Changing Course

Here is my finished Eri Shimizu's Hakuji in Sweet Georgia Yarns SeaSilk Lace (pattern link at the yarn page)! We ring the goat bell even for our own projects! This one deserves a shout-out because it is a project that I made changes to while I was working. I want to give all of you permission to do that too!

 

I had knit Hakuji previously in Manos del Uruguay's Fino and I love it! It was a little heavier yarn than the pattern called for so I thought I would try it again in the yarn weight Eri called for. So after I did my gauge swatch, and determined my needle size, I launched off, confident that it would be the size I wanted.

 

This pullover has some interesting construction, you cast on the front first and work until it's long enough to join under the arms (and then you work the back just like it). I was about an inch into the front panel and stretched it out to see how it was coming along. It was going to be too wide! Do you ever think, "Gosh, I've just done a whole inch, I'm not going back!"? I actually would have ripped back if I didn't find a work around - it would have used way more yarn and not fit the way I wanted. On inspection of the pattern, I saw that the next size down was 14 stitches less, so it eliminated 7 stitches on each end, the same difference as the chart for the smaller size. Voila! I just pulled those 7 stitches off the needle on each end.

I do have these long stragglers now that I need to weave it, I could even leave them, but since the sweater is reversible I'll work those into the seam.

 

I mention all this to say, try on your sweaters as you go, use our goat tubing if you need the circumference. Working on a sweater is too much of a commitment to not make it the way you want it and you can usually make some adaptations along the way!

 

By the way, I have avoided lace weight for most of my knitting life and even didn't order it for the shop. Who would want to use something so thin? Boy, was I wrong! And I apologize. I love the weight of this sweater and wear it as much as I can. I actually search for lace weight patterns now! And are adding to our lace selection. KnitWise Fibers Squish Silk Lace is also amazing!