I lament.

Why can’t I knit a sweater and be absolutely in love with it? I see it all the time on Craftster. Someone knits some gorgeous pattern and the fit, color, everything is perfect. Why can’t I knit like that? Where do I go wrong?

Well, for one I’m not good at picking patterns that fit my body type. My mind seems to think I’m 5’10”, 110 lbs, with perfectly proportional bust/waist/hip measurements. And I also live a magical world filled with fairies and leprechauns. Sadly, this is not true. I acknowledge this, but I somehow can’t get this acknowledgement to cross over to my knitting.

Secondly, I’m still a newbie when it comes to fit. My garment making experience has it’s origins in sewing where you almost always need extra ease. Knitting is the opposite and I’ve been learning this the hard way.

The “Cropped Cardigan with Leaf Ties” I’ve been knitting is almost finished. In my excitement I tried it on and examined myself in the mirror a couple inches shy of finishing the second sleeve. Much to my dismay, I wasn’t immediately thrilled. Why? It’s too friggin’ big! It’s 44” around the bust, a full 6” larger than my bust measurement. I’m not sure how this happened and I’m willing to admit it is my fault (ahem, gauge swatching). It being a cardigan, I didn’t want negative ease, but this is ridiculous.

But I refuse to FROG. I’m done frogging, people. Either I start planning and gauging better, or I make do with what I have. So this time, I must make do.

I pinned the body and sleeves in about 1.5” and then I tried it on. Much better. It’s decided. I will take this sack-o-sweater and alter it via sewing machine. I’m not sure how this will work, but I’m willing to risk it in the face of option B (frogging). Anyone have any experience sewing hand-knit items?

If I still don’t like it, I’ll give it to my MIL.