Way back in May I decided to knit a summer sweater based on the Carmel sweater by Isabell Kraemer. I love most anything with stripes and decided to make this my third knit garment. It’s been knit over 1900 times! Over the summer it became a UFO when I was short green yarn and needed to order more. And, then I was entirely distracted sewing tee shirts and work out pants.
Now, at the beginning of fall, I decided to pick it back up again. It’s a ‘summer’ sweater because the yarn is a DK weight, linen/ silk blend from Colourmart and provides zero warmth. I knit all of it including the ribbing on my Brother 830, a standard bed knitting machine.
The Carmel pattern is a written pattern (no schematic) only. And, I don’t really read knitting. So, I made a bunch of guesses about the dimensions and drafted away in Garment Designer. For this, I went with the cardigan in a basic shape, boat neckline and 3/4 tapered sleeves.
If I were to knit it again, I would knit a round neckline, contoured (more fitted) bodice, raise the armhole and keep the sleeves and length as originally drafted. I’d also pick colors with a higher contrast. The colors here are fine. But, I’d love something with a bit more contrast.
I really learned a lot from knitting this. I had to figure out where my color changes would be, picking the right tension for the ribbing, using my linker to seam the garment and just how very much I hate weaving in ends.
I borrowed this hat pin from my friend Liz. And, will be on the lookout for some of my own!
Ravelry notes here
My next knitting project is the Corvid Coat from Brooklyn Tweed. I’ve already started it on my bulky knitting machine using a sport weight yarn I bought a Maryland Sheep and Wool. Maybe I can get this one done while it’s still fall!
Miss Celie's Pants 
I couldn’t tell it was striped on the Instagram photo—so yes, more contrast. Also, I’m sure that this is one of those go-to summer garments that you’ll wear the heck out of next year. As with all things, there’s always something we’d do differently. All in all, I think you mark it a success.
Yes… I think I will grab it frequently in the summer. I did learn a lot. It’s just not quite what I had in mind. That said, now that I’m eyeball deep into the Corvid coat, I do need to break my ribber addiction 🙂
On Thu, Sep 29, 2016 at 5:03 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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nice job — i didn’t know the knitting machines could also do seaming. the corvid pattern is perfect for a knitting machine. you’d have to be insane to hand knit that.
It *is* perfect for machine knitting. I’ve got the two fronts and the back knit now. I just have to knit the ribbing. I can’t imagine knitting this all by hand!
On Thu, Sep 29, 2016 at 9:19 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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It is just beautiful! Look at the drape. First sweater, I’d be proud! I’ve taken up hand knitting since moving to Buffalo,NY. I have at least 3 UFO s ! I have begun getting my yarn from Deramores.com in the UK. Quality and price incomparable. Your Carmel waterfall sweater/cardi is lovely.
I’m so impressed with your machine knitting!
Beautiful!
Renee, I’m so impressed with you’re knitting! Wanted to follow up on the FB slacks/pants/trousers post. Two suggestions: 1) for RTW, I can recommend Julie style pants from the Loft (Loft.com has better selection usually) and 2) Myra (Simple Inspirations) and I did the Suzy Furer Pants Sloper class on Craftsy together. It was some math, and some work, but we both came away with good slopers. Of course, that takes a little more time.
I did manage to buy a great ponte knit this weekend from FabricMart. Hopefully I can get a decent pair of pull on pants for November (that’s when I need black pants). It may be time for me to suck it up and take a sloper class. I love dresses and skirts. But, I *need* pants too!
On Sat, Oct 1, 2016 at 1:52 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Re: pins. Search ebay for “stick pin” and you’ll find thousands of options. Happy hunting!
Mind a suggestion? There exists a thread-like elastic (available in a multitude of colors) that can be run through the edge stitches of the ribbing, which will neaten up the look. Pull it through with a plastic needle just tightly enough to make the edge smooth and uniform. Congratulations on another success.
Thanks for the suggestion, Carla! One side of the ribbing is very wobbly and the other side is better. The neater side I used KnitPick pins. But, the other side I tried weaving wires in and out and did a terrible job. Since the fiber has such little recovery it’s super wobbly where I used the wires. I’m going to reblock this and if it doesn’t even the ribbing back out uniformly, I will definitely try your suggestion!
I’m blocking another sweater now and won’t use wire in the ribbing for this reason. Just on the inside seams until I get the hang of doing it correctly.
On Tue, Oct 4, 2016 at 8:17 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Adapting hand knitting patterns for a knitting machine seems like sorcery. Hell, knitting machines seem like sorcery! It’s cool to see the things you’re making with it develop in complexity.