01.02.08
Finished Object: Henley Perfected
Unless you’re going to to hold me to a technicality concerning the buying and sewing on of buttons, on New Year’s Eve I finished one last sweater for the Year of Sweaters!
Pattern: Henley Perfected, from the winter 2007 issue of Interweave Knits, smallest size.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, somewhere between 8 and 9 balls, I’m guessing.
Needles: Size 3 Addi Turbos and size 4 Knitpicks Options
Began: November 11, 2007
Finished: December 31, 2007
Notes: Okay, here’s the thing. I have some notes, but not many. What I do have many of is photos. This sweater loves the camera. (Or perhaps more accurately, I love this sweater and, apparently, taking pictures of myself.) So I have three choices: 1) limit the number of photos so it’s commensurate with the amount of text I have, 2) make the post very photo-heavy because I can’t choose, or 3) put up lots of photos but generate virtually content-less text just to fill up space and make it look balanced. Longtime readers of my blog know that I am a fervent adherent of option three. As a New Year’s resolution, however, I am going to attempt to limit pointless prattle and just stick with the essentials. At the end of the post we can review how I did.
I know I say this after every project, but this is my favorite sweater I’ve ever made. I loved the pattern the instant I laid eyes on it. (Oddly, that’s not always the reason I’ve chosen patterns in the past. For example, although I loved knitting the Cable-Down Raglan, it’s not the sort of thing I would ever pick out at the store. It just happened to call for the right amount of the right weight of yarn and offer some of the knitting elements I happened to be in the mood for (cables and no seaming).) Not so with the Henley Perfected. I did not simply want to knit this sweater; I wanted to have this sweater.
When I realized that I could reclaim the yarn from my rejected Gatsby Girl Pullover, there was nothing to stop me from casting on almost immediately. Incidentally, therein lay one of the few frustrations in an otherwise smooth-sailing project. I frogged the half-finished Gatsby Girl, carefully skeined and washed the yarn to remove the kinks, hung it to dry, and wound it into balls. That was all it took for it to start fraying in several places. Any time I had to reknit a portion of the Henley Perfected, I threw away the yarn I’d frogged because I didn’t think it would hold up well to another round of knitting. Fortunately I had enough yarn to do that, but it does make me worried about the long-term durability of this sweater. I’m afraid this one is also destined for a vacuum-sealed bag in a climate controlled, air-tight chamber. Appealing though it may be in many ways, I think I may have used DB Cashmerino for the last time.
Other than that, I had few problems. The pattern was very clearly written and I can’t think of any changes I made at all. My only general criticisms of the finished garment are that the sleeves are a little too short and the bust is a little too tight (I usually go for a decent amount of negative ease because handknits stretch so much over time and I’d rather they not be baggy, but I forgot that with buttons running down the front, a too-tight fit can create the impression that the wearer is about to bust out, if you know what I mean. I don’t think the effect is scandalously extreme here, but an extra inch of circumference probably would have been better.)
The buttons, by the way, are from JoAnn Fabrics, which I must say continues to impress me with its button selection. (Support your local small businesses everyone! Do not do as I do!)
Finally, the one complaint I have about the actual pattern itself is that the stockinette button bands, unsurprisingly, have a pretty serious curling tendency. I appalled the knitting gods by spraying them with starch and ironing them through a pillowcase, which helped a lot, but I think someone more ambitious than I could probably come up with a pattern edit that eliminated the problem at the source. Although do you think it’s just cognitive dissonance if I say that the curling is kind of growing on me?
(This photo, by the way, is in black and white because the color cast was crappy. This violates my strict belief that bad photos cannot be made into good or artsy photos just by turning them black and white; in fact, the lack of contrast here makes this a pretty lousy black and white photo, too. For some reason I like the composition, though (plus I had some fun playing with the Picnik editing tools in Flickr — oops, too much vingetting), so here it is anyway, along with an earful of my opinions on photo editing.)
Ladies and gentlemen, thus endeth my year of thweaters. It was neither an abysmal failure nor a resounding success. You’d think that I might have learned a lesson about the hazards of year-long knitting themes, but I’m already weighing my options for 2008. My year-in-review and year-ahead post is forthcoming. That’s right, you can hardly wait.
