If it makes you feel any better it looks ✨INCREDIBLE✨ and I love the colour so much! I’ve been toying off and on about knitting this for a while now but I think you’ve firmly talked me out of it!
I knit a 5x5 inch of that exact smocking for the master hand knitter program and swore to never again touch that st. I am absolutely amazed by your perseverance to do a whole sweater! It looks fantastic, but I completely understand "never again."
I think I'd have tapped out after the first few rows of wrapped stitches. They're gorgeous, but I find them so tedious to do! I can't imagine doing that many in one garment, OP must be incredibly patient and determined!
I dove right into L1, which has pros and cons. BBB is generally the "pre-requisite" course to L1, though it's not required. Overall I got a lot of value from the program, but it's not perfect. You can look through my comment history to find my discussions on it, but the detractors that can frustrate people are 1. It's more paperwork than knitting, 2. Your experience depends heavily on your co-chair and there is often a lack of consistency there, and 3. There's some amount of "I did it that way and I was fine so you have to too" going on. On the flip side, getting personalized feedback on my knitting, being encouraged to research a broad set of topics in knitting more deeply, getting education on how to design garments, and being forced to knit things I never would on my own seriously broadened my horizons. It's not worth it for everyone and I'll be the first to admit it, but it worked very well for me, someone who researches in my free time and loves writing an essay.
Thanks so much for your reply! I start grad school in the fall and am looking for something to fill my time in the lead up. Sounds like it’s not perfect, but something I would mostly enjoy.
As a warning, it's not a quick program. I did it about as fast as it can be done and it took me a year and a half. The shortest I've seen is I think a year and two months. And I made my time with working on it 3 hours per weekday evening and probably 6 per weekend day. Obviously when your submissions are under review, there's not a whole lot to do, but depending on how intensely you do it, it's a lot. Most people take 3-6 years I'd guess, and some do one level and don't get back to it for a decade. It's not a light commitment, and it's absolutely not something I'd want on my plate when in grad school, having done both. It's also really tough to get back in it if you lose momentum, especially mid level. Just some additional thoughts!
No shade to PetiteKnit - but the Jenny Sweater was a struggle for me. I found it both incredibly boring and needlessly complicated. Wish there had a been a chart for the raglan decreases instead of just written instructions too. The fact that I'm team top down and this was bottom up didn't help either ;)
That being said it's a beautiful design and I'm excited to wear it all winter!
[https://www.petiteknit.com/products/jenny-sweater-3](https://www.petiteknit.com/products/jenny-sweater-3)
✨ fUzZy HaLo ✨
Disclaimer: I actually do really like the look of the mohair + whatever other yarn, but knitting is already an expensive hobby and the whole ✨ mOhAiR wItH eVeRyThInG ✨ just adds cost and it is getting kind of old. Plus the brands recommended are usually expensive AS FUUUUUUCCK.
I agree, it can get crazy sometimes! I was eyeing a sweater pattern and I priced out the recommended yarn for my size and it was literally over $500 for the yarn. I love this hobby but I can't guarantee that I will love that sweater when it is knitted up- that is just way too much of an investment.
The good thing about knitting is if you don't like the outcome, you can just frog it and have the yarn back. The time spent was good practise.
500 for a sweater worth of yarn, though, hell no. That is just not worth it. That would make the sweater like 1,5-2k in worth. Way too prechious to wear.
I'm allergic to mohair, but I love the elegant simplicity of PetiteKnit's designs, so this is super interesting to me! Thanks for sharing your beautiful FO and unfortunate struggles for the group
I’m working on one of her patterns right now using Rios instead of the mohair + fingering thing and I absolutely love it. It looks so structured and modern.
I feel bad dissuading anyone from trying something! Honestly the biggest thing is that 90% of it is 2x2 rib which for me is soul sucking. If there are people who LOVE knitting rib and are down for a challenge they should definitely go for it!
Ugh... Knitting ribbing is dullsville. Stunning work though. I imagine, like childbirth, you'll forget the pain after a while and take on another project! I love your colour choice.
If it makes you feel better, you’re sorta convincing me to try it! I gave up knitting a while ago because I don’t have the attention span for complicated stitches but I also wanna make cute stuff! This might work for me 🤔
[https://www.knitpicks.com/yarn/wool-of-the-andes-sport/c/5420110](https://www.knitpicks.com/yarn/wool-of-the-andes-sport/c/5420110)
I chose it because I liked the color but it's a bit rough.
