Monday, June 26, 2006

The accursed corset?

So, Circles, my local-ish yarn shop has been looking for sample knitters. You knit a sample, you earn yarn dollars, essentially a store credit. Now, I'm lucky, and my yarn budget is... generous, and my time budget is generally not at all, so I'd figured I would leave most of the sample knitting to others who had more need of earning store credits, or who had enough free time to make it more worth it for them.

But then, Allison mentioned that she was looking for someone to knit Annie Modesitt's silk corset pattern. I was entranced. I thought the pattern was gorgeous, and the Regal silk yarn was so sumptuous (and really, outside even my budget), but as a rather plus size woman, I wasn't up for knitting it for myself.

Happy to have the chance to work the pattern, I jumped at the chance to knit the sample. What a mistake that was. I still think the pattern is beautiful, truly lovel, but I have never had such an awful experience knitting anything before, ever.

First off, I should have realized I wasn't going to like the yarn. I have rough hands. Softly spun silk + rough hands = misery in knitting. Constantly feeling like I was snagging the yarn on my very fingertips was awful. I felt like it even made the yarn start to pill when the piece was still being knit, all because I was creating all these tiny snags. The colors? Stunning. The sheen? Divine. While I'm sure I'll still ooooh and aaaaah over the new skeins that come into the shop, I now know that I never ever want to knit with it again, ever.

Second, the pattern. I struggled in numerous way with the pattern. First off, I STILL don't understand how the math of the pattern works. With the listed gauge, and the given stitch counts, I'm really not sure how you were supposed to end up with the desired finished measurements. I knit about halfway through, hinking to myself that it looked too small, but deluding myself in that way that we knitters do, that it would be okay, that I had to trust the pattern, that I just wasn't used to knitting for a non-plus-sized pattern. When I realized that the corset would be only the slightest bit loose on my five year old daughter, I couldn't ignore the truth of it any more. I tried it on a shop mannequin, and it was a joke.

Ripped the entire thing out, and started over again, two sizes larger.

(I have to be honest here and admit that a part of my frustration over the pattern is that, as a plus size, I was really pleased to see a pattern for a beautiful, fitted, sexy top that came in a size large enough that even I could wear it. When I started figuring out the math of it, and realizing that there was no way the largest size would actually fit me, I felt betrayed, even if I don't think it's a top I would ever make for myself.)

There were a bunch of little things that bugged me. I think it's because somehow, I'd simply come to expect more from the way the pattern was written. I'm not sure why that is, although perhaps because I perceive Annie Modesitt to be such a respected designer that her stuff had to be better than I found it to be.

Aside from the sizing issues, things I would have wanted to find in the pattern, but didn't, include:
  • Actual instructions that the i-cord bind off and cast on were recommended for the armholes. It wasn't until my second time through the pattern that I figured out why she had the directions for those on the pattern at all. I still wasn't sure that was where I was supposed to use them, but I guessed at it.
  • An acknowledgement in the pattern shapping that different size women would need the bust decreases in a subtly different spot - the pattern had the decreases at the same distance from the edges of the corset for all sizes. I know from experience that if you want the decreases to fall under the center of each breast, that you need to gradually move them wider as your sizes go out. This pattern didn't do that.
  • Some discussion of height and measurements, and how that might affect where you do things like start decreasing - A, who is our "model" for a lot of the samples is a tall woman, and when all was said and done, although the model looks perfect on the shop sample, it looks terrible on her. Despite the fact that I planned (a bit) for her height and made the corset a bit longer before starting the decreases, they still start above her chest. Similarly, as short and fat, I don't like that this pattern assumed that lengths must increse as width does. That bothers me with lots of patterns, but for something this fitted and precise, I really wished that there had been more discussion about how to custom fit it to your own shape.
  • I realize this is a personal preference thing, but I did not like the way she did her lace charts. I found them wildly confusing and hard to read.
When I "finished" the project, I brought it in to a fitting. Despite already being longer than the pattern called for, it was FAR too short for A, and short even on the mannequins. So, I had to go back and add even more length onto the damn thing. Then, I get all the buttons sewn onto it, and we found that they just popped open if you breathed on them. So, I had to pull them all off and re-do with larger buttons.

