Minimalist - Almost Finished the Finishing!

Tomorrow I should be able to post a full FO report but even so close to the finish there are still things to say...

First of all, in making this all over seed stitch cardi I definitely improved my Continental technique. It was evident from the beginning of each piece to its end with my tension getting more consistent with each row. With this being my first all Continental all the time sweater its naturally not even close to my usual English knitting.  This is especially evident in the stockinette panels dominating the front of the sweater (above) and the presence of more than a few gaping seed stitches (below) that despite a double dose of blocking (wet and steam) there are obvious tension issues and visible "rowing out"*.

From a distance and among non knitters this will probably be a non issue - especially since the drape of this piece is gorgeous. The blocking wires ensured all the lower edges as well as the inside edging of the open front are dead straight and even which distracts from the uneven quality the rowing out lends to things.

I'll leave commenting on the fit on me until tomorrow but the way the pieces fit together really is the stuff of the assembly story.

 I know many people knit so as to avoid assembly and finishing altogether. In fact several of the sweaters I've happily made in the past year and a half fall into such a category but I have to admit I quite appreciate the effect and shaping that's possible when pieces are knit separately and seamed, sleeves are shaped and set in and blocking is done in advance of finishing. It lends a different quality to the garment that when I put it on, makes me feel good for having made the additional effort.

I dedicated last evening to doing that work and sewed in all the ends. What remains now is to graft the centre seam of the collar back. (BTW the shot below also illustrates the rowing out. To the right of the pins you can clearly see the pairs of one loose and thereby more prominent row and then one slightly tighter row with its resulting tendency to kind of recede in comparison to it looser neighbour.

I admit I don't always go the extra distance to correct the grafting at the toe of a sock if its a bit off but I am going to really strive to get this very visible seam dead on and so try to do it in the light of day when my wits are about me and the distractions of my family are not!

Thanks for dropping by!

*"Rowing Out" results when one row is knit at a different tension than the other - apparently its most notable in Stockinette.