–
Let’s see, how did I do with not prattling on vacuously just to fill space? Well, I’ve certainly posted much longer things than this in the past. On the other hand, you probably didn’t need all that nonsense about my opinions on black and white photos. Or even really any of this nonsense about my pratting tendencies (ooh, meta prattle!). All in all, I’d say I merit nothing better than a C-minus on my short-lived resolution.
Claire said,
January 2, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Awesome sweater…but it is only 5:24 here in NY. Do you post from the middle of the ocean?!?!?
Jodi said,
January 2, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Marvelous sweater, great photos! It looks like the DB Cashmerino knit up beautifully, and the machine washability is such a plus.
What advice would you give about the button band? Work it in ribbing?
Nonnahs said,
January 2, 2008 at 5:39 pm
This is truly lovely (curling button bands and all ;) )and it looks great on you . Happy New Year!
Bertha said,
January 2, 2008 at 5:49 pm
God, this looks amazing on you. Beautifully done!
Sparkles said,
January 2, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Oh. So. Beautiful. Funny thing? Until I saw yours I didn’t want to knit it! Now it’s in my Ravelry queue…who knows when I’ll get to it, but I liked it enough to queue it. :)
And now that you’ve given a few helpful hints, it will be that much easier!
knitography said,
January 2, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Dammit! I thought I had my next sweater project all picked out, but now that I have seen your beautiful Henley, I have project confusion! And sweater envy! You did a great job, and the sweater looks fantastic.
Zarah said,
January 2, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Prattle or no, the sweater is beautiful! I don’t mind the curling button band either, but I might if I were buying the sweater in the store. Oh well – you “made it work” as Tim Gunn would say. Happy New Years!
Shar said,
January 2, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Oh, I love it. Your photo of the cable down reglan inspired me to add it to my queue.
AC said,
January 2, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I like how the last sweater you make is always your favorite.
Carole said,
January 2, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I think it looks wonderful! The color is very nice for you and the fit is perfectly flattering.
Theresa said,
January 2, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Looks fabulous. Do you think it would look as good on someone not as slim as you (appropriately sized, of course)? – I’ve been wondering about the proportions.
As for the st st bands, I think the curling is part of the henley look – casual. I like it.
Lesley said,
January 2, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Wow – I literally gasped when I looked through your photos. Now I want to knit this when I had not even looked twice at it! IK should ask you to model a sweater in their next issue!
Laura said,
January 2, 2008 at 6:32 pm
This is one of those strange cases of me liking a sweater (or other knit object) only after seeing it knit by someone else. The magazine photo didn’t do anything for me. I skipped over it as quickly as I’d skip over a felted bag. But yours is making me look twice at the pattern. Perhaps it’s your close-ups of the lace pattern (beautiful!). Or maybe it’s because you made yours pink.
There are many people who need to read your comments on negative ease and buttons. I’m not sure who started this “let’s make everything with negative ease” trend, but I think it needs to stop. Yes some sweaters look better with negative ease. But some sweaters look better with even or positive ease. There I said it. Call me a heretic.
Lovely knitting as usual. I’m awaiting your next post with baited breath.
Owl said,
January 2, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I already said it on flickr.. but I just simply love love love this sweater and I think you’ve done a wonderful job!! A M A Z I N G!!!
Owl
Heather said,
January 2, 2008 at 6:42 pm
C-, are you kidding? The lack of filler and your ability to stay on topic merit nothing less than a B+! And the sweater is an A for sure, it looks so chic and simple and delicate. Really lovely! And I would also note that it highlights a certain feature very well, but I don’t want you to start thinking I have odd fixation…
Kristen said,
January 2, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Another rousing sweater success! You have done a lovely job with the Henley.
emilie said,
January 2, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Happy New Year, Rache!
The sweater is beautiful, both in pattern and the color. And your imagery is superb- no complaints here! I especially like the middle photo of your bottom trio- you look like you’ve been yanked right from a J Crew catalog!
