I should have stopped sooner

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I knew this wasn’t going to fit by the time I added the sleeves/legs but I kept on going as I was in the knitting zone and wanted to get the Botanical Yoke Sweater finished in time for Pepper’s Christmas!

Her miniature Schnauzer body isn’t that long!

So I put the live stitches on some scrap yarn, removed the circular needles and tried the sweater on her. The body is about 5-7 inches too long.

I like the looseness of the chest area however, it’s still too large. 

After reevaluating and trying to do the math, I’m starting over.

I’m making two changes: knit the next smaller size and shorten the body to Pepper’s measurements. This pattern has some body shaping so I’ll have to finesse that section. Notice I didn’t mess with the sleeves/legs (yet).

Mr. Aitch, Pepper and I hope your Christmas was merry and you had some peaceful as well as joyous moments. Perhaps you found a partridge in your pear tree. 

Pepper’s sweater

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I started the Botanical Yoke sweater for Pepper last week. The pattern begins with the “sleeves” which are put “on hold” and then begin the main sweater from the bottom up.

The sleeves are finished; I’m on the fourth row/round of the body.

It’s been cold here the past few days so when I put her old sweater on her, I realized it was way too small. She wore it anyway.

I’m trying to knit this quickly but with DK yarn and size 4 needles, it’s not as quick as a worsted sweater on larger needles. Plus there are all the other things I have/want/need to do…

So where was I?

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Yes, I remember. I fractured my humerus over Labor Day weekend (September 3rd). I’m out of the sling and going to physical therapy twice a week getting strength and motion back. It’s a long process but I see lots of improvement.

I finally picked up my knitting needles last week “thinking” I could knit another 1898 hat for a charity event. All knit, no purl. I could knit about 15-20 rows on the headband section before I had to stop and rest for the day. Slow going to say the least considering I completed one of these hats in 2-3 days in the past! It’s going to take some time to get my knitting skills back.

My next knitting attempt will be this sweater for Pepper. Maybe I’m just more motivated to knit this than the hat. We shall see! Truth be told I don’t usually buy individual knitting patterns but I’ve been eyeing up this sweater for a year (since we decided to actually get a puppy) and finally decided that Pepper was worth it (plus it was on sale at the time). I didn’t have any superwash DK yarn in my stash and “had” to order some (in Rhubarb). It should arrive today! I know I could adapt the pattern and use a worsted weight yarn but I don’t have the brain power at this time to do the math.

Formal training with Pepper will end before Christmas. We’ve learned so much and even though we have more to do, it’s time for a much needed break. One armed training was not fun but I’m able to use both arms now. Miniature Schnauzers are headstrong PLUS she was the alpha dog with her siblings, a tough thing to overcome for her.

Have a great week. I’ll be back soon!