It’s been yeeeeaaars since I started this cardigan. And finally, this hot, sweaty summer, I managed to finish knitting it. It’s Amy O’Neill Houck’s Cropped Cardigan design and it’s so sweet looking. Knit with two strands of luscious Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca & Silk on big 8 mm needles, it’s supposed to be ridiculously easy… but somehow, I managed to make it a mess.
I ran out of yarn with about 3 inches left to go on the second sleeve. Of course, buying an extra skein of yarn four years (this is pretty much pre-Ravelry days, so I didn’t track even how many skeins I bought) after I started the cardigan meant that they were no where near the same dye lot. And not only were they different dye lot… they were different yarn lot. The main body of the cardigan is this warm and fuzzy kind of alpaca yarn, but the bit of extra yarn that I joined for the sleeve is all smooth and more silky looking. So it’s a sharp and distinct difference. It’s totally visible.
So now what? Should I wear it and just not care about the difference in the sleeve yarn (even though it’s totally obvious)? Or should I frog it? I’m leaning towards the frogging and knitting a Mini Manu. What would you do?
Oh, dear!
I would frog it, because it would bug me and eventually I wouldn’t wear it.
Oh, dear!
I would frog it, because it would bug me and eventually I wouldn’t wear it.
Yeah, I think it’s going to bug me too… that and the fact that I think I forgot to make the buttonhole. Ohh… it just gets worse. :P
Yeah, I think it’s going to bug me too… that and the fact that I think I forgot to make the buttonhole. Ohh… it just gets worse. :P
what about instead of trying to match going with something entirely different?
what about instead of trying to match going with something entirely different?
Oh, my, what a shame, but I’d frog it if it were mine. It won’t hurt too much…
Oh, my, what a shame, but I’d frog it if it were mine. It won’t hurt too much…
Could you unpick the BO from the other sleeve, then use that yarn end to knit until both sleeves are the same length? The sleeves would end up shorter than intended, but only by a few rows. The sweater looks really cute–it would be a shame to have to frog it!
Could you unpick the BO from the other sleeve, then use that yarn end to knit until both sleeves are the same length? The sleeves would end up shorter than intended, but only by a few rows. The sweater looks really cute–it would be a shame to have to frog it!
What about ripping and knitting the ribbing for both sleeves in the new yarn?
What about ripping and knitting the ribbing for both sleeves in the new yarn?
I assume you tried searching for matching yarn on ravelry? I have a couple of skeins I’d give you if they’re a match. Otherwise, they’ll marinate in my stash forever and I’d rather see them put to good use. They’re probably about 4 years old, too. Otherwise, Lauren’s suggestion sounds like a good one.
I assume you tried searching for matching yarn on ravelry? I have a couple of skeins I’d give you if they’re a match. Otherwise, they’ll marinate in my stash forever and I’d rather see them put to good use. They’re probably about 4 years old, too. Otherwise, Lauren’s suggestion sounds like a good one.
Why not pick a yarn that is a completely different colour, rip back the ribbing and stripe it. If you say pick white it would be a little Yohji Yamamoti. I love his wild stripe sleeve on traditional designs.
Why not pick a yarn that is a completely different colour, rip back the ribbing and stripe it. If you say pick white it would be a little Yohji Yamamoti. I love his wild stripe sleeve on traditional designs.
yeah, in this case, instead of frogging, I’d rip back few inches in the sleeves (both) and put a ribbing in the new yarn. And then maybe stitch over a row or two in the body section?
yeah, in this case, instead of frogging, I’d rip back few inches in the sleeves (both) and put a ribbing in the new yarn. And then maybe stitch over a row or two in the body section?
I had a very similar thing happen to me! I was making the Featherweight cardigan with some handspun I had bought at a Farmer’s Market, so obviously no more yarn to get when I ran out. So, I worked the ribbing on the sleeves, the bottom, and the collar in a different yarn, a contrasting colour. I really like how it came out, so maybe that’s an option?
(My sweater is here: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/SarahVV/featherweight-cardigan-2)
@Sarah V Ohh your Featherweight turned out beautifully. I actually love how the trim is all in a contrasting colour… provides some “grounding” for the variegated body portion. Looks great!
I had a very similar thing happen to me! I was making the Featherweight cardigan with some handspun I had bought at a Farmer’s Market, so obviously no more yarn to get when I ran out. So, I worked the ribbing on the sleeves, the bottom, and the collar in a different yarn, a contrasting colour. I really like how it came out, so maybe that’s an option?
