Monday, July 30, 2007

Fifi...Getting Closer


I am almost done with Fifi. I have about 4 inches left. I am at 10.5 below the arm opening right now. I want it to hit at least the top of my jeans. I love it. However, there are a couple of things I would change if I was going to go back. First I knitted it up on size 7 needles even though my gauge was way off (25st and 36 rounds -before blocking). I wish I would have went up to at least size 8. I had to add a bunch of rows to the top bodice section to make it long enough b/c of my gauge and now top bodice part looks very long even though it hits me correctly on the bust. I am not sure how flattering I think that is. Second thing (and the most important) I shouldn't have skipped the short row shaping. I tried it several times but it didn't seem to look right so I ripped it out and decided to skip it. Big mistake!!! The front is way shorter than the back and on a sweater this fitted you can really tell. Third and last thing I would do differently, I would not but the lower body pattern in the back. I would have just done the K2, P2 rib across. I think the back cable and chevrons look a little like a back bone on me. Plus b/c I didn't do the short rows it makes the pulling through the front more obvious. All those changes are minor and does not change how much I love my Fifi. I even love the color now. I am going to try and finish it tonight and get it blocked. I will post a final picture when I am done. Oh one more thing, I am going to have to break into my 5th ball of calmer (just barley) had I gone up a needle size it would have taken only 4.

4 comments:

Susan said...

I think it looks great so far. I think that a lot of people had trouble with the short rows on this one, so you're not alone. Since I'm a DD - I'm going to have to try it on this one. We'll see!

Knitters-Delight

Lara said...

I think it looks great so far. I tried the short rows also (and I have done them several times with success) however they didn't look right and I had to rip them out. They created huge holes and I think it is because of the stretchiness of the yarn and the gauge the top is knit at. My advice would be to not use short rows. They don't work with the top!

boogaloo said...

I haven't gotten to the short rows part yet (I'm on row 49, so I'll be there pretty soon). But from reading the instructions for the short row shaping, it looks to me like the extra rows are added at the sides, and not in the middle of the front, which is the opposite of what I would expect. Has anyone successfully done the short row bust shaping on this pattern and can offer some advice/clarifications?

Zenknitter LesleyD said...

Looks great!!! Awesome job!!