(Read carefully! You WILL be tested.)
Okay, these are the things I learned from this project:
1. I have big, heavy boobs that need to be lifted by either a) a crane, b) a forklift, or c) a better, newer, steel re-inforced bra.
2. These aforementioned boobs fuck up everything when it comes to clothes. Unless you have the kind that are filled to the rim with silicone, they just don’t look good in clothes. Maybe if you’re wearing the also aforementioned steel re-inforced boob cage.
3. I need to learn shaping. The always enchanting Juno discussed this big boob problem not too long ago and I’m going to take heed if I ever (which I will) knit something for myself again – make that if I knit a pullover type thing for myself again.
4. I wouldn’t have this problem with a freaking cardigan.
5. I now know that I can put together my own pattern and make adjustments as I go along and everything will come out right. The thing is, even though the vest isn’t the most flattering article of clothing I’ve ever worn, IT CAME OUT EXACTLY AS I’D IMAGINED IT! That, in and of itself, I count as a major, major accomplishment. Don’t get me wrong – I’ll wear it. I’m wearing it right now as a matter of fact, but I will feel fat in it. I just will.
[Big, huge, bigger than huge thanks go out to Ms. Budd and those fine folks over at the Harmony Guides – couldn’t have done it without you!]
6. I should’ve made the shoulders shorter. I panicked when I made the back because the collar seemed so small, but the neckband fixes that. I should’ve bound off a couple more stitches and the shoulders would be perfect.
[Add to this what I learned yesterday – NO STAIR STEP BIND OFFS! Got it? Good.]
7. I should’ve made it about an inch smaller around the body. I feared, as I was knitting, that it would be too big, and it is. Not as big as I thought it might be, but just a tad too big. It makes me look like I have a roll of fat around the middle. Remember what Righetti says! Knits STRETCH! You CAN go smaller than you think!
8. I don’t like taking pictures of myself. It’s hard. Especially since I’m used to having some control over the photograph I get. I don’t like tripods. I don’t like timers. but here are the pictures anyway:
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See the pseudo roll of fat in the picture with the pink shirt? I can assure you this is all sweater. Sure, I need to lose anywhere between 15 and 20 lbs., but please take into consideration the gigantour boobs. They make you look fat! Besides, I’m PMS. And I am still quite nicely within the CDC guidelines for obesity thank you very much. Isn’t my neck lovely? It’s one of my favorite parts of my body. |
9. The Manos is nice. I might knit with it again. The vest took about 4 1/2 skeins. Probably a little less.
10. I can’t wait to get started on my next design! It’s going to be a sweater for my father!
Okay! Next up…socks! We’re going to Key Biscayne for a long weekend and my goal is to figure out my new camera and come home with a pair of socks! Oh and finish The Plot Against America. Wish me luck!
You are so hard on yourself! The vest looks great on you~ very flattering. 🙂 I especially like it with the white shirt. The cable on the front of the vest is just gorgeous.
You plan on knitting an entire pair of socks in a weekend? I am gathering that this is not a “romantic getaway” then, cuz you’ll be knitting non-stop. 😉
You should try the shapely tank. It’s a free pattern. It uses short rows for bust darts. It’s a relatively straight forward knit that taught me a lot of interesting things about shaping! Here’s the link to my entry: http://thebookishgirl.blogspot.com/2004/10/shape-shapely.html
My, my….you ARE to hard on yourself. It looks pretty good. We all learn from our knitting as we go. You can still wear it and enjoy it even though it isn’t ‘perfect’. Enjoy your socks and reading.
Gorgeous sweater! I think it’s much more flattering than you give it credit.
As for the big boobs, I have the same issue. I’m also *blessed* with being a runt (5’3″ in a healthy heeled pair of shoes). Even in a steel “boulder holder” if I’m not wearing something FITTED which I tend to avoid my “curves” blend so I just look frumpy. So for me it’s either frumpy or less than flattering (to me) tight (to me) clothes. One day, I pray, the fashion industry will catch on.
I just got The Plot Against America, can’t wait to dive in!!!
🙂
I completely understand: I think it looks great, but that won’t make a difference to how you *feel*.
What you need is Oprah’s Bra.