(My sweater is here: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/SarahVV/featherweight-cardigan-2)
@Sarah V Ohh your Featherweight turned out beautifully. I actually love how the trim is all in a contrasting colour… provides some “grounding” for the variegated body portion. Looks great!
Assuming you like the cardigan otherwise… I would either undo both sleeves a little bit and then knit them both to the same (slightly shorter than called for) length, or failing that, do the ribbing for both sleeves in the new yarn. Or possibly another entirely different yarn.
Assuming you like the cardigan otherwise… I would either undo both sleeves a little bit and then knit them both to the same (slightly shorter than called for) length, or failing that, do the ribbing for both sleeves in the new yarn. Or possibly another entirely different yarn.
Rip back the offending color and the other sleeve, find a contrast for both sleeves.
Or over dye the whole thing!
Rip back the offending color and the other sleeve, find a contrast for both sleeves.
Or over dye the whole thing!
Definitely rip back the sleeves and either make them shorter or find a contrasting colour, as some others have suggested. It would be a shame to frog the whole thing!
Definitely rip back the sleeves and either make them shorter or find a contrasting colour, as some others have suggested. It would be a shame to frog the whole thing!
I wouldn’t frog it! I think it looks great….but yes a bit odd on one sleeve. So cut back the other sleeve a bit and add that yarn! It will give you a cute border on both sleeves! I think it would great that way!
I wouldn’t frog it! I think it looks great….but yes a bit odd on one sleeve. So cut back the other sleeve a bit and add that yarn! It will give you a cute border on both sleeves! I think it would great that way!
oh no! what about stealing some yarn from the completed sleeve and making both sleeves a bit shorter?
oh no! what about stealing some yarn from the completed sleeve and making both sleeves a bit shorter?
Argh! I feel for you. All that work! I would not frog it though. It’s been 4 years in the making and now it’s done. That would be a total shame. I agree with others that you should just go back to the original yarn and make the sleeves a bit shorter and then wear with pride!!!
Argh! I feel for you. All that work! I would not frog it though. It’s been 4 years in the making and now it’s done. That would be a total shame. I agree with others that you should just go back to the original yarn and make the sleeves a bit shorter and then wear with pride!!!
I agree with the folks above. Personally, I would rip back a little on both sleeves, knit as long as you can. Finish it. Then give it away. After the aggravation, I would never be able to wear it. Or, if you love the yarn, frog it. Good yarn shouldn’t be wasted on a sweater you’re angry at.
@CaraCara “Good yarn shouldn’t be wasted on a sweater you’re angry at.” That made me laugh out loud. So true, so true.
I agree with the folks above. Personally, I would rip back a little on both sleeves, knit as long as you can. Finish it. Then give it away. After the aggravation, I would never be able to wear it. Or, if you love the yarn, frog it. Good yarn shouldn’t be wasted on a sweater you’re angry at.
@CaraCara “Good yarn shouldn’t be wasted on a sweater you’re angry at.” That made me laugh out loud. So true, so true.
I agree with the other comments: I would either rip back and even out the sleeves, or make the ribbing on both sleeves the 2nd yarn.
I agree with the other comments: I would either rip back and even out the sleeves, or make the ribbing on both sleeves the 2nd yarn.
Wow! Thanks for all the very thoughtful suggestions! I think most of you lean towards not frogging … so it seems like the best solution might be to rip back the first sleeve by about an inch and use that yarn to knit on the second sleeve for an inch so that they both match up… then (optionally) finish both sleeves with the new yarn.
Amazing. I have just witnessed the internets saving the life of a sweater. :)
Wow! Thanks for all the very thoughtful suggestions! I think most of you lean towards not frogging … so it seems like the best solution might be to rip back the first sleeve by about an inch and use that yarn to knit on the second sleeve for an inch so that they both match up… then (optionally) finish both sleeves with the new yarn.
Amazing. I have just witnessed the internets saving the life of a sweater. :)
i’m late in chiming in, but wanted to way that I would rip back the other sleeve and make it match the two tone sleeve.
i’m late in chiming in, but wanted to way that I would rip back the other sleeve and make it match the two tone sleeve.
This happened to me. I didn’t rip the other sleeve to match. In fact, I chose a contrasting yarn when I ran out and wore the sweater with aplomb!
This happened to me. I didn’t rip the other sleeve to match. In fact, I chose a contrasting yarn when I ran out and wore the sweater with aplomb!
Make the two sleeves match, and add an inch on the bottom hem in the contrast yarn.
I think the contrast looks good!
Make the two sleeves match, and add an inch on the bottom hem in the contrast yarn.
I think the contrast looks good!
Leave it, wash it, wear it. Tink back the sleeves and fiddle if you must, but that’s too much work to frog.
