FO - Tempting

I actually finished my Tempting a while ago, but I only just had a sunny afternoon and the inclination to photograph it.



As a sweater it's lovely... but I am not completely sure how I feel about it as a sweater on me.




Pattern: Tempting by Jenna Adorno, free pattern from Knitty Winter 2004
Size: L (40")
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, color 2710 Gray Heather, 2.2 skeins or approximately 726 yards
Needles: Knit Picks Options, size 8 (5.00mm) and Knit Picks 8" double-pointed needles, size 8 (5.00mm)
Notions: Offray 2-1/4" wide black grosgrain ribbon
Modifications: added a touch of length

Started: August 18, 2007
Finished: February 16, 2008



I actually finished knitting this way back in October 2007, but it took me several months to thread the ribbon, tie the bow and call it finished.

The construction was fantastically simple, though I did have some bones to pick with the way the arms are attached. Nothing major, but I keep wondering if there is a better way of doing it.

I'm tempted (heh) to stammer lots of things in my own defense, that this sweater looked a lot better on me a month ago, but let's just lay it out there.



It's a style I've never worn before, which was a lot of its appeal. Knitting is pretty fabulous for the opportunity to make a completely new-to-me silhouette and try out fashions which are custom-fit for me.

The trouble is, I actually think this came out a little big on me in some places, so rather than the ribbing clinging in a sexy, stretchy way, it kind of hangs in a baggy way. I didn't really have the right gauge with this yarn, so I needed more than the pattern called for to get the proper row gauge. The top then ended up a little long once the yarn stretched with the weight of hanging on the body. Live and learn.



Onto the positives. I love, love, love the neckline.



I cannot even begin to describe how many tries it took me to thread the ribbon in a way that it wouldn't curl (simple solution: fold it in half).



I also figured out the bow largely by trial and error, and I must humbly retract any statements I've ever made along the lines of "how hard can it be to tie a bow?" and "it's just like tying your shoes, but with ribbon!"



I do, admittedly, fuss with it a lot still when I'm wearing this top.

I really like the way the neck curves around the shoulders, and it's incredibly comfortable to wear. The yarn feels great against my skin and I hear it washes beautifully, which is encouraging.



With an improvement in my gym habits, I think this will easily become a favorite top. I wore it out to a party the day I finished it, and my friends were all very kind and enthusiastic. I wondered if I would have a use for a short-sleeved, open-neck sweater, but it turns out it's the perfect thing to wear to a crowded bar on a cold night. I suspect it will fare as well this spring and summer too.

Previous Entries on this Project:
- Notes from the pile
- Knitting is good company
- Tempt tempt tempt
- Unconscious Knitting
- A Tempting Tempting
- Moving Right Along