Firstly, a huge thank you for all the comments last Friday on my saggy vest disaster. It really meant a huge amount to me to just get some sympathy and virtual hugs.
I did stuff the whole vest in the corner of my bedroom and ignore it for the weekend. I was cross with the pattern, with myself for not doing enough measuring beforehand and just feeling very disillusioned. I was sorely tempted to fetch some yarn from my stash and start a new project; it’s not as if my queue isn’t lacking in jumpers and cardigans. But I am very, very stubborn about some things and I wanted a vest, dammit! I’d bought a new shirt ready to wear underneath it and I was determined that it wouldn’t go to waste (I can’t wear the shirt without something over the top unless I buy some less-colourful underwear..!).
I was ready to frog to the point before the first steek was set, as I couldn’t see how else I could frog it. But Lien suggested in the comments that I just unravel the shoulders to a suitable point. In the end, I had nothing extra to lose by trying this, so why not? The snowy weather and a house full of people put paid to my plans for fixing the vest after the weekend, but Mr B is back at work, the school is open and I sat down this morning to start.
Fortunately, I hadn’t woven in the ends very much, so unpicking all the ribbing wasn’t too much hassle. I painstakingly put the reserved stitches from the armscye and neck shaping onto spare needles or yarn and then began the terror of the great unravelling.
What I hadn’t thought about was the fact that there would be so many ends.
Each row is two strands of yarn, cut either end by the steeking process. So for each row I had to find the right brown and cream thread and unravel them. It took a long time. But finally, I was happy with the result and grafted the shoulders together at the new finishing point.
I’ve lost the back neck shaping, of course, but without knitting backwards and forwards there’s no way to recreate it, as I can’t re-steek. But after trying it on, even with the dangling threads and needles around my neck, I’m much happier:
Once the ribbing is redone and I have reblocked it, I’m hopeful that I’ll now have a wearable vest. Though I also have lots of crinkly yarn which I think will need unkinking before I can reuse it. It’s never easy to fix something, is it?!
Bravo!! I think it already looks much better! Great job!
You’ve inspired me! I knitted a sweater over a year ago that is just too big through the bust- but I tried to make it work anyway. I wore it twice, and since then it has graced the bottom dresser drawer for over a year. Although there was no steeking or stranded knitting to complicate unravelling, I just haven’t been able to bring myself to do it. I’m pulling it out right now. If I don’t re-knit, at least I’ll get my gorgeous hand-dyed (by Me!) back. The vest looks great, and I’m full of admiration for your stick-to-it-iveness.
Well done you for being so brave! I bet you feel so much better for having done it, knowing that it’s not festering there in the corner every time you think about starting a new project! And it’s looking good so far.
that does look much better. fixing something after you think it’s all done is soooo obnoxious, but it feels good to get it done proper. i’ve got a sweater/jacket that really is just too baggy (per the pattern, but i wasn’t expecting it to be so bad) and i rarely wear it. when i do i think of all the things i’d change on it, but can’t quite make up my mind to rip the whole thing out and start over. it would be much more comfortable to wear, both physically and mentally (since i wouldn’t be re-knitting it in my head), i just haven’t taken the plunge yet. you did such a great job it may inspire me though, and you had all those ends to deal with too. way to go!
That looks brilliant now.. I’m so glad you decided to go back to it and re-do it. I think it’s beautiful.
It’s looking so much better, I’m really glad you decided to fix it and not throw it. It’s going to be fab
wow…you have the patience of a saint. No way would i have gone through all that, no matter how much i wanted to wear something.
Oh good on you. That’s a great improvement. I admire your perserverence. For that much work though, it really is worth it.
What a beautiful vest! I can see it fit well now:You deserve a Gold star for courage ,perseverance anf gorgeous knitting!!
I just think you are a total hero! I’d have given in and found a darkened corner and just CRIED! and bite down hard on something before sulking! well done you!!
Sue
Yay! It looks so much better
Wow, that was fast! If it was me, it’d still be hiding in the corner this time next year! It looks great, well done!