Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Funnel Neck


Firstly, thank you all for your kind comments on Forecast - and my tights! I've been wearing wacky tights ever since I had my own money to spend on them (around twenty-three years-ugh). The very best red tights I have ever worn are the ones by Charnos. You can't get softer, stretchier, smoother, anywhere else. And the waistband isn't too narrow or tight. Charnos. Brilliant.

The next project is under way:
Funnel Neck , another top-down knit. I did the neck bit and then started on the increases for the yoke, but after about seven rows of the yoke I realised that the increases looked awful, really messy. I knew the method I was using would leave little holes (picking up the bar between stitches, with the left needle, front to back, and then knitting) but I thought they'd make a nice, ordered pattern, like on Forecast, and the Glamour Cape. But no. I think it had something to do with fitting in the increases with the K1P1 ribbing. Anyway, I ripped back and started the yoke again, this time picking up the bar between stitches with the left needle, from front to back, and then knitting into the back of that stitch. The difference is unbelievable. No holes at all! The only way you know something's been happening in the increase areas, is the fact that the ribbing diverges and seems to make rivulets. Great. The method is the M1F on this site.

Now the only thing remaining is to make it fit - for me, not an easy task. Already I'm using smaller needles and knitting the next size up, without so much as a nod to the correct tension. Luckily the yarn (Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed, picked up for a song, from Jannette) is wonderful to easily rip back and then pick up all the stitches again. The yarn seems as though it's already felted - is that possible? It's the least splitty yarn I've ever known. I love it.

14 comments:

  1. Funnel Neck is a great looking sweater! I love the color of your yarn. I have it on my list to do with some Rowan Felted Tweed I have, in color ginger.
    I have also agonised a bit over what size to make. thanks for the link to the increases. it will come very handy when I get to it (soon)
    :-)

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  2. I liked the look of that sweater when I first saw it, but decided it wouldn't suit me. It will look really good on you -- I look forward to seeing the pictures!

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  3. Good choice for your next sweater! I was very impressed with Magnits this month. I'm doing the wrist warmers and really enjoying the pattern...which is good since I've ripped it three times now.....

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  4. Lovely yarn - Ilike the specks. I bet you'll be finished soon if you knit this as fast as Forecast!

    Thanks for the increase link. I find lifted increase work really well too - here is another link

    http://www.domiknitrix.com/howtos/pairedraised.cfm

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  5. I had not seen Funnel Neck before but I really like it! The shaping looks great. I must admit I'm not following your directions on the increases, but if I get stuck sometime, I'll know who to ask! I hope you are enjoying this new knit.

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  6. Yes, yes, late to the party, but Forecast is fabulous!

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  7. Love the colour and the pattern also . Also think you did a fab job on Forecast; sorry a bit behind on blogging . You are doing so much can't keep up LOL and Bloggrolling isn't working any more for some reason .

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  8. I loved this pattern when I first saw it....alas....my unfortunate body shape does not lend itself to this fitted a garment. I like the idea of short sleeves and a high neck.

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  9. That is such a nice pattern and I really like that colour. I haven't used that DB yarn but have just been looking at a kid's pattern that uses it, good to hear your thoughts on it.

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  10. I love the colour you chose for this Alice. This is yet another pattern in my 'to do' pile! Great tips re the increases and good link. Good luck with the resizing!

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  11. I like the DB Aran Tweed too, it's perfect to use felted joins on - which means very few ends to weave in :-)

    I still have trouble with M1 increases leaving holes even when I use this type of method, must pay a visit to Knitting help again and try out all of the variations! In SK I've seen them demonstrate it by effectively drawing a loop of the working yarn under the bar, to the front, then knitting that, which might be better. Argh :-)

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  12. Very pretty yarn! That sweater (jumper) will look great on your new figure. :)

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  13. Love that yarn. The jumper looks great too, and very you. I hate doing K1P1 though so wouldn't touch the pattern with a bargepole...

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  14. Great colour choice and I hope you get over the reknitting of neck soon. I love the look of this pattern but with my tits funnelnecks are sadly a no-no. (See the picture of me in a polo neck on my diet blog for confirmation of the 'boobs in my stomach' effect of high neck jumpers, sigh....)

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