I knit many years ago and have started to knit again. So far I have made 2 projects both of which I have ripped out because I would not wear them! I have just completed a vest and even though measuring correctly, following instructions the vest looks too cropped. I will consider making again but does that happen to many of you? Have you spent weeks on a project only to rip it all out?
Morrislaz
I think it happens to all of us. Did you do a gauge swatch before starting, and did you wash and block it, to see how the fabric will change? Was your row gauge off?? It’s really common to be able to match the # of stitches in 4"/10cm, but not the number of rows. I almost always have to add a few rows here and there to get the length I need, especially for sleeves. Sometimes this can be caused by having a yarn that’s slightly thinner than called for, even if it’s in the same weight class. But if you know your row gauge, you can adjust.
I’ve learned to check for fit multiple times before finishing. I’m currently doing a bottom-up cardi knit in pieces. I’ve got 3" of the waistband, and have held it up across my waist and even my bust, I don’t know how many times already. If you’re working in the round, it can be harder, because you might have to put your stitches on a piece of waste yarn to be able to reach the full size, but it’s worth doing from time to time. You can also compare your knitting to a piece in your wardrobe to get a good idea of the general fit.
Welcome back to knitting!
I always add length to the body and sleeves of a sweater or top. Always.
Depending when your pattern was written, the fashion changes, i may be wrong but I feel a lot of recent patterns are cropped, they also seem to have wide sleeves/cuffs and some of the really popular designs don’t seem to have a great fit in the yoke. Vintage patterns could be from an age when women were on the whole smaller than most modern women, that can cause a problem, or vintage could be 1980s when the shoulder width (or the whole sweater) was huge.
Good patterns will have a clear list of various measurements of the finished item, or a schematic showing finished measurements. If you want something to fit then checking these is vital. It’s important to note in patterns the size given is frequently the finished measurement of the sweater, not of the body wearing it, some give both.
One way to choose a size is to measure a top you already have and like the fit of, then choose the size in the pattern which is the closest to this. It’s a handy way to start, not fool-proof though as some knit fabrics are stiffer and some more drapey, some stretch, some don’t, which effects how much ease or what size to make.
Another option with something you already made might be to do sweater surgery, cutting the hem off to add length, not always posible but it’s not too hard with a plain stockinette fabric, harder with more intricate designs.
Another option is to had a faux under blouse or sweater, a layering effect by sewing on a nice fabric or lace trim or by knitting from behind the hem to look like another sweater beneath. I saw a great design yesterday with a crop top in cables layered over a tunic length plain stockinette sweater in the same yarn, this type of thing could be made as 2 seperate items (extra warnth) or a single item.
With swatches I measure the prewashed and post washed gauge so I can see how the fabric changes in size and drape. I also do large swatches as they can be more accurate.
We might be able to help if you want to remake the vest pattern but longer. What pattern is it?
I agree! Seems like all the sweaters are cropped. I like the pattern and am going to just make it a little longer as the size around chest and arms are perfect!
Enjoy making it. At least now you have more idea what length you’d like and where to make modifications of a pattern when needed. The good thing about knitting is having that control, shop bought tops just come in the length they come.
There is help here if you need any. If not, we’d love to see a pic of your finished vest if you like sharing.
This is pretty much my first project to wear. I have cabled blankets before. I remade this vest and even though adding length I would still like longer.
Can I add stitches to the bottom ribbing and just add another 3 inches of ribbing in the round? I don’t mind more ribbing.
Lovely knitting with very nice, soft cables. Yes you can certainly add more length to the ribbing.
It looks like the pattern may have been worked bottom-up? In that case it won’t be as straightforward as just taking out the cast on and picking up sts. You can do that but it will be a bit tedious to pick out the cast on.
You could consider snipping a strand at the body/ribbing join and reknitting down either in stockinette then ribbing or in ribbing all the way.
This is adventurous and is best practiced on a swatch first.
If the vest is worked top-down then it’s just a matter of zipping out the bind off and reknitting down.
Let us know your plan for this very pretty vest.
This is beautiful!
I see you have an option of sweater surgery, i found that really tricky when i was less experience, im ot sure id aahe it to be neat around the cable, the stitches knit down also won’t align with the cable stitches as knitting in the opposite direcion puts everything out half a stitch. I like how salmonmac calls it adventerous… I’d call it a nightmare if it was me doing it.
Another option to lengthen is to pick up on the inside of the sweater, at the transition row between rib and stockinette and work a new rib behind the original, and keep going to the length you want. This gives a layered effect and looks lovely in either the same colour or a different colour. I used this method once when my hem was flipping and i got it under control with a second hem and it turned out so nice it’s my fav top. I’ve seen this method of faux layering in some patterns too, it looks so good.
Another option for a longer, layered look, is to make a seperate piece, same stitch count, cast on and work up as before, either all rib or rib then stockinette, then bind off and sew down inside/behind the original hem (at the transition row).
I’ve also seen a great look with a shorter cabled top half and a plain under sweater in the same yarn. The under sweater being a touch more fitted, plain stockinette, longer body, long sleeves. It looked stunning. You could do this if you were able to source more yarn for a full sweater… only works if you live in a cold climate though!
This is such a lovely piece it’s well worth the extra attention to make it wearable in a way you’re happy with.
Thanks for the tech knitting post. I’m going to read a few times before I actually try but you have given me a few good ideas
Morrislaz
Good luck with the extension. It’s certainly do-able, one way or another.