Inspired by you, I have signed my mother and I up for a knitting class next Saturday- she’s redeeming the “gift of time” Christmas present pretty quickly!
How were your holidays? Do anything fun to ring in ‘08? Can you believe we’ll be 30 soon? I can’t. And actually, I’m having a hard time accepting it already. Did you hear that Jennie Fuller is pregnant?
Too much personal stuff on this comment.. I’ll send you an email!
Hugs!
connie said,
January 2, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Rachel, I *love* your sweater! I’m so glad you like the finished product despite the problems you had with it. I’ll keep in mind your criticism about the sleeve length. I’m petite and I tend to design things for me, but I need to remember that other people aren’t as short as I am ;) Thanks for the detailed and photo heavy post.
jillian said,
January 2, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Wow, that’s beautiful. You wear it well!
Angelika said,
January 2, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I love that sweater. It turned out so nice and looks great on you. Compliments to the designer. This is an ispiration for sure.
Kelly said,
January 2, 2008 at 7:16 pm
another beautiful sweater!! It looks fantastic on you! Immediately added to queue :)
Jenni said,
January 2, 2008 at 8:02 pm
This is so cute! I doubt it would look as good on me since I’m a more “fluffy” girl, but maybe I’ll knit it for my skinny little sister! Nice job it looks great on you and I love the color!
Allegra said,
January 2, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Gorgeous!
Clumsy Knitter said,
January 2, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Add me to the list of people who didn’t want to knit this until I saw yours. Nice!
Julie said,
January 2, 2008 at 8:51 pm
It looks phenomenal on you! Great job!!!
Sonya said,
January 2, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Fab. U. Lous. Seriously. Beautiful sweater and it fits you perfectly. I personally enjoy your prattle and look forward to it immensely. I particularly enjoy the asides, be they about black and white photography or any other topic. I’m definitely looking forward to learning what your 2008 knitting are.
leigh said,
January 2, 2008 at 9:48 pm
pink aside, it’s quite a gorgeous sweater! and, of course, the b&w pix are the best!
cheerio and happy new year
Shelley said,
January 2, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Loved the photos! That sweater is gorgeous and I love the colour. And it looks fabulous on you! I keep saying it and someday it will come true – but I’ve really got to knit myself a sweater…
--Deb said,
January 2, 2008 at 10:35 pm
The sweater looks just fabulous!
Bella said,
January 2, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Woohoo for a finished adult sized sweater to top off the already successful year of sweaters! I do like this pattern a lot, and you knit it in a darling color. Looks great on you! And I see what you mean about the torrid love affair between the Henley and the camera – this might be the most photographed FO in a while.
While I wholeheartedly agree that bad photographs cannot be made good or artistic by simply making them black & white (though there are a few other photographic tricks of the trade that can sometimes salvage an otherwise unimpressive photo), I must voice my disagreement with your prattle-reduction resolution. We all have knitting blogs, Flickr accounts, FO and WIP pictures, even a Ravelry account here and there. What makes Rachel the Lickety Knit-iest queen of knitting blogs is her amusing prattle! We love your opinions on black & white pictures just as much as we love seeing your sweaters and other knitting-related content. Long live the prattle!
Erika said,
January 3, 2008 at 1:19 am
It’th a very pretty thweater! Congratulations on finishing it in 2007 too…I don’t count buttons OR darning in of ends…if I counted the latter as part of finishing then the state of my Argosy scarf would make me weep…on the other hand, it won’t be gifted until I do something about those ends. Drat.
Anyway, happy New Year!
knitnana said,
January 3, 2008 at 9:16 am
Beautiful! Love the color….I hope it wears better than you anticipate!
(((hugs)))
Janet said,
January 3, 2008 at 9:36 am
Absolutely beautiful! The color is stunning. Add me to the list of people who didn’t want to knit this until seeing yours…
Also, I enjoy your prattle. It distracts me from feeling jealous of your obviously crazy-mad-knit-skillz. Please don’t stop. Consider this a sincere plea for my self-esteem. Because your blog is really just for my use and enjoyment, right?
