Back to FLAK

After my Knitting Olympics disaster (see below) I’ve returned to my FLAK sweater. The back and front are done and now I’m working away on the left sleeve.


Front view


Back view

I learned a valuable lesson from the disaster and I’m only knitting one sleeve at a time. At least that way if it doesn’t turn out right I only have to rip out one. I’m also trying this one on more frequently. I’m only decreasing every 8th row, which seems to be working so far. I’m planning to switch to every 4th row when I get closer to the cuff. My filler stitch has a 4 row repeat so it’s easier for me to remember the decreases if I always do them on the same row of the pattern. I had a little trouble switching from knitting the top of the sleeve flat to knitting in the round. I have to remind myself whether I’m on a “knit” row (right side) or a “purl” row (wrong side.) I’m using Joan Schrouder’s decrease technique. She has you decrease alongside the cable band instead of on the underside of the sleeve (the little bits of contrasting yarn mark the decreases.) I had never seen this before. It looks pretty neat.


Overhead view

Unfortunately my sweater isn’t particularly photogenic right now. Use your imagination. *grin*

Long time no post

Well, the Knitting Olympics came along and I knit like a fiend. Here’s what my sweater looked like after about a week:



I didn’t try it on until both sleeves were almost done, which was several days too late. Even though I actually followed the pattern to the letter (which I never, ever do) the sleeves are too tight. The body doesn’t seem big enough either, even though it should have plenty of ease. I suspect that my gauge might have gotten tighter since I was trying to knit for a deadline. It’s been on time out since just before the closing ceremonies. At some point I plan to get it out and see if I can figure out what went wrong. Right now the disappointment is just too fresh. *smile*