me a new camera for Christmas, a point-and-shoot Nikon that is easily pocketable, and that is what took the first photo, above. I gave Andrew my old iPod Touch for Christmas (it was what he wanted) and bought a new, 4th generation for myself. That is what took the second photo (the 4th gen iPod Touches have both a front and back camera, plus video -- awesome). The difference in quality is obvious, but this was a difficult photoshoot -- minimal natural light, no flash, taken in a mirror. I cropped them both and adjusted the color and exposure to improve both as much as possible. In better conditions that iPod will be handy. I always have it in my pocket, but I don't always have my camera.
Edited to add: My iPod Touch DIED on me yesterday! I was using it, put it into Sleep mode for a few minutes, then it refused to come back on. Rats, curses, #$%^#$!!! But Erika to the rescue. She sent me a link to a page that tells how to do soft and hard resets on the Touch (which I would have found on my own once I got over the denial, anger, and depression). Success!
::bowing in Erika's direction::
Thanks!
I really like the stripes in this sweater -- great color! And it sounds like you've worked out a great solution to the neckline problem. (I'm liking the camera on my iPhone for much the same reason -- it's always at hand!)
Posted by: Kym | 12 January 2011 at 05:33 AM
Great sweater. The stripes are really fun.
Posted by: Amanda | 12 January 2011 at 12:17 PM
Impressive. Sweater and pix. I have a first gen. I pod touch, but I keep holding out thinking eventually I get an iphone...
Posted by: mary lou | 12 January 2011 at 02:11 PM
Wonderful fix for that sweater!
Are you all toasty warm now? :D
Posted by: Cookie | 12 January 2011 at 02:37 PM
I love those square stripes, that's a really neat effect!
Hmm, I wonder if I could find someone who wants a 1st gen iPod Nano, so that I can justify buying myself a new Touch?
Posted by: Erika | 12 January 2011 at 05:55 PM
Yeah, the change in the weather is an incentive. *G*
Sweater's looking good!
Posted by: Cindy G | 12 January 2011 at 05:58 PM
Love the colors!
Great job - picking it up, figuring it out, and then finishing ;)
Posted by: Bullwinkle | 12 January 2011 at 06:46 PM
Yay for resuscitating iPods! And picking up necklines to the most advantageous point.
Posted by: Carrie K | 12 January 2011 at 07:10 PM
Love that sweater and I think it was totally worth it to go back and fix the neckline. I'm really wishing now that I'd waited a bit on the iPod. I could have had one with waaay more cool stuff than the one I have now. But, since I use mine all the time, I suppose I'm managing just fine with my limited technology...
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | 12 January 2011 at 08:33 PM
I'm so Ludd... No iAnything.
Posted by: gayle | 13 January 2011 at 12:51 PM
I love the stripy sweater - just cast on one for myself. It's good to fix sweaters rather than abandon them to the No Wear pile.
You have done well with the mirror shot; I end up taking a photo of the wall!
Posted by: Elizabeth | 15 January 2011 at 03:19 PM