4 days, or about 25% into the Olympics, and judging by yarn consumption, about 25% done with the cardigan. I got to the bottom of the ribbed yoke last night, slipped the stitches onto a length of dental floss, and checked the fit.
It doesn't. I have been blessed with broad shoulders (several years of swimming the IM will do that to you) and the yoke only passes the edge of my shoulders if I haul on it. If I fasten all three buttons, it's a real stretch. In photos of finished Shaloms on Ravelry, most folks' shoulders hit in the middle ribbed section.
ARGH!
So I am taking 24 hours to decide what to do about it. I should have cast on 10 or 12 more stitches. The bust measurement of the original pattern isn't a problem, but the shoulders are really bothering me. And starting over now may mean that it's not finished before the Olympics are over. What do Olympic athletes do? They don't really have the option of starting over, except perhaps in swimming and track.
But, I'd rather have a sweater that fits well and makes me happy, in the end. I've been known to apply "done is better than perfect", but I don't agree so much with "done is better than wearable".
But, that is the most knitting I have EVER done in 4 days, including one precious two-hour naptime.
ARGH.
Guess I'll go measure the neckline again. I could always increase a bit with stockinette, enlarging the yoke, before binding off the armholes. But the neckline did feel a bit small last night.
If you have any advice in the next 8 hours or so, please share it! I'll probably frog it tonight. Or at least, after I get my Real Job Work done for the day. There's a lot of lost time to make up.
I wish I had good advice, but I can only say I'm so sorry, and you're right, finishing a too-small garment is not going to feel like much of a triumph, medal or no. Unless there's someone you know that it would fit, and want to go that route...still. Ugh!
Posted by: ccr in MA | February 16, 2010 at 05:23 PM