September 29, 2006ShoozI have been spinning up a storm, and reading to prepare for sewing like there's no tomorrow. In part, this is because I'm loving my wheel and excited about the sewing machine, but I've also had each and every one of my WIPs, with the exception of the one I'm designing myself, turn around and bite me on the ass. To wit:  An approximately 36.5-inch-circumference on my piddly 32-inches-at-most-breasts. It ain't happening. Previously, there was a problem with the triangle-shaping in this pattern. Here's the correction on IK. If you don't already, it is a really good idea to check IK's corrections page before starting a project. I knew about this issue, so it isn't what got me. The problem I discovered, is that the finished measurements and the schematic appear to be off. They might have been calculated using Stst (though this doesn't work out mathematically either) or a different lace gauge than I got (more likely). Unfortunately, it makes a huge difference in the finished garnment. In the smallest size, the waist and bust have a finished measurement of 33" in the pattern. On my tunic, the lace panel, which is 28 sts wide, measures 6 inches blocked (not the photo below, but a swatch that I have since ripped). So, if you do a little math, ((102 sts - 28 sts) / 6.5 sts/inch)) + 6 inches = 17.38". The schematic shows this as 16.25". Then there's the front, which has two 28 st lace panels, so ((102 sts - 56 sts) / 6.5 sts/inch)) + 12 inches = 19.07". The schematic shows this as 16.75". The total circumference would be 36.45" instead of the 33" as shown in the finished measurements of the pattern. Which might explain why the blogger it looks best on (blue garter, see below) has rather enviable womanly curves. 
The lace, which is 28 sts over 6 inches of fabric.Now, it is possible that somehow my lace gauge is way off, but if it were, I would have no way of knowing that, because it isn't included in the pattern. But my Stst is dead on, so I'd be surprised if the lace gauge was this far off. If you've made it, what was your lace gauge? I haven't alerted IK to the problem, but if someone else had similar lace gauge issues, I will. I did some searching around on the net and found these bloggers who had finished the Prairie Tunic. Their comments give me some pause, but I like the pattern, so I think I will simply revise it for my lace gauge to get a closer fit, and consider adding a bit of waist shaping. I think Veronik Avery has a wonderful sense of style and I don't mind putting in some time to make it work for me. For this year, however, it's going to get put away so that I can make room for the short LA "winter" knitting season. The upside of this experience was an intro to some great new (to me) blogs. The only person whose site I had visited before was Emily's. Check these out. There are some great pattern notes and photos. I love Blue Garter's Tunic, and Get in My Head's dress (in the same post) is gorgeous. Oh, and if you people don't blogsearch a pattern before you make it, you might want to start - I'm going to! Frith's comment on Emily's blog Amandamonkey's post on the Prairie Tunic and her FO shots (love it with the wife-beater) Drago[knit]-fly's FO shots and notes Blue Garter's FO shots and notes (evidence that breasts do well in this cami - did she shorten it, too? think so!). Knits and Pieces' FO shots and notes The Knitting Dork's FO shots and notes FO shots on a Japanese site I wish I could read Get in My Head's awesome dress! and Prairie Tunic In main | prairie tunic | shooz (the knittin' kind)
Comments
I'm wondering about another WIP, the Daktari skirt--I see you have placed it "on hold." I started this myself but am planning to knit it in the round after doing the lace portion. Just wondering what if any problems you may have encountered. Mine is on hold until spring due to autumn weather in CT! I will let keep you posted if I encounter any problems/tips worth sharing. Posted by: Nan at October 11, 2006 08:23 AMI rarely wear my tunic these days. I think I'm going to use my sewing skills to add some shaping to it. Despite the photos in IK, I think it would look better on someone who has more curves than I. &Thanks for the shout-out... my experience with the tunic was a bit crushing. i consider myself an intermediate on the knitting expertise scale. the patterns make sense, i observe gauge and measure the pieces, but i do very little when i notice that things are not going in the direction planned. i think that is why i so regularly read your blog. you have that unflinching approach to knitting, and because of it your pieces turn out beautifully fitted, shaped, realized. there is much to learn from you. obviously my tunic does not fit, not in a flattering manner, that it. lesson learned. for now i have tucked it away, possibly for that time when i either gain a considerable amount of weight or increase in girth secondary to planned child bearing. Posted by: mames at October 1, 2006 12:37 PMFrustrating. This is why I tend to knit my own designs. I don't have to match anyone else's gauge and I have only myself to blame if things go awry. Must be the control freak in me. ;) Either way, I know that if she doesn't go in permenant time out, she'll be gorgeous on you. Posted by: Marnie at October 1, 2006 09:26 AMThis post is so perfectly timed! My knitting friend made Prairie Tunic as her first knitted garment and it has been languishing, unseamed, because she is so disappointed in the fit. She's actually on her way over to get my help in sewing it together (sounds like a job for Super Serger!). Your post will make her feel much better! Posted by: Jennie at October 1, 2006 07:34 AMYou got to about the same spot I got when I decided to cut bait on the Prairie Tunic. For a second there reading your post, I regretted my decision. Then I thought a bit more and decided no... no I didnt... Looking at the FO shots, I don't think it's just you. It really seems as though either everyone is off, or the pattern is. Still it's a gorgeous tank, dangerous curves or not :) Posted by: Amy Boogie at September 30, 2006 07:11 AMWhen my mom comes back from Japan (in a couple weeks) I'll have her take a look at that site in Japanese for a translation. Cheers! Posted by: Sachi at September 29, 2006 08:51 PMI am doing the Prairie Tunic too and like you, it's huge on me. And I started it right when the spring issue came out, so I didn't know about the errata. I'm doing it with Artfibers Hana and the fabric the yarn makes is gorgeous, but you're right, there is definitely something weird going on with the gauge of the lace part... It looks like this top has a loose fit on Get in My Head. Posted by: kat at September 29, 2006 04:13 PMThe lace, the colour, the everything... it's gorgeous! Posted by: Tiffany at September 29, 2006 01:54 PMWow. I will totally start doing web searches now. The FO pictures you link to give a *completely* different impression of the garment! Posted by: Amy at September 29, 2006 01:17 PMI made the small and I didn't have any problems with gauge. Mine fits my 34" chest ok. But it really needs some waist shaping. I don't really think it is very flattering in the middle. But everytime I wear it, no one can believe that I made it. And it is a very quick knit. I don't know if this helps any though. Posted by: britt at September 29, 2006 11:09 AMJulia, Looks like you've got your work cut out for you. Having just spent two summer months tweaking a tank pattern unsuccessfully, just reading about what you have to do brings back the sting of defeat. Looking at all the links, it seems like you're not alone, but I do have the utmost confidence in your math and knitting skills, that if anyone can beat this pattern into submission, it's you!:-) Posted by: Leslie at September 29, 2006 09:59 AM |