No?
whitney said,
January 3, 2008 at 9:43 am
Wow! Like several others who’ve commented, I wasn’t so sure about this sweater, but seeing yours makes me want to knit one up. Gorgeous work! Happy New Year!
Amy said,
January 3, 2008 at 9:54 am
That’s beautiful! What a great way to end the year of sweaters!
Meta prattle. Hee. I never meta prattle I didn’t like.
Lisa C. said,
January 3, 2008 at 10:15 am
You did a great job with this sweater. It is so feminine without being frilly.
disentangled said,
January 3, 2008 at 11:12 am
Beautiful! And I think it is extra special that you were able to make it out of reclaimed yarn! It’s so fulfilling to turn a looser into a winner! Congrats!
ann said,
January 3, 2008 at 11:52 am
You should know that you singlehandedly caused me to fall madly in love with that sweater, even though I don’t even remember seeing it the first time. It’s totally gorgeous, and it fits you perfectly. Bravo!
Emily said,
January 3, 2008 at 12:06 pm
oh my god that is gorgeous
It’s first on my list (although it didn’t make the cut until I saw yours) if I am ever not pregnant (the internet, the books and the doctor all promise that this will happen eventually but I think they might all be liars).
Macoco said,
January 3, 2008 at 1:23 pm
That is a very beautiful sweater. The color looks perfect with the stitch pattern. Delicate and soft all around.
Karin said,
January 3, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Looks good on you ^_^.
So, what’s the theme of the year going to be?
Amy said,
January 3, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Beautiful sweater! I like the tighter fit. It really flatters your figure. You look stunning in it.
Amy
Knittypants said,
January 3, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Pretty, pretty, pretty. I love it, the soft pink, the lace. Yours makes me want one, the drab, blah one in the magazine does not. Great job.
Mothhair said,
January 3, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Beauteous sweater on a beauteous daughter! My only regret is that I can’t see your precious face in these photos. Otherwise, perfect!
Mintyfresh said,
January 4, 2008 at 7:50 am
it’s perfect, of course.
Allison said,
January 4, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Every time I go to post a comment on this, Lilah wakes up from a nap. Not sure what you did to offend her :)
Oh, we all know what the black and white photo is all about–you and pictures of your rack! Glorious sweater, seriously. I gave up my Interweave subscription (partly because of no time to knit, partly because the projects weren’t screaming, knit me!), but I may have to get a copy of this one, because WOW! The curling button band seems an odd issue for the designer to have not considered, though, and I’d probably have to figure out a way to fix it. I worry about the durability of cashmerino, too. I love the feel, and it’s nice to knit with, and soft, but I dunno… Anyway, BEAUTIFUL sweater. It looks fantastic on you and your rack.
sari said,
January 4, 2008 at 12:50 pm
i say something like this every time – but, wow, i LOVE that sweater.
nova said,
January 4, 2008 at 4:35 pm
C-, you sell yourself short. Surely you deserve at least a B+ (this is probably why I won’t be handing out grades for the class I am co-teaching this sprint–leniency, that is my middle name). This Henly is perfected (curling button bands aside). Honestly, I could have read about this sweater and your experince knitting it at greater length. I love your little nuggets of wisdom and wit. Happy New Year!
Dwight said,
January 4, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Wow, this sweater is awesome and it looks even better on you. I’m not sure about the black and white though, your colors are so vibrant I think it’s a shame when we can’t see them in their full glory.
Awhile ago your “on deck” box had a sweater you were making for a friend, it looked like something fun with pigs on it. But I don’t see it there anymore and I don’t see a post about it, how did it turn out? Did s/he like it?
Keep up the great blogging, you’re the best.
Susan said,
January 5, 2008 at 8:30 am
Absolutely gorgeous!
Specs said,
January 5, 2008 at 12:48 pm
C-? Dude, whatever.
This is an awesome sweater.
Adriana said,
January 5, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Beautiful sweater. You always make me rethink my previous impressions. I hope the yarn wears better than you’re expecting. I’m definitely trying to swear off DB Cashmerino in either weight. It just doesn’t wear well enough to justify the price.
