Nothing like tying up some loose ends…
Heh. Or in this case, finishing a Re-DO!
A few weeks (months?) ago, a Mondo Cable Cardi I made in Fall 2009 went back on the needles for some serious mods: what about changing the cap sleeves to long sleeves to refresh the whole look of it? Yes.
I’m getting ready to move and have been sifting through everything – fearlessly culling the used from the unused and sending the latter on its way.
But this was something that just seemed like it needed a second chance!
It was perfectly OK the way it was, but it just wasn’t getting enough play in the wardrobe.
The new rule is: if you don’t wear it there isn’t room for it. I’ve been merrily giving even unexpected garments their walking papers and I have to say – it is very liberating! ;p
But this little number had some great things going for it: it fit well and I loved the fabric (lightweight but cozy).
SO it earned a turn back on the needles when, while doing all that culling, I found some leftover yarn…
Since the sleeves were knit downward from the armhole, it was a quick frog of the ribbed edging on the cap sleeves and then a replacemet of the live stitches on the needles.
Something that always happens: the live stitches, being blocked, were flat and a little twisted. But I knew that at the end of the modding, I was going to give this a nice warm bath in some gentle, lavendar-herbal shampoo.
(It would, as they say, all come out in the wash – the stitches would puff up and match the rest of the sleeve.)
As I was working on the sleeves, I tried the sweater on several times. Each time I found myself folding the neck edging inward – to see if it worked better for this as a narrower band.
The MCCardi comes with instructions for a 1 (2, 4)” Collar so it would be a no-math exercise to replace & re-knit the neckline. I also wanted to try out some after-thought “buttonholes” with some smaller, lighter buttons.
And VOILA!
With a little bit of tinking and evening knitting, it’s like having a whole new sweater!
I thinkt it deserved a little “portrait” with my knitting library…
Love the reinvented MCC! Will try the variations on my next one to knit.
Oh now that is a nice accomplishment, love the color :}
Thank you for posting your alterations. It is so encouraging to me. I become fearful of touching something once done for fear of loosing the work already invested in it. In truth the work is wasted if the garment and fit are not loved.
This helps me to look at the project as just that, a project complete only when it pleases me.
You are so right: a garment has to earn its keep! When I figured out I had things that were just not being worn they crossed the line from fun to feh.
And because I am going to be moving in the (I hope) near future, I can’t keep storing all sorts of non-functional stuff.
It’s been a real motivator.
It helps to be patient & meticulous – I love to un-knot the woven ends and FROG!
But the payoff is that I end up with some refreshed styles with not a lot of work in some cases. Have been taking off collars & zippers and replacing that with bands and buttons, too. :)
Lurve-ly, as always! I have that sweater in my queue…can’t start anything new till I plow through my SEVENTEEN unfinished projects, though! Happy mild winter, Ann
Love the modifiations Bonne Marie! My Ariann has never been quite right (gage error in my rookie days!) this is a real inspiration to make it right!
Moving – oh no! Your apartment always looks so perfect in your photos. I hope it’s a desired and positive change for you.