So Close

Tonight I sewed in my sleeves and tacked down most of the steek edges.  My problem is . . . the Kauni is too small.  I made the medium, thinking that 44 inches would be plenty of ease, but no such luck.  I will be able to fit into this, and it hangs nicely if I don't try to close the front, but now I'm stuck.  I'm afraid that if I use buttons, I'll get gaps between the buttons which is always unsightly.  I can't knit four inches of button bands, as much as I'd like to.  I'm considering using a zipper instead of buttons, but that seems wrong.  Any suggestions?  I had a button band, but I ripped it out because it was pulling the fabric too tightly.

Comments

[Elizabeth Risch]

How about using clasps to close it at the neck? You could do a band up the fronts. How about doing one repeat of the squares as on the body, but sideways up the fronts? You could make a turning ridge and self-face it, giving it a little more stability, but don't put buttonholes on it, just let it be loose. Don't despair, there's always something you can try.

Elizabeth

[leandra]

My Kauni Cardigan was also to small (about 2"). But after a bath an a little bit of "power blocking" it was perfect. Maybe this can help you too? Otherwise I would think of clasps.

[Helen]

I would go with the blocking idea. That should soften it up and you can help it get a little bit bigger. It looks really beautiful in those shades.

[Claire]

I have made several sweaters that I thought were too tight for the type of sweater- esp wool cardigans like this. What I did was pick up stitches along the front like you would to make the ribbing but I first knit a band that went with the sweater. It dosen't have to be exactly like the pattern but something that fits with it. after knitting several inches( whatever is needed to fit without making it too big to make the neck work) I knit the ribbing.
Usually the sweater turned out better because of the front bands than if I had just made the sweater

[Sheri]

I'm having the same problem. I also knit the 44, thinking I'd have an inch or 2 to spare. It's too tight. So, I'm reading all the comments and will hopefully block the daylights out of the thing. I'm still have about 1/3 of a sleeve to go. They are taking me forever!
Good luck with yours. Hope you can get it to fit.
Sheri in GA

[Danielle]

Oh what a stomach turning feeling I bet! But it seems like there is tons of great advice right here at your fingertips, thank goodness :) It's really beautiful BTW. Good luck with finishing it up. I'm working on finishing up my second sleeve right now on a top down version. Can't wait to finish up, but I still have the steek to face up the center. The closer I get to the actual cutting, I get a little anxious when I think about it.

[entangled]

I just started the medium. Do you mind me asking what your measurements are? I have a 35inch bust but long arms and broad shoulders so I thought the medium would be the right fit and I could just add an inch on the sleeves. Since I have just started, I'd like to know now if I chose the wrong size.

[Micky]

It looks beautiful. I am sure you will be able to make it work.
:)

[Holly]

how about bands in the front, then do the Scandinavian clasp routine? That completely eliminates any requirement for overlap and gives you a bit more around.

even 1 1/2 inches on each side will add 3" with out looking that unusual.

(that and block the heck out of it!)