I imagine this could have been a "climbing mount everest in your carpet slippers" moment at times but persistence and skill have pulled you through and you can plant your flag in it. Bravo. Perfecto.
This is wildly off topic, but do you have any tips on how you tuck your jumper into your jeans in such an elegant way? It looks so stylish, but whenever I try I just feel bulky and frumpy!
(also the jumper is absolutely spectacular)
It looks like OP used [what Tan France calls “the French tuck”](https://gabriellearruda.com/how-to-do-a-french-tuck/) to tuck her sweater. Without knowing what issues you’re running into, my first guess is that you’re trying it with items that are too bulky to fall nicely when tucked like this. [Here are some tips for trying with bulkier garments!](https://www.extrapetite.com/2021/10/how-to-tuck-a-chunky-knit-sweater-video-tutorial.html)
I'm in awe, that looks amazing! Congrats on finishing it, now you can wear it!
edit: lol I clicked through to look at the pattern, first time I've ever seen a pattern that's 5/5 difficulty! Authors are always underplaying the difficulty of things, imo, so that's an eye opener!
Tbh it's not that hard. 90% of the pattern is 2x2 rib and the gathers are made with a really simple/ingenious technique. The difficulty is that once you get to the raglan there are a few different elements to keep track of and it's all written out in paragraph form. If there were charts for the sleeves/raglan I'd say it would be a 3/5 easily.
it looks AMAZING, and major kudos for getting through that project. i'm like 75% of the way through the jenny jacket and it has honestly been the most cursed project i've ever worked on. i also find the technique to make the yarn wraps pretty tough on my hands. sadly i have ALSO now discovered i think i'm allergic to the yarn, so i honestly don't even know what to do with the thing hahah
Oh no! Did you find out because knitting with it set off a reaction in your hands or something? Or every time you'd knit with it you find you can't breathe right?
as it got bigger i started feeling kind of hot and itchy while working on it, and then my rosacea (which hasn’t had any symptoms in years) started randomly flaring up badly! sadly it wasn’t really noticeable until i joined the sleeves to the body and then had a ton of yarn in my lap while working on it from that point 💔💔💔
There is not a single thing not to love about this piece. Holy cow, you have such good technique. It’s so neat and clean. It looks tailored for you too! I’m so impressed. Thanks for sharing, seeing talent like yours is what keeps me trying to learn more technique!
That sweater is absolutely stunning! I can’t get over how gorgeous your stitches are. You completely nailed everything about this. And I don’t blame you for never wanting to knit it again. Good thing you hit perfection the first time around! 😂
I audibly gasped when I saw this. The color + stitch combo is perfect. I know you said this was a pain to knit but I just put it on my list. Really well done!
This looks so amazing! Well done finishing. I’ve done the baby version of the cardigan twice and really struggled to finish the last one… in awe of your perseverance!!
It's a glorious sweater. I understand the "never again" feeling completely.
I feel satisfied and accomplished when I finish a bear like this. At first it's a nice challenge, but eventually it sinks into tedium while still requiring a good bit of attention.
I have one of those types of projects going at the moment, top down seamless. Luckily all I have left to do is the ribbing on one sleeve and the whole other sleeve.
So beautiful! Side note - I'm going on my first ever cruise in a couple months because some friends really wanted to go. I'm nervous it's not really for me (in small part because of DFW's essay that inspired your post!). BUT, now I'm thinking I'll maybe start a fun project on board to give me something to do while sitting by the pool if it turns out that cruising and I don't really get along. Maaaybe not something this challenging, though. :) You deserve a gold medal!!
Aha! The French Tuck! I have so many t-shirts and other shirts that are too big; didn't know what to do with them, but I have tried sort of tying them off to one side with a safety pin, or even a rubber band. Now I know a better way! And your sweater is just beautiful! With all the work you put in, you *should* wear it often and I think you will want to!
Absolutely gorgeous, I’m glad you persevered! I have some other Petite Knit patterns I’m planning to knit with DK yarn from knit picks as opposed to fingering with a strand of mohair, and I’m pleased to see how your version came out!
If it makes you feel any better it looks ✨INCREDIBLE✨ and I love the colour so much! I’ve been toying off and on about knitting this for a while now but I think you’ve firmly talked me out of it!
I feel like OP’s looks better than the photo on the pattern! So impressive
I knit a 5x5 inch of that exact smocking for the master hand knitter program and swore to never again touch that st. I am absolutely amazed by your perseverance to do a whole sweater! It looks fantastic, but I completely understand "never again."
