Hesira's Finished Enid

Well, here she is. I have mixed feelings about this project. I learned so much through the process and gained a lot of confidence. I am interested in knitting more sweaters in the round, and trying steeking some more. However, I have a few disappointments as well.



If the whole point of steeking is to reduce the amount of seaming, the button band and buttonhole band negated that. What a pain! You can clearly see where the stockinette stitch overlaps the steeked edge on both sides of the button area. And speaking of buttons, I couldn't figure out how to place just 9 buttons. I had to use 10. The crochet edge is pretty when you put it on, but for me it's not really functional. It's difficult to tell just where the button HOLES are.



I was hoping the puckering would lay down after blocking, but it's still there. I swear I was carrying my floats loosely, but not loosely enough, apparently. Hopefully, with time, this will ease out.

As Lizz said, the only way to wear this sweater is completely buttoned (or zipped in her case) up. Sometimes I like to wear a cardi with just the top button fastened, but even that is impossible with this sweater.

I think there are places where the pattern is a little vague. Two examples: assuming the knitter knows what to do with the sleeve seams and there is no indication of exactly how many stitches the knitter should initially crochet across the button band. Strangely enough, it all works out in the end. It's comfortable to wear and fits better than expected. It looks really pretty

Would I ever make it again, or recommend it to someone? No way. Am I glad I made it? Absolutely. Things I'd do differently if I made it again:

No provisional cast on. I'd either let it roll or use some non-rolling stitch border.
More stitches in the steeking area. There was too little selvage for a beginner steeker like myself.
Different button holes.
Higher neckline.

That's it folks. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's finished or in progress sweaters. I'm especially interested in those of you who decided to change the neck shaping. Good luck, everyone!

Pre-Steeking

I'm just about ready to steek Enid. I've knit the whole thing, run a thread down the steeking column, and double reinforced either side of the column. Now I need to steam block the steeking area and get out the magnifying glasses and the sharp little scissors.

Here she is. You can see the steeking column represented by the light blue dotted line. You can also see a little of the contrasting hem on the bottom peeking out. After steeking, I attach the button band and the button hole band (yet to be knitted), sew on the buttons (yet to be bought), block that bad girl, and it's done!



I thought I'd show you a close up of the yoke with the colorwork. I'm still hoping for some flattening out of the puckering once it's blocked. I have a good feeling about it. I was a little worried about my colors, as I didn't use the Reynolds Whiskey. I thought the fuschia might be a little much, and I was worried the purling might look amateurish. I actually think the 2 things take care of each other, or rather the purling softens up the color transitions and gives some dimension to the yoke. Once again, I think the blocking will help make it look less messy.



Even though the pattern says to go ahead and cut the front, I'm waiting to steek until the button bands are ready to be put in place. It makes me nervous thinking about those cut edges sitting around waiting for me to finish the bands. Maybe by the end of this week, I'll have MY version of Enid to show.

HAPPY MARDI GRAS, YA'LL!

Hello from Newcastle! (north east of England)

Hi everyone

I've just started swatching for Enid. I think I'm going to be in for a long haul with this one and I can't deny, the idea of steeks is making me more than a little nervous! But I enjoy a challenge.

I'm a big busted gal with a narrow waist so I'm particularly interested in hearing about how others have chosen to modify the pattern...and I'm already considering converting Enid into a jumper rather than a cardi.

The yarn used in the pattern isn't available in the UK so I'm planning on using some of my tweed stash. Possibly in the colours pictured below with the grey/brown shade as the main colour, I'd be interested to hear what you think of this combo:

Looking forward to getting to know you all. Helen

How to float thread on purl stitches

Can anyone tell me how to float the thread when you purl on the front? I'm at the point on the colorwork where I need to purl a row. I tried it on a swatch, and the MC shows through when I float. Also, I can't figure out how to attach the new thread to purl without it showing on the right side. Am I dense, or is anyone else having this problem?

Trying It On For Size

Hi Everyone.

I thought I'd share some Enid experience with you. I've gotten the sleeves joined to the body and have tried it on. Here's my pic


For those of you who haven't knit a sweater in the round yet, let me tell you, the first few rounds after joining the sleeves are awkward to knit when you get to the sleeve part. That eases up eventually. Also, be careful when joining the sleeve and don't put it on upside down, like I did the first time I tried. Of course, no one else is as dipsy as me, I bet. Another thing, and I know this is terribly obvious, but I thought I'd bring it up. There is no mention of sewing the underam seam in the pattern, or if there is, I can't find it. I've read it several times. Am I missing something? I know most people would just assume if you have the same number of bound off stitches on the sleeve as on the body, that you should make a seam there, but normally a pattern tells you to do so and when. I'm planning to sew mine after the whole thing is knit, but before I steek.

Also, this sweater appears to short for my curves. I may have to lengthen the bottom when I go to make the hem. We'll see after it is all yoked up. OK, I showed you mine, now you show me yours!