Sunday, July 01, 2007

Fifi Completed!

Bonjour mes amis--Fifi est fini! I'm very pleased with how this sweater turned out and am likely to knit another one (in a different yarn with 3/4 length sleeves). This one took 3 and 1/2 balls of Calmer (in Refresh) which surprised me since my gauge was tighter than recommended in the pattern (25 st/4 in in the p1k4 rib rather than 20 st/4 in). I rec that anyone on the fence about buying another ball just in case consider refraining--Calmer is stretchy stuff.
Specs: 3 and 1/2 balls Calmer with a size 6 needle yielded a 30" bust (unstretched with no short rows) and length that was 12" from the underarm.
Modifications: I like a wider neckline than usual to accommodate my broad shoulders (nope--those are *not* shoulder pads under the sweater! I just come from a long line of folks shaped like linebackers, lol!). To achieve this, I cast on the 140 stitches (this wouldn't make the neck *too* big for me since my gauge was tighter) as for the medium size, but stopped after round 43 to try on (as for the XS) and decided to separate the sleeves at that point.
I have a long torso, too, so I just kept on knitting until the lower bodice was just the right length. Ya gotta love the top-down method for that! And practically no finishing at all!

I did find the pattern difficult to follow at times--a chart would've been much easier for me, but overall, I really like the sweater and am sure that I'll wear it a lot!

14 comments:

Romi said...

That looks fabulous on you!

french girl said...

mary....that is really stunning!!
i love the elongated lower bodice (which i had intended in my original model....long story!)...such a great color on you too...please email me with your ideas on how the pattern could be made more understandable...i would love to do a chart sometime for this...you are right...i think it would really clarify the different sizes--but then it would be double the size(8 pages)!!...maybe i could have a chart available online...thanks for the good idea and be sure to get in touch and again absolutely lovely...xo, kristeen

Aurelie said...

That is gorgeous! I was on the fence with this KAL because I don't have the money to spend on the yarn and I'm iffy about subbing. Now I want to go ahead. Especially if you think I could make a go at it in 5 balls instead of 6. I was going to get 6 just because I wanted the body to be a bit longer. ITs beautiful. Great job I can't believe you are finished already! Are you doing the double KAL?

Aurelie said...

My mom just said she's buy me yarn for my birthday this week. Fifi here I come.

Susan said...

That looks fabulous! How long did it take you from start to finish?

Knitters-Delight

Kozy Kitty said...

Your Fifi looks gorgeous! I'm knitting mine in Refresh also and have found my gauge to be off as well. I like your wider neckline. The neckline on mine is closer than I would like, but I think blocking will take care of that. I needed a size between the XS and S but since my gauge is smaller, I joined the body at row 51 as for the small and it seems to fit great!

Anna said...

I can`t believe you are already done. Fifi looks fabulous on you. Great job with all the modifications.
I can`t wait to start my Fifi....must finish all the WIPs first. Must finish....

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Mary! I'm excited about starting; meant to today but life got in the way. I've got the yarn up here on the bed with me and as soon as I get offline I'm casting on. You're an inspiration to me. Seeing it done makes me feel even more like I can do this.

Anonymous said...

Wow!! I can't believe you're done already, and I love how yours turned out. Just gorgeous!!

Suzanne (5-15) said...

Mary,

Your Fifi looks wonderful, I'm jealous I don't even have my yarn yet... Although, I've tracked it and it's sitting in the PO Box. Unfortunately, I won't be back until around the 10th :(....

Your an inspiration to us all
Suzanne

bobi1218 said...

Wow, that looks great!! You're done already, and I don't even have my yarn yet (I'm hoping it comes today...) Terrific job :)

mary_me_a_little said...

Thanks for all of your lovely comments! I plan to wear Fifi on the Fourth of July (and Bastille Day?)
It took me a week to knit up, but I worked on it every day and have the summer off. I really enjoyed cabling without the cable needle, too--it was faster once I got the hang of it, and I didn't have to worry about misplacing the needle.
Can't wait to see everyone else's KALs, too! I've a UFO to complete and am then onto the Red Carpet Convertible.

Cyn said...

It looks lovely! Now I really want to get started on mine, heh.

Anonymous said...

Wow... there's no chart for this, and all those cables? I need the chart. I was trying to knit a top once that had a 3,5 rib and I could keep it staright in my head, but I can follow a chart. Oh, well...

-Trilby