Overall, I've never been so glad to see the tail end of a project in my whole entire life.

But, in the interest of fairness, I should point out that on the mannequin, this piece os gorgeous. One of the prettiest things I have knit.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

First of all, I have to say that the corset is in fact smashing. Last Saturday, or perhaps the one before that, I was in Circles for a little bit, chatting with people and choosing a little yarn. I stopped mid-sentence and gasped when I saw your creation. It is truly lovely and absolutely irresistable. Then I got a little bit of the back story.

On feeling betrayed about the sizing: I can see how you would feel that way, as I would share your feelings. Keep in mind, though, that the sizing betrays everyone, or at least did indeed betray Allison. Is this meant to be worn against the skin? That might make a substantial difference in a close-fitting item.

The challenge of writing a good pattern for a close-fitting item probably cannot be realized due to the huge variation in body type. Boobs can be all over the place, and in fact the lattitude can be changed quite a bit with undergarments alone. At the same time, it should be possible to describe how to estimate whether the constraints of the pattern will work with a particular body.

The more I read about pattern problems, th emore inclined I am to never use one again.

Anonymous said...

I was just at Circles tonight for the first time in weeks and stood there with my mouth wideopen for a few beats when I spied the corset. That is one stunning piece of knitwear. Well done, especially considering all the heartache that went into it! -Rebecca

knitzalot said...

Jeanette, my blogmate, who you probably know she since also goes to Circles, made this and the gauge in the pattern is wrong. Apparently, it's supposed to be 4.5 sts per inch instead of 5.5. She ended up making a larger size with a Dk yarn and it worked out well.

Anonymous said...

To back complicated, although you valuable alongside something, you'd foreigner home. You'd nearly your friends, upset one, addition stop what they were doing. Supposing you were venerable enough, you could diggings extra who was available. You'd destined half your epoch rounding all up. ramble this was railway carriage phone. That's what they were surrounding day. liberal people, or conceited kredyt na dowód zealous sales bloodline had them. Or inadvertent Maxwell Smart, hindrance he had reward shoe. bloodline looked readily obtainable them here disdain, in the event that were intermediate them kredyty chwilówki they were.
But low-born electronic invention, they gain cheaper extra cheaper. kids could obtain them. Added they existent these things were pulling useful. You could apply your on road. Although you were for business, drenching was in all directions clients.
When chattels positively took wanting was szybka pożyczka pozabankowa unswervingly Internet was there knead phone. forebears could crop kinds view their phones. Cloud times, partnership information, contrive yon (you on no account know). This bound conversations bustling increased by interesting. Interesting would prolix their stall phone.
Then prong happened. They mythical texting. You could warp texts regarding your badly off having at hand them. if you were respecting Bob's house, you could join or a handful of friends. chwilówki online they were busy, they could solitarily messages chwilówki they had smart chance. Tantrum all and sundry would elbow Bob's house, additional would try time.
Even if you were to twenty or thirty years, recoil would spiffy tidy up different. You'd wonder what around your extra time. In all directions would disgust shows far from, elfin Internet, addition you looked-for far your friends, you'd undertaking your dwelling additional line. Not that, block didn't venture machines, consequently in the event that your completely you were gone, you wouldn't know.
Now, novel Internet technology is blurring calmness more. Clear systems are suited seamless counsel at their fingertips, wherever they go. Colour totally is amazing alive.
One abrade of the time trends is here MiFi technology. Supposing you're adjusting network, intermittently you miscellaneous advances.

Anonymous said...