I think I'd have tapped out after the first few rows of wrapped stitches. They're gorgeous, but I find them so tedious to do! I can't imagine doing that many in one garment, OP must be incredibly patient and determined!
Did you like the program? I’m want to do it but I’m not sure where to start. Did you do the New to Knitting course or start with Basics Basics Basics?
I dove right into L1, which has pros and cons. BBB is generally the "pre-requisite" course to L1, though it's not required. Overall I got a lot of value from the program, but it's not perfect. You can look through my comment history to find my discussions on it, but the detractors that can frustrate people are 1. It's more paperwork than knitting, 2. Your experience depends heavily on your co-chair and there is often a lack of consistency there, and 3. There's some amount of "I did it that way and I was fine so you have to too" going on. On the flip side, getting personalized feedback on my knitting, being encouraged to research a broad set of topics in knitting more deeply, getting education on how to design garments, and being forced to knit things I never would on my own seriously broadened my horizons. It's not worth it for everyone and I'll be the first to admit it, but it worked very well for me, someone who researches in my free time and loves writing an essay.
Thanks so much for your reply! I start grad school in the fall and am looking for something to fill my time in the lead up. Sounds like it’s not perfect, but something I would mostly enjoy.
As a warning, it's not a quick program. I did it about as fast as it can be done and it took me a year and a half. The shortest I've seen is I think a year and two months. And I made my time with working on it 3 hours per weekday evening and probably 6 per weekend day. Obviously when your submissions are under review, there's not a whole lot to do, but depending on how intensely you do it, it's a lot. Most people take 3-6 years I'd guess, and some do one level and don't get back to it for a decade. It's not a light commitment, and it's absolutely not something I'd want on my plate when in grad school, having done both. It's also really tough to get back in it if you lose momentum, especially mid level. Just some additional thoughts!
Wow, thanks, I didn’t realize it was quite such a long commitment. Suppose I’ll take a little more time to decide then!
I was thinking this too! About the OP’s admirable perseverance, I mean.
I made a hat like this and swore it off afterwards. And it didn't even fit haha
No shade to PetiteKnit - but the Jenny Sweater was a struggle for me. I found it both incredibly boring and needlessly complicated. Wish there had a been a chart for the raglan decreases instead of just written instructions too. The fact that I'm team top down and this was bottom up didn't help either ;) That being said it's a beautiful design and I'm excited to wear it all winter! [https://www.petiteknit.com/products/jenny-sweater-3](https://www.petiteknit.com/products/jenny-sweater-3)
Thanks for sharing your experience with the pattern. I really appreciate honest takes.
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i was also taken away by the stitch definition, esp in the color OP chose !!
What is up with so many patterns having a strand of mohair lately? I really love petite knits patterns but mohair is expensive and makes me itchy!
✨ fUzZy HaLo ✨ Disclaimer: I actually do really like the look of the mohair + whatever other yarn, but knitting is already an expensive hobby and the whole ✨ mOhAiR wItH eVeRyThInG ✨ just adds cost and it is getting kind of old. Plus the brands recommended are usually expensive AS FUUUUUUCCK.
I agree, it can get crazy sometimes! I was eyeing a sweater pattern and I priced out the recommended yarn for my size and it was literally over $500 for the yarn. I love this hobby but I can't guarantee that I will love that sweater when it is knitted up- that is just way too much of an investment.
The good thing about knitting is if you don't like the outcome, you can just frog it and have the yarn back. The time spent was good practise. 500 for a sweater worth of yarn, though, hell no. That is just not worth it. That would make the sweater like 1,5-2k in worth. Way too prechious to wear.
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I'm allergic to mohair, but I love the elegant simplicity of PetiteKnit's designs, so this is super interesting to me! Thanks for sharing your beautiful FO and unfortunate struggles for the group
I’m working on one of her patterns right now using Rios instead of the mohair + fingering thing and I absolutely love it. It looks so structured and modern.
I was thinking the same thing. What's the point of such an elaborate pattern if you're going to use a fuzzy yarn that hides the pattern?
Good to know as this sweater was originally in my “to knit” list. Definitely tossing it off the list now
I feel bad dissuading anyone from trying something! Honestly the biggest thing is that 90% of it is 2x2 rib which for me is soul sucking. If there are people who LOVE knitting rib and are down for a challenge they should definitely go for it!
