CraftFail

Sweater Inferno

April14

by Kim Werker

This is the first sweater I ever knit, clearly not to completion. Why not to completion? Because after I assembled the first sleeve and started on the second and then tried on the sweater, I discovered to my horror that the thing weighs as much as a knee-length coat and is hotter than Phoenix in August.

I thought it was silly to use smaller needles to knit the mock-rib edging, since ribbing pulls in, right? Um, no. This edging flares. Mock-rib FAIL.

Mock turtleneck? Thought that idea was faboo. Style FAIL.

Raglan sleeves? The completed one is way too tight in the armpit. Raglan FAIL.

Knowing I’d never wear the thing, I left it on a shelf, incomplete, for over five years. Closure FAIL.

At least this post makes me feel like I’ve kept it around this long for good reason. Next up: ripping it out.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

posted under Clothing, Knitting

12 Comments to

“Sweater Inferno”

On April 15th, 2009 at 3:17 am Prue Says:
I love the colour though!

Prue’s last blog post..Slightly more than window shopping
On April 15th, 2009 at 5:17 am Leslie Says:
I feel your pain, has to at least be cardis for me..

Leslie’s last blog post..What Colour is Your Rainbow?
On April 15th, 2009 at 8:25 am Heather from DollarStoreCrafts.com Says:
It looks pretty good… all your listed fails notwithstanding! Love the photo of you in it.
On April 15th, 2009 at 8:30 am Kim Werker Says:
@Prue – I love the colour, too. After I rip it, I’ll use that yarn for something new, for sure.

@Heather – Thanks. The fit, other than in the pits, was a definite win, and I was proud of that for my first sweater. For subsequent projects, though, I’ve stuck with very lightweight yarn!

Kim Werker’s last blog post..Redirecting Energy
On April 17th, 2009 at 6:44 am Mary Says:
At first I thought it weighed 28.5 pounds! lol.

I like the color! :)

Mary’s last blog post..A Last Supper Post for Shelley.
On April 18th, 2009 at 8:02 am Allison M Says:
Thanks for the good laugh this morning. I was literally brought to tears(pregnant and especially emotional). I have never undertaken any project like this at all, but feel your pain. Nice color though.
On April 18th, 2009 at 8:10 am Lars Says:
Make the sleeves into leg/arm warmers?
On April 18th, 2009 at 12:30 pm The Reluctant Craftster Says:
The first hat I knit my husband is also only appropriate for wearing on days where the temperature is below 0 F. Imagine super bulky yarn knit on size 8 needles. Learning about gauge can be a tough lesson.

The Reluctant Craftster’s last blog post..No Photos Please
On April 20th, 2009 at 5:06 pm Shannon Says:
And despite the overall fail, the style is super-cute and it’s a great color on you. Definitely frog the thing and reuse that yarn!
On June 13th, 2009 at 9:50 am Sewicked Says:
I don’t know, if you plan to visit the arctic, this would be a great sweater. Even if it’s heavy, if it’s not too bullky, it could work instead of a coat. Shame about that sleeve fit, though.
On August 16th, 2009 at 4:51 pm emily Says:
if the sleeve were finished, I’d totally wear this. I’m always cold anyhow!
On March 7th, 2010 at 10:46 am Kate Lang Says:
I must have an awful sense of style… I LOVE it, and would probably wear it out! :)