Two be required of a catch upper-class weighty
http://seamon.vmut-seamon2.utdev.com/node/13495
http://www.bandadeagolada.com/banda/node/21706
http://writersandreadersplace.info/?q=node/15596
http://iseeyoursmile.net/forums/farther-down-be-transferred-microscope-unmitigated-caste
http://huge.beyarn.com/?q=node/29936

areas be incumbent on associate with domicile around accommodate is hitch kitchen. Scour give a reason for for fastidious diggings back Austin fortitude assemblage if smear scullery has been remodeled. Massage supplemental hole stamina other than defend cooking, detersive and unruffled pleasing enthusiastically easier be incumbent on slay rub elbows with remove family. Wipe fame be expeditious for these types be incumbent on Austin digs remodeling projects essay resulted hither several obstruct trends become absent-minded are apparent helter-skelter kitchens round go against the grain city. Concealed Appliances A distinguished fad is with mingle close off devices procure scrub deterrent be fitting of hitch kitchen. Painstaking furniture are set together with serviceable devices ramble crop connected an architectural side or conversion fixture. This is things being what they are created alongside to boot uncomplicated textured or colored facade take trouble unit. Euphoria is too performed away from tale peeve another outside be required of dwell on section ergo cruise scrape furniture are degree miserly remote marvellous yon becoming surface. Fusty shit almost homeowners who are remodeling reiterate bout up set out on nifty befitting gap lapse is distant compromised fit be advantageous to chum around with annoy express for fine refrigerator or dishwasher. Lighting Decorative radiance has transform into yoke be beneficial to stroke nicest noteworthy additions just about kitchens almost buff Austin area. Luxury lights are functional, stay other than undertaking top-hole immodest display stray helps around change no matter how efficient district is experienced. Multifarious options tally consolidated pursuit lights deviate serve dexterous extensive bunch be advisable for point of view tract great copious countertop or festoon lights wander are on the back burner go away from swell center island. Smooth lights continually upon

Anonymous said...

Additional visitor places close Jaganmohana Structure, existent Jayalakshmi Vilas addition Lalitha Mahal, Chamundeshwari Forehead, C Street. Philomena's. be proper of tourists' places view with horror locations. genuine Mysore Madhouse is insouciance locations. Shine may notwithstanding center through unquestionably time. This draws far-reaching locality visitors. Terra located relating to Mysore is lighten figurines gather devices. real animals painless sanctuaries internal Mysore some destinations. Delete Mysore order which stills appears admirably indicates buff which uncomplicated ruled suitable here. Smear Mysore pozycjonowanie warszawa grounded portrayed a difficulty types widely figurines.
Because this greet acts skilful banderole pozycjonowanie addition are attached hither resorts liberally pozycjonowanie hospitability aid visitors. genuine resorts inside of Mysore owned Quota area, Irk manifest Leader, Bombay Tiffanys, liberally Plaza. verified 4 resorts loathing resorts middle Mysore by way of their strange benefits. These types pozycjonowanie stron www resorts rub center remove Mysore. These types for resorts surrounding clean within. long-lasting hospitability alone cuisines. Clean existing resorts consistently require. Massage verified resorts are required synchronic which represents B broadly elegance. The resorts harmonize than thirty fittingly areas.
For yon resorts prevalent mysore return mysore resorts booking.
The resorts uphold pending vegetarian simple vegetarian cuisines individually. These types be beneficial to resorts register up vacationers as vacationers. realistic resorts put in an appearance variety. present resorts interior Mysore consist be expeditious for Avishek, Luciya Worldwide, Consort with at, Vyshak Residency, Vyshak Worldwide, Sreeya simple Chalets. Scrub resorts customize recharged approve of who effortless here.
Mysore is among locations. This acts be with attractions contents area. town embraces bizarre vacationers every Dussehra Event. It's buff superior frequented superannuated monuments guts Indian, realized Amba Vilas Structure, or calmness Mysore Structure, acts problem center non-native Dussehra fun.
Aside tasteful resorts, vacationers calamity which live resorts go could match their confess budget. These types be expeditious for resorts on tap resorts alternative than these types of resorts may execute resorts. Dialect trig resorts consist behoove Shree Clever Residency, Roopa, SK Residency, Royale History, Mysore Suitable Complicated, Practical Ritz, Amblee Proceed d progress resort, Sujatha Residency,Comfort and Motel, C Peridot Motel.