Definitely block the lace top! The lace will open up and it will get wider and maybe the armholes will fit better. You can block cotton/linen pretty aggressively as well if you want it to stretch in a certain way.
If you like the fabric in your swatch for your zipper sweater, then use the stitch count for the chest in the two sizes to calculate the ease that each creates and pick the one that suits you best.
In regards to your gauge swatch, I would be tempted to do another going up a needle size. Then check gauge on the new swatch and from there you can decide which fabric you prefer You can do some sweater math. I know Little big Knits did a podcast to explain this. Essentially you measure you’re stitches/ inch then multiply that by your desired chest circumference and ease you are wanting. That should give you the final stitch count when you split for sleeves. From there you find the size that best matches your math. Hope this helps.
Impressed that you did all that lace work! In the future, block the pieces before finishing. You can pin the neckband in the middle and a couple places before sewing them together so you can fudge it a little if the stitches don’t match up. I think you could give it a good soak and pin it to the right specifications and it will be fine, though. Just make sure to give it extra dry time or it might spring back.
thank you so much! That's such good advice, I think I should have done that before doing the Kitchener stitch! I know for next time :) It turned out really nicely after blocking! Still kind of a weird fit, but very beautiful.
Hope you washed the swatch to make sure it holds its shape. I am also planning to do the zipper sweater but the "light" version using DK weight yarn. I'm looking for only 100% wool so it does not grow and that is the yarn that is suggested in the pattern - not merino but a more sturdier type of yarn for me anyway. (pattern recommends Peer Gynt by Sandness Garn - a 100% Norwegian wool) Plus want a tweed type yarn. I'm also going to do the Champagne cardigan and then will hold two yarns together etc and use fancier yarns. Plus I think a tweed will hide any irregularities around the zipper. Like you I have not knitted that kind of zipper collar. I will get my zipper from Petiteknits since unsure the quality will get online elsewhere. But maybe the local quilt shop might have it - once I figure out the wool I'm using. Have seen a video on youtube on how to hand sew in the zipper.....BUT I do think it would be great if you did a project vlog too! I did not realize how many yarns "grow": like super wash merino, of course silk, most likely alpaca Probably not mohair. Thanks for informative video.
I bet the zipper sweater light is going to be really pretty! I just casted mine on the other day and im loving it :) I ended up going with a 5.5 mm needle for the main body with the aran weight yarn, after swatching and blocking! I wonder what the DK version will be like. I think a tweed would be lovely for you. I really love working with tweed, the irregularity is beautiful and gives the whole sweater a super classic look i think. I do think the super wash and alpaca yarns grow a lot! I find my 100% wool doesn't grow as much.
Would love to follow along doing
The zipper sweater!
Definitely block the lace top! The lace will open up and it will get wider and maybe the armholes will fit better. You can block cotton/linen pretty aggressively as well if you want it to stretch in a certain way.
2:50 is such a pretty combo.
If you like the fabric in your swatch for your zipper sweater, then use the stitch count for the chest in the two sizes to calculate the ease that each creates and pick the one that suits you best.
In regards to your gauge swatch, I would be tempted to do another going up a needle size. Then check gauge on the new swatch and from there you can decide which fabric you prefer
You can do some sweater math. I know Little big Knits did a podcast to explain this. Essentially you measure you’re stitches/ inch then multiply that by your desired chest circumference and ease you are wanting. That should give you the final stitch count when you split for sleeves. From there you find the size that best matches your math. Hope this helps.
Your cardigan looks great!
Thank you :)
Impressed that you did all that lace work! In the future, block the pieces before finishing. You can pin the neckband in the middle and a couple places before sewing them together so you can fudge it a little if the stitches don’t match up. I think you could give it a good soak and pin it to the right specifications and it will be fine, though. Just make sure to give it extra dry time or it might spring back.
thank you so much! That's such good advice, I think I should have done that before doing the Kitchener stitch! I know for next time :) It turned out really nicely after blocking! Still kind of a weird fit, but very beautiful.
Hope you washed the swatch to make sure it holds its shape. I am also planning to do the zipper sweater but the "light" version using DK weight yarn. I'm looking for only 100% wool so it does not grow and that is the yarn that is suggested in the pattern - not merino but a more sturdier type of yarn for me anyway. (pattern recommends Peer Gynt by Sandness Garn - a 100% Norwegian wool) Plus want a tweed type yarn. I'm also going to do the Champagne cardigan and then will hold two yarns together etc and use fancier yarns. Plus I think a tweed will hide any irregularities around the zipper. Like you I have not knitted that kind of zipper collar. I will get my zipper from Petiteknits since unsure the quality will get online elsewhere. But maybe the local quilt shop might have it - once I figure out the wool I'm using. Have seen a video on youtube on how to hand sew in the zipper.....BUT I do think it would be great if you did a project vlog too!
I did not realize how many yarns "grow": like super wash merino, of course silk, most likely alpaca
Probably not mohair. Thanks for informative video.
I bet the zipper sweater light is going to be really pretty! I just casted mine on the other day and im loving it :) I ended up going with a 5.5 mm needle for the main body with the aran weight yarn, after swatching and blocking! I wonder what the DK version will be like. I think a tweed would be lovely for you. I really love working with tweed, the irregularity is beautiful and gives the whole sweater a super classic look i think. I do think the super wash and alpaca yarns grow a lot! I find my 100% wool doesn't grow as much.
Love the vest you're wearing! What pattern/yarn did you use for it?
It’s the weekend pullover by petite knit! I just altered the neck to make a turtle neck :) the wool is Woolfolk Far!