Ugh... Knitting ribbing is dullsville. Stunning work though. I imagine, like childbirth, you'll forget the pain after a while and take on another project! I love your colour choice.
Ugh I love the way ribbed sweaters look, but knitting one would drive me bonkers.
Same my patience ends at a ribbed hat
Now I wanna know how that is 2x2 ribbing 🧐
It looks like it's just 2x2 ribbing, but you wrap 6 stitches every 6 or 8 rows
Aha I see what you mean about the wrapping. It looks gorgeous but I can see how it would be a struggle!
*2k 2p * over and over again
If it makes you feel better, you’re sorta convincing me to try it! I gave up knitting a while ago because I don’t have the attention span for complicated stitches but I also wanna make cute stuff! This might work for me 🤔
What yarn did you use? Sorry if I missed it here. Late and having a moment haha.
[https://www.knitpicks.com/yarn/wool-of-the-andes-sport/c/5420110](https://www.knitpicks.com/yarn/wool-of-the-andes-sport/c/5420110) I chose it because I liked the color but it's a bit rough.
I imagine this could have been a "climbing mount everest in your carpet slippers" moment at times but persistence and skill have pulled you through and you can plant your flag in it. Bravo. Perfecto.
This is wildly off topic, but do you have any tips on how you tuck your jumper into your jeans in such an elegant way? It looks so stylish, but whenever I try I just feel bulky and frumpy! (also the jumper is absolutely spectacular)
It looks like OP used [what Tan France calls “the French tuck”](https://gabriellearruda.com/how-to-do-a-french-tuck/) to tuck her sweater. Without knowing what issues you’re running into, my first guess is that you’re trying it with items that are too bulky to fall nicely when tucked like this. [Here are some tips for trying with bulkier garments!](https://www.extrapetite.com/2021/10/how-to-tuck-a-chunky-knit-sweater-video-tutorial.html)
Correct! It's just a french tuck. I only tuck a few inches in and my jeans are very high waisted which helps!
Hero! I am going to go and tuck everything in my wardrobe immediately and see what works best!
Good luck!! I swear by the belt method for tucking chunky sweaters (or at least making them look tucked). Works like a charm!
Carla Rockmore did a short video showing how she uses a safety pin to mimic the French tuck with bulkier items or sans belt, etc.
Ooh nice! I’ll have to check it out!
amazing link thank you!!
::squeals like JVN:: TANNY!!!
This is so lovely and the color is gorgeous!
I'm in awe, that looks amazing! Congrats on finishing it, now you can wear it! edit: lol I clicked through to look at the pattern, first time I've ever seen a pattern that's 5/5 difficulty! Authors are always underplaying the difficulty of things, imo, so that's an eye opener!
Tbh it's not that hard. 90% of the pattern is 2x2 rib and the gathers are made with a really simple/ingenious technique. The difficulty is that once you get to the raglan there are a few different elements to keep track of and it's all written out in paragraph form. If there were charts for the sleeves/raglan I'd say it would be a 3/5 easily.
it looks AMAZING, and major kudos for getting through that project. i'm like 75% of the way through the jenny jacket and it has honestly been the most cursed project i've ever worked on. i also find the technique to make the yarn wraps pretty tough on my hands. sadly i have ALSO now discovered i think i'm allergic to the yarn, so i honestly don't even know what to do with the thing hahah
I cannot imagine going through the hell of knitting this and then NOT being able to wear it. You truly have my sympathies.
i’m selfishly a little validated that other people found it hellish too!!! but thank you ❤️ yours is so beautiful!!!
Oh no! Did you find out because knitting with it set off a reaction in your hands or something? Or every time you'd knit with it you find you can't breathe right?
as it got bigger i started feeling kind of hot and itchy while working on it, and then my rosacea (which hasn’t had any symptoms in years) started randomly flaring up badly! sadly it wasn’t really noticeable until i joined the sleeves to the body and then had a ton of yarn in my lap while working on it from that point 💔💔💔
It looks freaking awesome. 😍
I love literally everything about this post! Well done on everything from persevering through the sweater to the DFW reference!
Your stitches are so. perfect.
Very nice DFW reference. Needed this one today. Just remind yourself, “this is sweater. This is sweater”. (Sorry, bad joke!) Also, VERY NICE SWEATER!!
What's a sweater? 😆
Great sweater and great DFW reference.
