Matt’s suave sweater
November 24th, 2009
After many years, many mistakes, many stints in the naughty corner and much procrastination, Matt’s Suave Sweater is done. It’s a big mixture of relief that it’s done and that it fits well, and sadness.
“Jumper” (seriously, that’s what it’s called) from Patons Bluebell pattern book 353, Suave Sweaters (circa 1970s)
5 ply olive green crepe from the magical and slightly mystical Bendigo Woollen Mills Bargain Room
3mm needles
Started: Some time during 2005
Finished: November 2009
Ravelryed here
If only I used Bluebell, this project could have been completed a lot quicker and with a lot less tears. However, I thought it would be a good substitute and was determined to make it work.
As I was finishing it off, I thought about all the things that have happened while it’s been in my knitting basket. I remember working on it while on the tram coming home from the last time I saw Matt’s dad before he died. I remember it being one of the ‘special’ projects that came with us when we overloaded my little car and made our way up the Hume nearly three years ago (but strangely, it was trusted with the removalists on our return. It must have been in the naughty corner at the time). I don’t think there’s been a project that has carried so many memories, but this may be purely because of the length of time it took to finish it.
Being a pretty plain diagonal rib jumper, it’s probably an unremarkable project to everyone but me, but I’m really proud of it. I worked through the gauge issues, the sleeve cap issues and the ‘losing the pattern’ issues (thank you to Australian Country Spinners for helping me out there) without ever thinking about giving up. Best of all, it fits and he likes it a lot.
The only concern I have is the sleeves. Does anyone else think it looks a bit strange at the shoulder? The amount of staring at the sleeve cap may have warped my perception but it doesn’t look quite right, a bit lumpy and baggy. Having said all that it’s unlikely that I’ll unpick it, it can just be a charming character flaw.
Now that it’s done, there’s one small diversion to deal with and then a new project can be started. I’ve been fawning over the yarn and pattern for the last couple of weeks when the end was in sight, so it will be most pleasing to get a start on it.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
What lovely memories! And what a great feeling to have finished it – very inspiring to a chronic un-finisher like me. I hope the half finished cardi that I brought up the Hume with me doesn’t go back down the Hume unfinished 🙂
(I can’t see anything funny about the sleeve cap – and anyway, it’ll all come out in the wash)
November 25th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Well done on working past those issues and finally finishing! Although it’s a little sad to say goodbye to a project that’s been a constant companion for so long, now you’ll be able to relive the memories every time it’s worn. And I think the sleeve caps look fine 🙂
November 25th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
oh hurray! What an achievement! If I had a project sitting around for that long I’d probably have frogged it long ago. But this is a lesson in not always doing that. The memories over such a long period make it so worthwhile. Oh and the end result. It’s fabulous. I think the sleeve cap is just fine, really!
November 26th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Very suave and totally fits him. Excellent work, even the sleeve cap which does look fine. The one and only I made for my husband swam oh so not suavely on him, so it’s been in the naughty corner ever since! Love the colour too.
November 26th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
It looks so fantastic, Emma! I can’t see what’s wrong with the sleeve, so yeah, probably leave it alone!
December 5th, 2009 at 8:45 am
That is such a great jumper, it looks really good – perfect fit! The shoulder doesn’t look strange to me at all. I love your description of all the memories that have accompanied the knitting of the jumper… I love the way that that happens, and that making a particular project really reminds you of a particular time in your life. And now there will be all the new memories that will happen as it is worn!