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January 21, 2007
Nupps without tears, seams without fear
A productive week. First I finished off the Swallowtail Shawl for Mother's Xmas present. Thanks ever-so to reader Ruth, I was able to complete the last eight or so rows, and blocked on Wednesday. The blocking worked its usual miracle and, I must say, I think the finished object is stunning. I take no credit for it – the effect is down to Handmaiden's Seasilk yarn (colour 'Sangria'), and Evelyn Clark's beautiful design.
The 'jewel' at the point of the shawl is my biggest error: a rather sweet beaded stitchmarker, a memento of my absent-mindedness, knitted in to the shawl. My hands just did not want to take the wire cutters to it - so it can remain, until Mother finds it annoying and snips it out herself.
Earlier on in the progress of the shawl, when working the Lily-of-the-Valley chart, I was given cause to again acknowledge that I am not one to struggle to execute 'P5togs' and the like. Life is too short to walk, eyes open, into such a vale of tears. My method for working the nupps was as follows: K into front, back, front, back of stitch. Return all 4 sts to L needle. K 2 tog twice. Lift the first of these sts over the second and off R needle. Nupp complete. The attentive among you may note that this creates a four- rather than five-stitch nupp, but this is easy to work and not, I believe, to the detriment of the appearance.
Yesterday I girded my loins to tackle Dad's cardigan. Armed with your words of caution, wisdom gleaned from past experience, and expressions of concern, I swatched, readying to experiment with feed dogs, tension, and scissors. While knitting, a comment niggled the back of my mind. I looked long and hard at the offending seams. Jaws had said, "If it doesn't create too much bulk… you could also split the old seam open after you've put the new one in, and spread the excess away from the new seam, and do some sort of internal reinforcement."
The original seams were carefully opened, and re-mattress-stitched to the correct measurements. At that point I could have zig-zag stitched on the machine and cut away the excess - but it seemed quicker, easier, even neater to steam and press the new seam open, and catch the excess down against the inside of the body pieces with a few discrete stitches. Maybe it was the coward's route, but my first adventure in sewing and cutting fabric knit by my own fair hand awaits another day.
I am pleased with the result, and delighted to be rid at last of this albatross. I'm also very much looking forward to seeing dear Dad cuddled up inside it, in time for the cold snap predicted for this week. If I'm very kind, and his mood is very good, he may even deign to model it for a Fashionable Life photo shoot.
Posted by Anna at January 21, 2007 09:01 PM
Comments
Well crap! You actually used my idea! I just threw it out there, and never really expected you or anyone else to take it seriously. I'm so happy it worked for you and that you find the results acceptable, at least.
Posted by: jaws at January 21, 2007 10:34 PM
the shawl is lovely and I'm actually please to know that I'm not the only ones that knits their stitch markets into the garment
Posted by: polly at January 21, 2007 10:41 PM
How wonderful to be finished with two big projects at once! So glad that you found a way to make your dad's cardigan work, and I hope he'll take a photo for us!
Posted by: Debby at January 21, 2007 10:54 PM
The shawl looks beautiful and if you hadn't said I would have thought the "jewel" deliberate. It looks rather nice there. I second the call for a photo shoot for your dad!
Posted by: Alison at January 21, 2007 10:59 PM
awesome seam on your dad's sweater. I made that shawl for my mama for Christmas and I had to be real careful about knitting the row before the nupp very loose. There is a sock in the knitting on the road book that I want to make and I will try out your process for the nupps then! Thanks for the advice, and thank you for commenting on my art case! My son loves it!
Posted by: patti at January 21, 2007 11:03 PM
Beautiful Shawl - I keep seeing such wonderful lace knit with the sea silk - it's making me itch to get some and try it!
Posted by: chris at January 21, 2007 11:09 PM
That's a beautiful shawl. :)
Posted by: natalie at January 21, 2007 11:33 PM
Oh- I just got the title too- Peter Gabriel, isn't it?
Posted by: patti at January 22, 2007 12:00 AM
That is a brilliant way to handle the nupps! If only I hadn't already done several rows of them the traditional way. Oh well, now I know for next time.
Gorgeous shawl, by the way. Isn't Seasilk a dream to knit with?
Posted by: Adriana at January 22, 2007 12:18 AM
I cannot blame you for not steeking - your solution is neat, practical, and reversible (should your dad pass the vest to a larger friend, or otherwise need it bigger).