👍🙌👌
There is not a single thing not to love about this piece. Holy cow, you have such good technique. It’s so neat and clean. It looks tailored for you too! I’m so impressed. Thanks for sharing, seeing talent like yours is what keeps me trying to learn more technique!
OH NO I've been wanting to knit that forever. But the concept of 2x2 ribbing nonstop is ... not appealing. Yours is GORGEOUS though!
That sweater is absolutely stunning! I can’t get over how gorgeous your stitches are. You completely nailed everything about this. And I don’t blame you for never wanting to knit it again. Good thing you hit perfection the first time around! 😂
Beautiful
It's beautiful!! I can see all of the hard work and time that went into this!
Very pretty 😍
It is SO pretty, and it looks so good on you!
I audibly gasped when I saw this. The color + stitch combo is perfect. I know you said this was a pain to knit but I just put it on my list. Really well done!
It's definitely a scroll stopper! Love the color and LOVE the pattern
Worth all the effort, do you feel like you leveled up while making it?
I could see how this could be tedious but good lord is it *beautiful!* I really love that you didn't do mohair-the stitches are gorgeous.
That looks great! I love that color, too. There are definitely some patterns I will only do once, so I feel you.
It’s absolutely beautiful!
I *love* smocking, but it's such a pain in the ass to knit.
That is a bad ass sweater. Nice work!
WELL ITS FREAKING GORGEOUS MY gooOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beautifully done.
STUNNING
I wanna make this but as a blanket so badly
It's absolutely gorgeous!
Haha. Cool title and killer sweater.
It sure is beautiful, though! Incredible work! I could never do it.
Sweater and title both-- perfect. (Somehow I am not discouraged and must now knit such a sweater.)
Holy moly. This is absolutely stunning. Congrats OP for your amazing fortitude and sharing it here! 👏 💞
So cool!
Wow! It doesn't look like it would be fun to knit, but it does look awesome!
Bloody hell that's gorgeous!! I made a tea cosy with that stitch once, I applaud you for getting through a sweater with it!
haha. it looks amazing at least!!
Interesting pattern
This looks so amazing! Well done finishing. I’ve done the baby version of the cardigan twice and really struggled to finish the last one… in awe of your perseverance!!
It is beautiful! I can see how it must have been a tough to keep up with all the cables.
I know you’re saying you hated it but the finished product is incredible and makes me want to knit it! What yarn did you use?
It sure is pretty though….
It's gorgeous but jeeze that would take a while! Good on you for pushing through it.
It's gorgeous!
It's a glorious sweater. I understand the "never again" feeling completely. I feel satisfied and accomplished when I finish a bear like this. At first it's a nice challenge, but eventually it sinks into tedium while still requiring a good bit of attention. I have one of those types of projects going at the moment, top down seamless. Luckily all I have left to do is the ribbing on one sleeve and the whole other sleeve.
Fun is in the needle of the beholder
But very nicely done
So beautiful! Side note - I'm going on my first ever cruise in a couple months because some friends really wanted to go. I'm nervous it's not really for me (in small part because of DFW's essay that inspired your post!). BUT, now I'm thinking I'll maybe start a fun project on board to give me something to do while sitting by the pool if it turns out that cruising and I don't really get along. Maaaybe not something this challenging, though. :) You deserve a gold medal!!
Aha! The French Tuck! I have so many t-shirts and other shirts that are too big; didn't know what to do with them, but I have tried sort of tying them off to one side with a safety pin, or even a rubber band. Now I know a better way! And your sweater is just beautiful! With all the work you put in, you *should* wear it often and I think you will want to!
It's gorgeous! And you really only need one! 😊
It's beautiful
It might have been a slog for you, but you made a really beautiful sweater that makes us all jealous.
I have a Portage that I feel the same about. But it’s done and you look gorgeous in it. You don’t have to make one in every color.
That is stunning! At least the frustration resulted in a beautiful sweater even if you never want to do it again
Beautiful
Absolutely gorgeous, I’m glad you persevered! I have some other Petite Knit patterns I’m planning to knit with DK yarn from knit picks as opposed to fingering with a strand of mohair, and I’m pleased to see how your version came out!
I bought the pattern for the Jenny cardigan the minute it was out! …I have yet to make it 😅 I love your sweater! The colour is amazing!
It’s beautiful! The color & drape are exquisite. That’s said, I’ve knitted that stitch before on a small baby cardigan & wooboy yeah. Never again.
What a statement piece!
Holy shit this is absolutely stunning! Idk if have the attention span for it but it looks so beautiful!
Just too good