Only you will notice anything less than perfect with it.
Leave it, wash it, wear it. Tink back the sleeves and fiddle if you must, but that’s too much work to frog.
Only you will notice anything less than perfect with it.
I agree with Jean and Sarah. Keep the contrast as a design element. Make the other sleeve match.
Darn yarn requirements!
I agree with Jean and Sarah. Keep the contrast as a design element. Make the other sleeve match.
Darn yarn requirements!
Put me in the Camp that says, rip out the ribbing and reknit with contrast. Save the sweater. It’s cute. It’s finished. It’ll take an evening to rip and redo the ribbing, versus frogging the entire thing.
Put me in the Camp that says, rip out the ribbing and reknit with contrast. Save the sweater. It’s cute. It’s finished. It’ll take an evening to rip and redo the ribbing, versus frogging the entire thing.
I would totally try Ravelry. I ran out of yarn a couple years ago while finishing a sweater I had started YEARS prior and I found the same dye lot! I was so psyched! Give it a try. I hope it works for you as well as it did for me!
I would totally try Ravelry. I ran out of yarn a couple years ago while finishing a sweater I had started YEARS prior and I found the same dye lot! I was so psyched! Give it a try. I hope it works for you as well as it did for me!
I love the way the coordinating trim looks on that sleeve. Pick off the bindoff and make the other sleeve end the same way, with an inch or two of the coordinating color.
I love the way the coordinating trim looks on that sleeve. Pick off the bindoff and make the other sleeve end the same way, with an inch or two of the coordinating color.
I would undo the ribbing on the other sleeve and redo it with the same contrasting yarn and then it will look like it was done on purpose!
I would undo the ribbing on the other sleeve and redo it with the same contrasting yarn and then it will look like it was done on purpose!
I would frog back the matched yarn and add a bright contrast trim – chartreuse green? bright teal? maybe also add a bright button to the sleeve to make the contrast colour a real design statement. do it on both sleeves or it might even be fun to have just one sleeve with the bright contrast
I would frog back the matched yarn and add a bright contrast trim – chartreuse green? bright teal? maybe also add a bright button to the sleeve to make the contrast colour a real design statement. do it on both sleeves or it might even be fun to have just one sleeve with the bright contrast
Okay admittedly this would cause me SO MUCH ANGST!
But I still say that you should wear it with some “hip” jeans and an outrageous bag and call it a fashion statement!
Of course, it is beautiful!!
Okay admittedly this would cause me SO MUCH ANGST!
But I still say that you should wear it with some “hip” jeans and an outrageous bag and call it a fashion statement!
Of course, it is beautiful!!
Whooops …. didn’t get to finish.
And I know it will look beautiful on you!
Whooops …. didn’t get to finish.
And I know it will look beautiful on you!
I would go with the idea of using a different yarn to trim the sleeves on both sides. A lot of Habu garments use this effect with the yarn grafted on somewhat underneath the first layer to give the appearance of wearing two layered garments, the second showing under the first. In fact, I think a Habu yarn could be perfect here–something a little finer-gauge, maybe black.
Don’t frog it, though–that would be a shame. It has some lovely details!
I would go with the idea of using a different yarn to trim the sleeves on both sides. A lot of Habu garments use this effect with the yarn grafted on somewhat underneath the first layer to give the appearance of wearing two layered garments, the second showing under the first. In fact, I think a Habu yarn could be perfect here–something a little finer-gauge, maybe black.
Don’t frog it, though–that would be a shame. It has some lovely details!
I would rip out the odd little bit at the end and re-knit with a totally different color- make a point of it! If you knit the last three inches in a different/contrasting color, it will be a design point; it only looks like a mistake if you pick something too similar to the main color.
I would rip out the odd little bit at the end and re-knit with a totally different color- make a point of it! If you knit the last three inches in a different/contrasting color, it will be a design point; it only looks like a mistake if you pick something too similar to the main color.
If it were me, I’d tear out the other cuff and knit it with the new yarn, too. Give it a purposeful appearance. There’s enough similarity that it would simply look like a design intention. What’s a few more stitches?
If it were me, I’d tear out the other cuff and knit it with the new yarn, too. Give it a purposeful appearance. There’s enough similarity that it would simply look like a design intention. What’s a few more stitches?
Why don’t you just make both sleeves shorter? Borrow a bit off the other sleeve to add to this one. Ta da! Cap sleeves!
Why don’t you just make both sleeves shorter? Borrow a bit off the other sleeve to add to this one. Ta da! Cap sleeves!
I agree with Diana!
I agree with Diana!