Elinor said,
January 6, 2008 at 2:44 pm
C-? Are you kidding?? It’s beautiful! I love the subtle pink too! I say A+.
JayJay said,
January 7, 2008 at 3:37 pm
The color and style are just beautiful on you! Also, I am glad that your anti-prattling resolution was not a resounding success. You prattle better than anyone I’ve ever met, and are far more entertaining than non-prattlers.
Sue said,
January 7, 2008 at 6:04 pm
It looks beautiful on you. The color suits you too. What a perfect solution to using up some stash yarn too. I look forward to seeing more beautiful knits from you, and your wonderful stories to accompany them as well.
stacey said,
January 8, 2008 at 2:03 pm
wow. that came out amazing! what a beautiful sweater!
Julia said,
January 8, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Ack, I’m about to drool all over my keyboard! it’s beautiful I love it, I need one now!!! Very nicely done!
Allison said,
January 10, 2008 at 8:18 am
You have inspired me! I have ordered a copy of the magazine, and I realized I have more than enough Elann Peruvian Baby Silk to make this in a nice orchid color, so it’s a stash buster, too. Interweave should totally pay you for advertising, and if you hadn’t posted all those photos, I doubt I ever would have been seized with the urge to knit this.
Sarah said,
January 11, 2008 at 4:43 am
I’ve just come across your blog for the first time and wow, what a stunning garment you’ve made. Henley looks beautiful.
Debby said,
January 15, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Your sweater looks great! And great on you too.
BTW: how is your friend Annie doing?
earthchick said,
January 16, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Totally frickin’ gorgeous. Perfect, really. It is beautiful on you.
[*bites tongue, tries not to say "fabu"*]
FABU!!!
[couldn't help it]
Rain said,
January 27, 2008 at 8:56 am
Gorgeous. Great job! Don’t you dare hide it away, it’s a sweater that needs to be seen.
specs said,
January 28, 2008 at 8:18 pm
P.S.
I gave you the “you make my day” award over at my blog. Yay, you!
Hege said,
January 29, 2008 at 4:07 am
Beautiful!
Love the colour.
Allison said,
January 29, 2008 at 9:51 am
Hee hee, I’m not the first, but I gave you for the Make My Day Award, too.
Claire said,
January 30, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Oh, uh, damnit, I gave you that Make My Day Award three. You’re just too popular!
Kirsten said,
January 31, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Beautiful henley! It looks great on you and I love the color you chose. Exquisite!
Kristen said,
February 13, 2008 at 4:19 pm
It’s true, your blog makes my day!
Peacock Chic said,
March 15, 2008 at 9:48 am
How funny, I have never looked twice a the Henley, now I am in love!!! Great job!
Cheri said,
March 25, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Thank you for all your comments. I’m also making this out of the Debbie Bliss babycashmerino. I have the back and arms finished and I’m working on the front now. I’m a bit short and I was debating shortening the arms but after checking other patterns and noting that many sleeves are around 18″ and this was 17″ I decided to follow the recommended length. Since you found them a bit short they should be perfect for me.
I wanted the body longish so decided not to shorten it. For the pattern change at the bust I stared 1″ lower because I was worrried it would end up mid bust for me and I would rather have it lower then higher. I also started the pattern later on the sleeves as I didn’t want the lace at my elbow but just above it. We’ll see how that worked out once I sew it together.
Thanks for the warning on the rolling button band. Connie gives alternate diretions on her blog for a nice flat button band so I think I will follow those directions.
Well done and again thanks for helping me decide on what to do with the button band.
Becky said,
June 12, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I just found your blog through Ravelry. This is a gorgeous sweater and inspires me to knit one of my own! Thanks for sharing.
hobbyvenn said,
June 15, 2008 at 8:32 am
Wow, what a lovely sweater! I found your blog through Ravelry where I have been “sideby” member in a while.
riotyarn said,
April 23, 2009 at 1:45 am
I’ve seen that pattern on ravelry, you’ve made a fantastic job. The sweater is beautiful.