Finished Ballerina Top
Yes, it looks a lot like the one in the book! I loved the yarn, and was delighted when I got gauge (both stitch and row) with the needle size she recommends. That almost never happens! However, something happened, because following the sleeve directions as written, I ended up with long sleeves (maybe I lost gauge?!?). Still, that isn't necessarily a bad thing, since it is such a warm sweater, and I'll be wearing it in really cold weather. I'm not sure which project I'll start next. The yarn I had in stash (Knitaly by Colorado Yarns) that I thought would work well for the Boatneck Bluebell Sweater doesn't feel nearly as soft in the swatch as in the skein, so that's a non-starter. I'll see if I find anything on an expedition to Colorful Stitches in Lenox, MA on Sunday.
Looks cute! They would have turned out like long sleeves on me as well if I followed the directions, but I'm short so that is always the case for me!!
Posted by: robin | August 11, 2007 at 09:02 AM
Lovely! I hope it fits you well.
Posted by: Valerie | August 11, 2007 at 09:53 AM
OHH so pretty. I really like the colors.
Posted by: Michelle | August 11, 2007 at 04:22 PM
Wonderful job! It looks just like the book:)
Posted by: stacy | August 13, 2007 at 05:40 AM
Looks great, like I knew it would!
It's nice to know that other people had trouble, too, huh?
Posted by: Marion | August 23, 2007 at 10:53 AM
I am hoping that someone who has made the Alexandra Ballerina top can help....here are my questions:
1. The front cables are set against garter stitch. When we are to knit 1 round (in between the increases and doing the cables), do we purl along the front? The pattern doesn't say so, but, I realize after knitting several inches, that the first rows of garter will be different from the others, which have an "extra" knit row in between the garter ridges.
2. The cable chart is written over 8 stitches; however, the cable narrative is over 10 stitches. If I follow the chart, I would cross three stitches on the first cable of the chart. The description of the chart, though, says to take 4 stitches to the back, etc.
I look forward to reading your reply. Til then, I am stuck!
Posted by: Jessica | August 31, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Jessica,
I did knit the rounds in between the increase rounds, even in the front. But this didn't give me an extra row of knit, it was just garter stitch. The alternate rounds were knit, but the front sections (other than the cable sections) were purled. Does this make sense?
For the cables, they are worked over 8 stitches. For the first one (row 9, chart A) you slip the first 4 stitches to the cable needle, knit the next two, then knit the 4 from the cable needle (we're up to 6 here), then, as per the blank boxes in the chart, knit the remaining two in that cable section.
Did you see the errata page on Stefanie's site? There is a different key to use for chart B than the one in the book.
I hope this gets you knitting again. I look forward to seeing your finished sweater!
Posted by: Trudi | August 31, 2007 at 08:23 PM