Posted by: grumperina at January 22, 2007 01:26 AM
Your shawl really came out really pretty. Lucky mom.
Posted by: Barb at January 22, 2007 06:37 AM
That is such a lovely shawl, especially with its embellishment! People often say that the charm of handmade items is in their tiny imperfections - I'm not sure that's always true, but I love your accidental little stitchmarker. It's not just that it makes the shawl unique, I think it also shows how much concentration must have gone into making the shawl precise and perfect.
And congratulations on the Dad sweater! I do hope we will get to see it on. Your family and you make excellent models.
Posted by: Kitty Jimjams at January 22, 2007 10:16 AM
That stitchmarker can be called a happy accident, if you ask me--it's a lovely touch, a reminder of the hands that created the shawl (if the shawl itself isn't reminder enough!).
Posted by: Angela at January 22, 2007 12:32 PM
I'm very glad to see the solution to the dilemma about your father's cardigan. I have an Aran pullover I knit for myself years ago, back when the fashion was to wear oversized sweaters. It's just too wide to wear now, and I've often wondered if I could take in the sides the way you did your father's cardigan. Now that I know it can work successfully, I'll be brave enough to try it myself. (I just couldn't bear the idea of taking scissors to it!) Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Tracy WW at January 22, 2007 02:50 PM
Well well well done on the sweater repair! And a beautiful Swallowtail to boot! Sangria is a perfect name for that colour.
Posted by: Heather G. at January 22, 2007 03:31 PM
Gosh! I'd love to knit something so intricate. I normally would run away from a project like that but perhaps I should gulp and give it a go... thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Alice B at January 22, 2007 03:48 PM
well, at least it was a pretty stitch marker! i actually stopped using beaded stitch markers after knitting them into my fabric on several occasions :) i just can't be bothered anymore to make sure they aren't in the way.
great way to solve that problem with the sweater!
Posted by: gleek at January 22, 2007 04:01 PM
Lucky parents to receive such lovely gifts. I've had the same problem with stitch markers in the past; now I stick to the safety pin type ones, at least they can be opened and removed.
Posted by: Mary at January 22, 2007 04:31 PM
Genius.
Posted by: nikki at January 22, 2007 07:07 PM
your swallowtail came out beautifully.
Posted by: Cristina at January 22, 2007 07:54 PM
You are ahead of me - my Swallowtail shawl has sat unblocked for a couple months now. I prepared everything and now can't find my T-pins, for which I searched high and low to purchase...
Posted by: Heather at January 22, 2007 08:25 PM
Your swallowtail shawl is just gorgeous, I love that colour. And the stitch marker is nice, I would keep it there if it was mine!
Posted by: Lin at January 22, 2007 09:57 PM
Your swallowtail is beautiful - did you manage it with just one skein or did you need more?!? Half way through mine with only one skein purchased...
Posted by: jessica at January 22, 2007 10:58 PM
you've been very productive! i love the stitch marker knitted in. i think that's hilarious :) i bet your mom will keep it there as a reminder.
and your solution to the sew & cut i think is just fine. perhaps. if dad "grows" a bit, the seaming can be undone, and he will still have a sweater that fits?
i'm knitting on flicca. it's a joy :)
Posted by: gray la gran at January 23, 2007 01:06 AM
You and many other bloggers have been making life very difficult for me, what with these beautiful pictures of swallowtail shawls in sea silk! I'm trying to hold off until Stitches West, but waiting isn't easy!
Posted by: Sarah at January 23, 2007 02:02 AM
Oh how I love your swallowtail shawl, it must be so wonderful in the sea silk. And what a great solution to the sweater! It looks very neat and intentional - feather in your cap and what lucky, lucky parents!
Posted by: Sonya at January 23, 2007 02:53 AM
I made 4 swallowtails and knit all but one sans the nupps. I tried crochet hooks, smaller needles and every alternative to the 5st nupp and still failed miserably. I even thought about slipping some beads in as a replacement. But you're right, life is way to short to obsess over yarn loops. Bravo on yours!
Posted by: emily elizabeth at January 23, 2007 02:00 PM
Gorgeous!
And, tag! You're it!