My friend H has similar boob issues and she bought one of the Le Mystere bras that Oprah talked up and I have to say – it is shape trasformative. Google it!
Cara – I have the same problem with clothes. I have a petite frame but am in need of “a better, newer, steel re-inforced bra”. (This had me LMAO) Not always a good combo when searching for nice looking clothes. I think, though, that your vest looks beautiful. Have a nice vacation!
You know, before I got to the pictures with you in the vest, I was all ready to give you hell for not taking pictures of you in the vest.
Now I’m going to give you hell for complaining about the vest. It’s gorgeous. Stop whining.
Shaping is easy (for next time): first you increase, then you decrease (or vice versa).
LOL! I agree about checking out the Shapely Tank for a quick lesson on short row darts. Also, Lily Chin wrote an article about that which *I think* I have lying around if you’re interested. As for the “roll” (girl, be thankful it’s sweater, not flesh), you might want to create a handsewn dart of sorts at the sides. Normally I would do that right under each breast but that might throw off your cable.
Stop it! The vest is great! I love the cables. The length is really good on you and it looks good on you.
Wait, are there now TWO Cara’s? There’s Cara Cara and Cara Commenter? Oh my aching head. I think it looks gr8! Don’t be so frickin’ hard on yourself. Stair step bind-offs are an absolute no-no-NOOOOOO. I hate them, too. Either short row or three needle bind off for me. Have fun this weekend! Take the new vest for a swim. 🙂
It really does look great, Cara. Just so’s you know, it ain’t no fun having no boobs, either. If you’re feeling brave, you might want to try a little nip & tuck at that waistline a la Bonne Marie: http://www.chicknits.com/ttdownsizing.shtml
Cara, Just a wonderful job! A vest is my next up and I invisioned wearing it just as you are with the shirt tails out. Learned alot from your post and will refer back often when I do mine! Enjoy! 🙂
p.s. your neck is lovely, you made me laugh.
I’m a small-chested lady myself (my issues are in finding things that are long enough for my torso and arms, while still retaining some kind of feminine shape). I think Juno was right when she said that it’s about how you feel.
One way or the other I think the vest is just beautiful! It turned out really well.
I completely understand the big boob issue……..I wear a lot of cardigans..LOL! I will have to check out the shaping links too. Truly though, it is a lovely vest and looks really nice with the white shirt.
Yeah… boobs… I have that problem too. Too big, and they always mess up the fit of my clothes–however, I think that School Daze looks smashing, and the cable up the front is great. Instead of being so hard on yourself, you should be giving yourself a pat on the back!
Have a great mini-vacation, and best of luck with the socks 🙂
Gorgeous vest! I love it!!
wonderful vest. it looks fantastic and you wear it beautifully!
Lovely, lovely, lovely. How beautifully the cable grew from the tiny bit I saw you start at the DMV.
Have fun on vacation. I’ll take pics of the snowfall here for you if it’s as beautiful as the forcast portends.
It looks fantastic! I understand about the boobs. I had issues with mine until I went to Nordstrom’s and got new bras. They have a lady that actually comes into the fitting room and MEASURES you and gets you a properly fitted bra. I snickered at the time, but it makes a big difference!
The vest is really lovely. I love the color and the cable. Simple, but not. I think the fit looks great too.
I think your vest is gorgeous! And it looks great on you!
I always thought I had a boob problem too, until I had my son and started nursing. I went up *5* cup sizes. Yup, didja know they came in size “I”? A third of the alphabet to my size…
Anyway, when I went looking for “support” I found they make a nursing bra called “The Suspension Bridge”. It was literally a little re-enforced shelf that you pulled out keep the girls on their feet, so to speak…
Cara, I don’t know whether to start by complimenting your neck or your sweater! Your neck is indeed lovely, your sweater is stunning and like everyone else said, you are way to hard on yourself! While I am obviously not at all glad that you have boob issues I am somewhat relieved to no longer feel alone in making public complaints about the adverse effect of my boob/bra issues on my otherwise happy knitting experience!
Gorgeous vest. And very funny post. I tend to be a bit hard on myself too so I can appreciate your “honesty” but it really looks fab.
Cara, that vest is absolutely beautiful! I’ve been in a vest mood lately…
Beautiful photography, too. I liked your KSH and needles shots.