Kristen's Prudence Sweater

When I started working here, I fell in love with Kim Hargreaves' patterns for Rowan, especially those in the 'Thrown Together' and 'Amber' collections. I just love the vintage feel of her designs. After much debate, I settled on this lovely sweater-blouse called Prudence. After reading through the pattern, I realized how easy it would be to convert this pattern to top-down/bottom-up. I love any opportunity to simplify my knitting and knit anything with as little final construction as possible since my finishing skill aren't stellar, especially when it comes to seaming. Besides, I like the look and fit of a seamless garment. For anyone wanting to do this pattern in one piece as I am, I will post all of my final notes for converting it in my final post of this log. I cast on originally for a size large because my measurements matched up, but as I was switching from the size 3 needles to the size 5 needles--I'm using Crystal Palace Bamboo Circulars in the 35 inch length as called for in the pattern, I realized the size large was way too big on my hips--like 5 inches too big! It fell off my hips completely even though I checked my gauge and everything seemed ok. Now, I knew before I started that I was going to have to adjust this pattern as I am almost 6' tall and typically wear a size 12 in clothing, but I didn't realize that it would knit up this big. Anyway, I calculated the size difference and realized that I needed to knit a size small. If I knit it exactly as the pattern says, but in the round, the extra stitches that would have been for seam allowance should make it the right size. So far, so good! I tried it on and I think I am going to get the correct size that I need. I'm just going to have to add a lot of extra length now. I'm taking lots of notes so I will post my final modifications when I am finished. So far this yarn, the Rowan Bamboo Soft is a dream to work with and it is knitting up beautifully! I can't wait to wear this with a cute skirt and flats!

Prudence Update - I'm almost up to the armpits! Which means I am about to start on the sleeves. Hopefully I can get this completed by the end of summer...