So a while back I resolved to blog more about process - and failure, more specifically. Following through on this resolution will do two things for me: 1. I'll blog more often since I won't just be checking in here to say "hey look at this thing I just finished") and 2. more of my personality will come through on my blog. Recently, I took part in a moderated group chat in the ravelry designers' group. We were talking briefly about blogging and how much personality can/should come through in a blog. There's a fine line, in my view, between blogs demonstrating absolutely nothing about the author ("hey look at this thing I knit! That's all!") and those that contain so much personal information as to be boring and unrelateable ("why would I want to hear so much about your ____ that I have no interest in? Just show me the crafts!") At any rate, one way of being interesting (without being too personal, if that makes sense) is to talk about mistakes you've made and what you've done to deal with these problems. Few things bore me more than those overwhelmingly positive and perfect blogs. You know the ones: "I just finished these 19 quilts and fed my 6 children their all organic lunches and then we all ran through the picturesque field that is our yard and then rainbows came shooting out my ass!" Don't get me wrong, I love quilts, babies, organic food, positivity, and all that shit, but when this is the shape and tone of every single post on a blog I get BORED because this is not what my own life is like. I need to be able to relate in some way.
At any rate, tirade over. Enter: my deep v argyle vest.
Ironically, after making that rainbow-ass joke, I'd like to point out that this is the t-shirt I'm wearing under my vest.
So about that vest... something's not quite right, right? The bottom half looks okay.
Gosh that waist shaping fits me great. But what's up with the shoulders? Why do I look like a linebacker?
This right here might have something to do with it. So before you ask, my row gauge is spot on. The issue here is that I am somehow just now realizing, at age 31, that I have really small shoulders, and that the distance from my shoulders to waist is REALLY short. I suppose this is why petite sizes fit me so well when I'm 5'6" tall.
Now what to do about the vest situation? As much as it pains me, there is going to be some ripping. And this is a completely finished garment. I'm going to take off all that ribbing around the arms and the neckline. Picking up all those stitches took me an eternity and I plan on crying a single tear for each one. Then I'm going to start cutting/tearing until the fronts and back are a bit shorter, graft them together, do whatever crazy shit I'm going to have to do with the steeks that are then going to be dangling in the wind, and redo all that ribbing. The only thing I'm not sure about is what will happen with the steeks alongside the rows that are going to be taken out. Can I just tear those back as well and re-secure? Leave them as-is and sew them down? It all makes me want to puke, but I think in the end I'm going to end up with a vest that I'll actually wear. And by the way, if you've heard of anyone doing a similar surgery on a garment involving steeks or have any tips or suggestions I am ALL EARS.
I’m not sure I can explain in words what I’m thinking here, but before you go ripping any shit out, especially all that ribbing, let’s have a conversation about my idea. it involves a sewing machine and cutting afterward but ripping nothing really.
i think carolyn’s got an idea there and i would listen to her. also those perfect blogs just make me hate myself because i will never achieve perfection. and i’ve given that up this year.
Eh, it happens. I’d do the same. I might (maybe???) be tempted to put in a second steek at the shoulder, right where you’re holding the extra fabric pinched with your fingers. The other way is more of a sure thing, I think (except for unraveling the extra along the steeked armhole and neckhole – I don’t know what would happen there). Steeking the shoulders is a huge question mark. But I would at least think about it, maybe try on a swatch?
Also, if you get breast implants, you’d be all set with the vest as is. Like, giant ‘uns.
I know you’ve thought long and hard about this, but i DO wonder if it’s possible to do the sewing surgery in order to leave the ribbings as they are, too…
I knit like a fiend this weekend only to realize this morning that there are errata for the pattern I’m working on. I felt foolish for not checking and want to cry a little at how much work I have to rip, but I’ll do it. Thanks for providing some insight into your process and how you deal with mistakes.
I’m here for you.
I am 100% behind the sewing idea. I think it would work, and if it doesn’t, I don’t think it would be too late to cut, rip, and redo.
Oh man. Dude, this would be when I found a friend with different proportions than I had and sent it to them. (but then, I am very , very lazy)
Bah! I would definitely shed the tear(s). Unfortunately I have no steek securing advice as I haven’t steeked before. Either way, good luck.
That totally sucks. This is why I’m afraid to make any garments for myself that involve knitting math.
You know, though, you would totally rock that vest with shoulder pads. Aren’t ’80s fashions coming back into style?
DO NOT RIP IT GIVE IT TO MEEEEEEEEEEE!
Cut that bitch and sew it up. It will work. We believe in you.
I know nothing of sewing surgery, but i love that you are showing me your process, and your “mistakes”. i am already learning so much reading about potential sewing surgeries!
Why has no one mentioned felting the shit out of it? Have you thought about throwing it in the dryer and shrinking it to make it work?
That sux. I’m sorry. Peter is there for you.
this is making me woozy. i’ll keep my fingers crossed for ya… something is bound to work.
Good luck with the vest. I’m hoping there won’t be ripping or crying.
Add another to the machine sew and cut the shoulders so they’ll fit for you. Good luck!
I’m really, really digging your approach to the blog and to this vest. I have been totally absent from my blog and this post has given me something to think about. Then again, I have also not been knitting AT ALL so posting on my knitting blog seems like cheating.
Good luck with the repairs on the vest.
Yup, I like the shoulder approach too. Also, I identify with the lack of rainbow-ass-shooting.
Eek! That blows, yo! However, I agree that you’ll feel better once you do whatever you end up doing to make it fit you. Definitely try the sewing angle. I wouldn’t be able to do that on my own, but hopefully Carolyn can help.
On a brighter note, my shoulders are oddly small compared to the rest of my body (I once made a baby cape and it fit around my shoulders, no problem. WTF?), so if I ever end up knitting this, I’ll know to keep an eye out for this issue. Thanks!
I will be of no help whatsoever on this problem…it hurts me to even think about it. And likely I would find someone to give it to because it would pain me too much to try and fix that. So I admire that you have chosen to fix it! But what I can do is compliment the knitting…the colorwork looks fabulous!
Interesting thoughts on blogging…makes me stop and think where I fall on that spectrum!
I too get sick of the perfect knitting blogs! Bring yours on!
I got nothing except stunned silence. I’m SO sorry this didn’t work out and that it’s going to be a bitch to fix. That really, truly, genuinely BLOWS.