Lately, I’ve really been trying to look at a pattern and see more potential in it. I think it’s a good step for a knitter to be willing to take the bones of a pattern and make it their own. Take for instance this photo:
Never in a million years would I want to knit this sweater. But actually, I did. I’ve gotten to the point where I know that these sweaters (Knitting Pure and Simple) have good bones and I was fairly confident that I could change it into something beautiful.
This is what I did. I started with a solid colored yarn – an improvement already. Then I decided to work the raglan increases with a k1, yo rather than a kfb. After that I thought picot edging would be really great, so I worked that on every edge including the button bands. For the button bands, I only worked one row of garter stitch after picking up stitches then I worked the picot bind off. I decided to skip button holes and go with a single closure at the top, a sweet satin ribbon.
This is what I ended up with:
I think it’s a vast improvement to say the least AND I didn’t have to go and write a whole new pattern to get something totally different… I just changed a few things. THAT is my kind of knitting.
Category: knitting 9 comments »
February 6th, 2007 at 11:18 am
That’s adorable! What a creative woman you are. =)
February 6th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
I adore that sweater! It’s great.
I am the same way about patterns – I’ll see a pic and say “ick!” Had to train (and continue making myself!) see beyond someone’s terrible yarn choices!
February 6th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Wow, that’s gorgeous! You did a great job with that.
February 6th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Your completed sweater is so incredibly sweet! I need to train myself to be able to think in this manner as well!
February 6th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Yes, that is QUITE an improvement! Like you said, starting with a solid-colored yarn is a pretty big improvement already, but I think the picot edging is what really does it. :)
February 7th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Very nice! I crochet that way, too. I have to have a pattern as a basis but then I change a lot.
February 7th, 2007 at 9:43 am
SO much better!
February 7th, 2007 at 9:56 am
You blow me away! I don’t know if I will ever attain this level of greatness! : )
February 7th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Wow, I’m so used to doing it with recipes (as in, cooking) but not in knitting. Your example is an inspiration that we can all use. Thanks!