Baby Doll Sweater Project (Set-In Sleeve, Simultaneous Method)

Pattern: Baby Doll Sweater Project (Set-In Sleeve, Simultaneous Method)
Reference Books: Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker

Yarn Brand: Bryspun
Yarn Name: Kid -n- Ewe
Yarn Colorway: 610 Brown
Yarn Content: 50% Wool and 50% Kid Mohair
Yardage: 1 ball = 1.75 oz (50g) = 120 yards (110 m)

Yarn Source: Stash

Amount of yarn used: 1 ball

Needle: Size 6 US (3.8 mm) – INOX

Project Duration: 08/10/2007 – 8/19/2007 (9 days)

Recipient: Prototype

Project Notes:
So, this was a very interesting sweater to knit, technique wise. First of all, let’s talk about proportion. The problem with Barbara Walker is that she asks that you try your knitting on as you go along, and the guidelines that she gives, like “increase till about 1 inch”, are for real human beings. As I don’t have a doll, the shoulders are drastically sloped by short rows and the arms turned out to be freakishly huge. Well, the lessons learn!

Ok, now I want to talk about some other issues I have with this project. As mentioned in my previous post, I had some issues with Short Rowing. Dave has been so gracious to help by providing me links to several sites with videos on how to do short rows. He also brought to my attention that it wasn’t my wrapping that was the problem, it was me picking up the wraps afterwards that was rather sloppy. Note red circles.

Dave, if you don’t mind, I’m going to share these links you gave me in this post. I will make you proud of my next short row!!!

• Wrapping, Turning & Concealing
• Double Wrapping

The next issue I have is the various methods of making a seamless set-in sleeve from the top down that Barb provides.

1. Body first
2. Sleeve first
3. Simultaneously

Of course, I thought knitting this whole thing at once would be quicker and more fun, so I opted for option 3. Don’t like it at all!! Look!!!

The section where the stitches were picked up look dramatically different once the simultaneous knitting starts and it is pivoted with a bulge at the connect points. While the pro for this method is no short rowing on the sleeve cap, it does make an ugly set in sleeve. So, my next baby doll project would be actually trying to carve out a set in sleeve. We’ll see.

And like I said, I like to experiment and I experimented on Applied I-Cords, courtesy of Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitting Glossary DVD. Let me bring to your attention a couple of things. Take a look at the red circles.

This problem is very visible when you have the applied I-Cord in a different color. See the brown peeking out? There is a solution for this. As you can see, on purpose, I made these brown spots poke out to illustrate my point. Maybe I’ll write a tutorial on how to hide them. But for now, just send me an e-mail and I’ll try to explain.

Also, I-Cords do not REALLY alltogether get rid of the infamous rolling of stockinette stitch. I rest my case.

And lastly, I got a little lazy with the sleeves and made short sleeves while utilizing the natural roll of the stockinette stitch as the decorative effect.

Stay tuned for the next Baby Doll Sweater Project.

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