Posted by: Alicia P. at January 23, 2007 07:11 PM
That shade of Sea Silk is to die for! Not as obviously variegated as I'd expected, based on pictures of the yarn online. I think I may need some.
So funny about the stitch marker! ;-)
Posted by: Beth S. at January 23, 2007 07:11 PM
I love the gem at the point. I'm sure your mother will fondly remember your story. Great shawl.
Posted by: Sheila at January 23, 2007 07:15 PM
I love the gem at the point. I'm sure your mother will fondly remember your story. Great shawl.
Posted by: Sheila at January 23, 2007 07:15 PM
The scarf is so beautiful, and the jewel is a perfect accent!
Posted by: hege at January 25, 2007 10:15 PM
Popping over from Hege's, beautiful Swallowtail, am making note of your genius modification.
Posted by: Marianne at January 27, 2007 03:38 PM
beautiful shawl...I used the same yarn for my beginner's lace scarf workshop and love it.
Posted by: Leslie at January 27, 2007 05:51 PM
Swallowtail Shawl looks beautiful. I hope your mum decides to keep in the little "charm".
Posted by: Kathleen at January 27, 2007 08:21 PM
Beautiful Swallowtail! At least the stitch marker is symetrically placed and almost at the point. Nice added touch.
Posted by: Manise at January 27, 2007 11:01 PM
Hooray, you did it! Brave girl, and that's such a neat seam. We must see your Dad wearing it. I love the shawl too, but what's a nupp?
Posted by: Penny at January 29, 2007 01:31 PM
I've just discovered your wonderful blog and love your designs. I've bought several of them from this site and am now knitting Jemima - really fancied a comfortable classic. I'd love to knit Sgt. Pepper but various attempts to find it through alchemy have failed... do you have it for sale/download?
Posted by: Cindy at January 29, 2007 01:55 PM
Isn't it funny that to you a 'P5tog' is tiring, whereas for me I love it and to do what you did would exhaust me! I love how there's always a different way to do something in knitting.
Congrats on the projects! The shawl is beautiful and I am sure your dad will love the sweater!
Posted by: Jenny at January 31, 2007 02:19 AM
Hello Emma,
I just found your blog and love it. So inspirational. AND your knitting - absolutely gorgeous.
I am so impressed by you and your creations that I have linked you in my blog. If you would rather that I did not please let me know and I can easily remove the link.
Have a wonderful day!
Posted by: Angie Grimm at January 31, 2007 01:51 PM
I am so sorry about the mutliple posts - the comments were acting up this morning. SORRY!
Posted by: Angie Grimm at February 1, 2007 01:01 AM
I adore your blog, and your knitting. But did you know that 3/4 of the left side of the screen is that image of pictures and your blog is squeezed into the right 1/4 of the display?
I tried in both Firefox and IE, and it looks the same in both.
Posted by: fleegle at February 1, 2007 09:37 PM
I just stumbled upon your website while searching for instructions on tubular bind off (really helpful pics btw)! I LOVE Bridie and would really like to get the pattern. Is there any way you could notify me when the pattern becomes available to buy?
Posted by: princesspumpkin at February 2, 2007 03:03 AM
The shawl is stunning, and re-interested me in that pattern... your nupp idea is good, as these were easy with big needles, but would be harder with smaller ones. I agree about the weight lifted when a lingering problem is solved - and neatly too.
Posted by: Birdsong at February 3, 2007 06:07 PM
Re you opening seam etc. to make narrower. I am
stuck with a sweater back almost finished, too wide.
Can I do the front in a smaller size, same needles
etc. and when I am ready to seam it, it won't be so
bulky a seam. I would guess I have to tack at least
one inch from both back seams. Width on back only,unblocked, is suppose to be 21.40 and it is 23.25
Sweater is in a diamond pattern (8 sts. plus 1)
plus 1 st. beg. and end of row. I may have to figure out if pattern meets properly at seams
if I do this but just let me know if this idea is
feasible and I will worry about the pattern part.
Sorry about the length of this. Hope I made myself
clear. Thanks.
Posted by: Mary Ruth Gaidosh at February 5, 2007 12:34 AM
I've just finished Argyle, and I'm wearing it in the office (and it has been commented on). I will post a picture when I've persuaded My Anthropologist to take it. He was stymied last time he came over, as it was only half seamed. ~x~
Posted by: Jane in London at February 5, 2007 01:26 PM