I had been thinking for some time about the February Lady Sweater that I finished knitting at this time last year. Not only was it my first knitted garment, but it was one of the first things I had ever knit. I took a class on it, found some really lovely buttons, learned to increase and decrease, learned about life lines and counting (and counting and counting). Overall, I had invested a lot of time and energy into this sweater.
And do you want to know how many times I've worn this sweater? Once. There's always been something about it that I just don't love. The color is not exactly the brown I had hoped it would be and the sleeves are a bit too poofy for my liking. I think I prefer cardigans that close down the front, not just the top (or at least have the option to close down the front). I don't love the neckline and how the garter stitch leaves it looking somewhat unfinished. Looking at this photo, I don't think it looks terrible but again, I just don't love it. We all know how it is when you don't love something in your wardrobe. It sits in the back of the closet unworn. It's not bad enough to give to Goodwill but not enough to your liking to actually put on. Last week I tried this cardigan on again and made a decision.
So now what? Do I attempt another sweater with the yarn? I can't really put my finger on if it was the yarn or the pattern (although I'm leaning more toward pattern) that I didn't really like. I did receive a copy of New England Knits for Christmas and I saw this project done in this yarn (Berroco Vintage) on Ravelry. Or should I just make some house socks?
I vote for you turn them into some cozy thick house socks. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you like the colour enough then I say go for it!
ReplyDeletewow! but it is for the best if you just didn't like it. I've had this pattern on my to do list for a while but now I hesitate. I'm not crazy about poofy sleeves either.
ReplyDeleteI vote for comfy house socks.
good for you! a very brave move.
ReplyDeletei like that other sweater you linked too, but i guess it just depends on if you decide you like the yarn well enough to make another sweater.
I wound up frogging my FLS, too, for the exact same reasons. My arms are puffy enough without puffy-type sleeves. Doesn't help that I also (severely) messed up the lace pattern. For a little kid, cute - for a grown adult, only if you have exactly the right body type for the fit (which I do not).
ReplyDeleteI understand the need to frog something you don't love. I also have the Middlefield Pullover in my queue. It's so cute, and I think would be really nice in your new (old) brown yarn.
ReplyDeleteI frogged my FLS before it was even finished. I just wasn't in love with the pattern.
ReplyDeleteI'd say try another sweater, worst comes to worst, you can make yourself some socks.
wow. you are my new hero - frogging a whole sweater, your first sweater. i can't even think of what i might've done ... ignored it, probably. i have a few FOs i might reconsider, following in your footsteps!
ReplyDeleteI just frogged my first sweater too! It was a pullover--I just don't wear them. Good luck finding a new pattern; I hope you create a sweater that will get worn to pieces. :)
ReplyDeleteI would agree with you. Not a huge fan of the pattern and I've seen so many posts where people didn't like how it fit. I would say, give the yarn another chance and dive in! I'm not such a fan of that sweater in New England Knit though, check out Ravelry and see how people's projects of it went.
ReplyDeleteI also have that sweater in my queue, somewhat reluctant to start it. Now I know why! the sleeves!
ReplyDeleteBut I do like the Middlefield one. I would knit that!
Take a ball of yarn and go through your wardrobe with it. If you have things in colors that would go with it or similar colors, than knit a sweater out of it. If nothing looks quite right with the color, than go for house socks or try over dying the yarn so it is a better brown. Don't spend the time knitting a sweater out of yarn that you aren't sure about.
ReplyDeleteI was amazed to see this post because I have exactly the same problem! I made a sleeveless Feb Lady sweater but I STILL find those cap sleeves poofy and weird. I am also debating whether to frog it and make something else.
ReplyDeleteYour sweater looks beautiful BTW
Good for you. Too much time is spent in the knitting to make something you don't adore and won't wear.
ReplyDeleteyay you! it took me 3 tries on FLS to get one I love. I really like my second one, but the 3rd one, knit pretty small, is my favorite. if you do want to turn the yarn into a sweater (love the suggestion about seeing how the balls look with other things in your closet!) how about thea colman's cassis? or wendy bernard's favorite cardigan? (these are both on my short list ot knit next!)
ReplyDeleteIt always makes me feel faint when I see sweaters turn back into the balls they once were! :)
ReplyDeleteI vote for a light cardigan.
For what it's worth, I think it looks TERRIFIC on you!
ReplyDeletei actually liked it, but hey, your call. i literally did a little gasp as i scrolled down the screen of my laptop, saw the wound up balls of brown yarn and realized you frogged it!! brave choice, i am sure you will make something amazing out of it.
ReplyDeleteYour photo was one of the few FLS that I actually liked! But if you didn't love it then you definitely made the right choice. I do LOVE Middlefield so my vote would be for that.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Middlefield and you are petite enough to get a nice sweater from the four balls of yarn that you have, but I think it depends on whether or not you will wear this brown as a sweater. If not, you could save it to make some accessories or a cute baby sweater for a little boy (perhaps with another color) at some point in the future.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm super impressed by your self-honesty. I have a sweater that I just know I won't wear so I haven't seamed it. But I haven't been able to bring myself to the point of ripping. Perhaps you've inspired me... maybe.;~)
ReplyDeleteYou know, my February Lady Sweater is also sitting around unworn! I like the yarn I used and absolutely love the buttons. But the sleeves are way too big and I think I should have used a smaller needle for the garter stitch section. Maybe your post will inspire me to frog mine!
ReplyDeleteHoly Frogging BATMAN! I dont' know if I could do an entire sweater! Seems like a good choice though, being it wasn't getting any love. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI knit the FLS, and I felt the same way about it. It was ok, and pretty ok to knit, but it just didn't do anything for me. I really admire that you frogged it- I have yet to rip out an entire sweater. I finished it a while ago (years?) and I still can't bear to see it torn to pieces.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog!