The complications of sweater love
I have fallen madly, passionately, irrationally in love with the cover sweater from the Fall ’06 IK. (photo snagged from IK site)
This sweater love brings with it a few complications:
1. I don’t get much knitting time these days, so it would probably take me many many months to complete this sweater.
2. The knitting time I do get is frequently interrupted, so perhaps a charted pattern isn’t the best choice, as chances are pretty damn good that I would lose my place pretty regularly.
3. I have no idea what size to knit, because I don’t know what size I will be when the sweater is finished.
Number three is the biggest complication. I gained 46 pounds during the pregnancy and am now 20 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight. The initial weight loss was quick because it was mostly baby and fluids, but now I’m losing at a rate of .5 to 1 pound per week. (Just from breastfeeding and walking and carrying a 12-pound baby etc. I’m not dieting or anything, since the quality of Thumper’s breast milk matters much more to me than the size of my jeans. Plus I don’t really do the diet thing.)
So here’s the complication: Do I knit the sweater in my former size, assuming the weight loss will continue at this rate, thus landing me back at the old weight by the time the sweater is done? Or do I knit a larger size just in case, with the thinking that a slightly oversized sweater is more flattering than one that’s way too tight? And how about this: Do I knit the larger size because I’ll still be breastfeeding for the next year or two, and so my chest measurement will still be larger, regardless of the size of the rest of me?
Complication # 3.5 is that it would mean buying yarn, which I really shouldn’t be doing right now given the financial realities of my not having worked for the past 8 weeks. Freelancers don’t get paid when they don’t work, so no such thing as maternity leave. Sigh. I don’t have any stash yarns in a wide enough color range to knit it entirely from the stash. Though now that I write this, I’m remembering that I have a good amount of Inca Alpaca (which is what the pattern calls for), and though I know I only have one of the colors for the colorwork, I think I may have enough of a color that would work as the main color…so maybe yarn buying won’t be an issue after all. I can certainly justify buying a few skeins of contrast colors. Hmmm…
Before I dive into this sweater, if I do decide to dive into this sweater, I really do want to get back to the Sunrise Circle Jacket and finish it. Steph has inspired me with hers.
Oh…and good news. Had my six-week postpartum checkup yesterday, and I’ve been cleared to go back to yoga. Woohoo! Thumper and I will hit our first parent/baby yoga class on Monday. We’re very excited. What I haven’t mentioned before is that the kid has superhuman strength. He’s been lifting his head since the day he was born and now has really impressive head control, AND he can roll from his back to his stomach. So who knows what feats of daring he’ll pull off in yoga class. (None, probably. Truth is it’s a class where the parents do yoga and the kids are welcome, so parents can keep up their practice without separating from kiddo. Thumper will be lying on a blanket in front of my mat.)
This blogging time has been brought to you by my kindly husband, greatest new dad in all the land. I tanked the kid up on breast milk, then handed him over to his daddy and headed up to my office for some alone time. (I’m supposed to be working on that freelance job and then my novel revisions. Shhh! Don’t tell that I’m blogging!) They’re awfully quiet down there, though… I wonder what those boys are up to…
Having just turned over the contents of my wallet to my local gas station, the choice of words “tanked up” conjured up a really interesting image.
😉
Feel free to ignore this, but seeing as you have a perfectly lovely project already in progress, might it not make sense to stare longingly at this new pattern for a few more months whilst issue 3 further resolves itself? The charm of this sweater (for me at least) comes partially from its fitted nature, so I’m not sure how an oversized version might strike me.
Posted by: claudia
Knit it in your old size. More than likely, with your level of activity and youthfulness, you will be back to that size by the time the sweater is finished.
Posted by: Norma
I would knit it in your normal size too. I’d bet you’ll be that size by the time you finish it.
Posted by: Karen
I agree with Norma & Karen, knit the normal size. And your little superhero, rolling over already? Amazing!
Posted by: KT
Another one for the old size, but I’d wait for a while too; to make sure that you still love it and that it will be worth your investment of time. Plus, you can see how it looks on some non-model knitters and decide if it will work. (And don’t tell, I’m supposed to be working too!)
Posted by: Kathy
I’m not sure about the old size. I’m sure you’ll lose the weight but pregnancy tends to change things and you might weigh the same as before but you might be more, ummm, shapely. My boobs never did go back to their old size and Hannah is almost 14. You might want to wait a while on this decision.
Posted by: Carole
I think it depends on your body. I bf’d for a year, and after it was all over, I was a whole cup size smaller than when I started. While I was nursing, my boobs would sometimes go up a whole cup size. I say make it in your old size if your boobs aren’t ginormous right now and don’t change too much throughout the day. As for any extra lbs, trust me, you’ll drop it pretty quickly with nursing a little bit of moving around.
Your little bub is absolutely gorgeous, btw. 🙂
Posted by: Sharon G.
Those boys are having some good old father-son fun time. I would definitely wait on the sweater decision, a little drooling never hurts.
Posted by: Kathy
Having just turned over the contents of my wallet to my local gas station, the choice of words “tanked up” conjured up a really interesting image.
😉
Feel free to ignore this, but seeing as you have a perfectly lovely project already in progress, might it not make sense to stare longingly at this new pattern for a few more months whilst issue 3 further resolves itself? The charm of this sweater (for me at least) comes partially from its fitted nature, so I’m not sure how an oversized version might strike me.
Posted by: claudia
Knit it in your old size. More than likely, with your level of activity and youthfulness, you will be back to that size by the time the sweater is finished.
Posted by: Norma
I would knit it in your normal size too. I’d bet you’ll be that size by the time you finish it.
Posted by: Karen
I agree with Norma & Karen, knit the normal size. And your little superhero, rolling over already? Amazing!
Posted by: KT
Another one for the old size, but I’d wait for a while too; to make sure that you still love it and that it will be worth your investment of time. Plus, you can see how it looks on some non-model knitters and decide if it will work. (And don’t tell, I’m supposed to be working too!)
Posted by: Kathy
I’m not sure about the old size. I’m sure you’ll lose the weight but pregnancy tends to change things and you might weigh the same as before but you might be more, ummm, shapely. My boobs never did go back to their old size and Hannah is almost 14. You might want to wait a while on this decision.
Posted by: Carole
I think it depends on your body. I bf’d for a year, and after it was all over, I was a whole cup size smaller than when I started. While I was nursing, my boobs would sometimes go up a whole cup size. I say make it in your old size if your boobs aren’t ginormous right now and don’t change too much throughout the day. As for any extra lbs, trust me, you’ll drop it pretty quickly with nursing a little bit of moving around.
Your little bub is absolutely gorgeous, btw. 🙂
Posted by: Sharon G.
Those boys are having some good old father-son fun time. I would definitely wait on the sweater decision, a little drooling never hurts.
Posted by: Kathy
That is a gorgeous sweater! I’d knit it in your former size -the little one will keep you moving, plus with the yoga…
Posted by: brooke
I think you should go for it! You totally deserve to knit something fun for yourself. I have no experience with pregnancy, but I’d vote for knitting it to your old size. You seem very active so I’m sure the weight loss will continue. Whatever you decide, enjoy it!
Posted by: Vicki
Inside scoop: Webs is going to be getting in a closeout this week, Arucania Nature Wool (worsted AND chunky) and I’m planning to use it for the sweater. I don’t know if you’re a fiber mixer, but it’s going to be dead cheap.
Posted by: Cirilia
Hmmm. Pretty much every mother I know had her body change subtely after pregnancy. So I’d wait a few more months till things settle down, and your weight loss balances out. By 4-5 months you’ll have a good idea what your body is doing long term by itself. And if you need to wear it next winter…Well that’s ok isn’t it?
It’s a gorgeous sweater. I may well join you with it!
And yay for yoga resumptions 🙂 And you should alwasy worry when things go quiet ;)))))
Posted by: Alison
I have no advice on the sweater… It seems like it’s hard to guess how your body will change. But on the baby front: I’d love to hear about how yoga goes. I’m thinking to do the same. Elisabeth is 11+ lbs already and I really need to get back to strengthening up!
Posted by: sophiagrrl
I totally am in love with this sweater as well and want to make it!! I probably will. !! I was just happy to see someone else who loved it as much as I did..
Posted by: Lis
oooh, nice sweater! I say go ahead and do it! How about compromising and knitting one size bigger than your old size? And if it doesn’t fit then block the hell out of it until it does!
Posted by: Sarah
I bet Billy and Thumper were sleeping… My boys used to do that when they were with their father and there wasn’t a nice cuddly breast within nose-range.
Posted by: marrije
That is a gorgeous sweater! I’d knit it in your former size -the little one will keep you moving, plus with the yoga…
Posted by: brooke
I think you should go for it! You totally deserve to knit something fun for yourself. I have no experience with pregnancy, but I’d vote for knitting it to your old size. You seem very active so I’m sure the weight loss will continue. Whatever you decide, enjoy it!
Posted by: Vicki
Inside scoop: Webs is going to be getting in a closeout this week, Arucania Nature Wool (worsted AND chunky) and I’m planning to use it for the sweater. I don’t know if you’re a fiber mixer, but it’s going to be dead cheap.
Posted by: Cirilia
Hmmm. Pretty much every mother I know had her body change subtely after pregnancy. So I’d wait a few more months till things settle down, and your weight loss balances out. By 4-5 months you’ll have a good idea what your body is doing long term by itself. And if you need to wear it next winter…Well that’s ok isn’t it?
It’s a gorgeous sweater. I may well join you with it!
And yay for yoga resumptions 🙂 And you should alwasy worry when things go quiet ;)))))
Posted by: Alison
I have no advice on the sweater… It seems like it’s hard to guess how your body will change. But on the baby front: I’d love to hear about how yoga goes. I’m thinking to do the same. Elisabeth is 11+ lbs already and I really need to get back to strengthening up!
Posted by: sophiagrrl
I totally am in love with this sweater as well and want to make it!! I probably will. !! I was just happy to see someone else who loved it as much as I did..
Posted by: Lis
oooh, nice sweater! I say go ahead and do it! How about compromising and knitting one size bigger than your old size? And if it doesn’t fit then block the hell out of it until it does!
Posted by: Sarah
I bet Billy and Thumper were sleeping… My boys used to do that when they were with their father and there wasn’t a nice cuddly breast within nose-range.
Posted by: marrije
I’d suggest knitting it in your old size, but know that it may still be awhile before it fits you properly. Your body may not want you to drop all the weight until you’re done breastfeeding.
I love that sweater, too. I was thinking of doing the main color in a mossy green. But I’m not making any big yarn purchases in the near future.
Posted by: Frith
Thanks for keeping up with us while your time is so limited.
I vote for the sunrise circle because I think it will be more forgiving and love you just the way you are.
While you’re working on that, you may find something else in your stash that resumes its siren call.
Yoga will be a motivator in many ways, and make you look differently at yourself and your world.
Breastfeeding didn’t help me lose the baby fat. I’m happy for you and your healthy boy.
Posted by: Angie
That sweater is really beautiful. It’s hard to know what size to knit though — my baby is a year old now and I’m pretty much back in my old size again, but breast size is something to consider, definitely. Mine don’t go down at all until I wean my babies. That factor depends on the individual though; some ladies say that they drop back down to only a little bigger than normal once the baby’s schedule normalizes after about 12 weeks or so.
Can’t wait to hear about the baby/yoga class. I got a baby/mom yoga video and hated it, but I always thought that it might be fun to do at an acutal class.
Posted by: Faith
I have no idea about the sweater size. It took me almost a year to lose the baby weight, though – I think I gained 40 lbs. Bee was pretty much entirely breastfed until 1 year.
Yay yoga! Yay Billy! Yay 12 lb (!!!) baby!
Posted by: Cassie
This sweater love is not irrational! It’s perfectly sane. The whole issue is full of gorgeous temptations, in my opinon. But I remember you did once warn me of the dangers of overheating in an alpaca pullover, and stranded colorwork will make an even thicker fabric…plus I’ve personally fondled your huge stash and I *know* there is something inspirational in the orange room that won’t require a yarn purchase and subsequent guilt.
But, if you only have to buy a few contrast colors, that justifies everything.
And yes, that is a blogger link there. But I neglect the site and am still trying to fix it up the way I want it, it’s not really ready for a coming out party. But still, it’s a start!
Posted by: sarah
I’ve been having the same kinds of conversations with myself about knitting sweaters for moi. It’s hard to know what to do… I have faith that both of us will lose more preggo weight, but we might have slightly different shapes than we did before.
Let us know how mommy/baby yoga goes. I was just invited to a class in my neighborhood, too!
Posted by: Karma
My guess is Thumper got Billy in a headlock.
Holy crap, I love inside scoops. And I love that sweater, too, but I’ve chosen to hold off on all sweaters until I drop the weight I want to. Hence the mad afghan/sock/hand towel/table runner knitting.
Posted by: Michelle
Michelle just cracked me the hell up.
Posted by: Rachael
I’d suggest knitting it in your old size, but know that it may still be awhile before it fits you properly. Your body may not want you to drop all the weight until you’re done breastfeeding.
I love that sweater, too. I was thinking of doing the main color in a mossy green. But I’m not making any big yarn purchases in the near future.
Posted by: Frith
Thanks for keeping up with us while your time is so limited.
I vote for the sunrise circle because I think it will be more forgiving and love you just the way you are.
While you’re working on that, you may find something else in your stash that resumes its siren call.
Yoga will be a motivator in many ways, and make you look differently at yourself and your world.
Breastfeeding didn’t help me lose the baby fat. I’m happy for you and your healthy boy.
Posted by: Angie
That sweater is really beautiful. It’s hard to know what size to knit though — my baby is a year old now and I’m pretty much back in my old size again, but breast size is something to consider, definitely. Mine don’t go down at all until I wean my babies. That factor depends on the individual though; some ladies say that they drop back down to only a little bigger than normal once the baby’s schedule normalizes after about 12 weeks or so.
Can’t wait to hear about the baby/yoga class. I got a baby/mom yoga video and hated it, but I always thought that it might be fun to do at an acutal class.
Posted by: Faith
I have no idea about the sweater size. It took me almost a year to lose the baby weight, though – I think I gained 40 lbs. Bee was pretty much entirely breastfed until 1 year.
Yay yoga! Yay Billy! Yay 12 lb (!!!) baby!
Posted by: Cassie
This sweater love is not irrational! It’s perfectly sane. The whole issue is full of gorgeous temptations, in my opinon. But I remember you did once warn me of the dangers of overheating in an alpaca pullover, and stranded colorwork will make an even thicker fabric…plus I’ve personally fondled your huge stash and I *know* there is something inspirational in the orange room that won’t require a yarn purchase and subsequent guilt.
But, if you only have to buy a few contrast colors, that justifies everything.
And yes, that is a blogger link there. But I neglect the site and am still trying to fix it up the way I want it, it’s not really ready for a coming out party. But still, it’s a start!
Posted by: sarah
I’ve been having the same kinds of conversations with myself about knitting sweaters for moi. It’s hard to know what to do… I have faith that both of us will lose more preggo weight, but we might have slightly different shapes than we did before.
Let us know how mommy/baby yoga goes. I was just invited to a class in my neighborhood, too!
Posted by: Karma
My guess is Thumper got Billy in a headlock.
Holy crap, I love inside scoops. And I love that sweater, too, but I’ve chosen to hold off on all sweaters until I drop the weight I want to. Hence the mad afghan/sock/hand towel/table runner knitting.
Posted by: Michelle
Michelle just cracked me the hell up.
Posted by: Rachael
I don’t know what to recommend about size, but I think you can totally justify the yarn buying.
Posted by: Sneaksleep
I don’t know what to recommend about size, but I think you can totally justify the yarn buying.
Posted by: Sneaksleep
You know, I’m going to swim against the tide here; I’d wait. Wait a few months, even six if you’re feeling daring, then decide what size to knit – you might have a tiny bit more clarity as to what size might be appropriate, and six months would give you time to set aside a wee bit of cash to offset the yarn purchase. I’d also hate to be in the position of putting pressure on myself to be a certain size by a certain time – even if you think losing the weight will go smoothly, I’m a big believer in the “buy the size you are now”. So, in short, I’d wait. But it is beautiful!
Posted by: Donna
This is tough. Your body will still do a lot of changing in the next few years. I found I lost all the baby weight very quickly while nursing and was actually lighter than my pre-preg weight because the baby just ate so much and I couldn’t keep up with the calorie intake.
But I also had huge breasts (for me anyway) and I had a different shape. Sweaters I knit before the pregnancies didn’t look good again until years later, sometimes not at all.
I’m a cautious one, so I would say, wait. But if you love it knit it to fit your original chest–it might take you that long to fit it and that way you’ll have something you can wear while baby grows up.
And, I love that sweater too.
Posted by: Steph
It sounds like your weightloss is going great! Anymore might impact your nursing. I think you should splurge on the sweater. Whenever you see it, you will always remember you made it the year you had your baby and it will be extra special. With the steady losses you’ve been seeing, your going to be back to you pre-baby size by winter.
Posted by: Donna
I don’t know what to recommend about size, but I think you can totally justify the yarn buying.
Posted by: Sneaksleep
I don’t know what to recommend about size, but I think you can totally justify the yarn buying.
Posted by: Sneaksleep
You know, I’m going to swim against the tide here; I’d wait. Wait a few months, even six if you’re feeling daring, then decide what size to knit – you might have a tiny bit more clarity as to what size might be appropriate, and six months would give you time to set aside a wee bit of cash to offset the yarn purchase. I’d also hate to be in the position of putting pressure on myself to be a certain size by a certain time – even if you think losing the weight will go smoothly, I’m a big believer in the “buy the size you are now”. So, in short, I’d wait. But it is beautiful!
Posted by: Donna
This is tough. Your body will still do a lot of changing in the next few years. I found I lost all the baby weight very quickly while nursing and was actually lighter than my pre-preg weight because the baby just ate so much and I couldn’t keep up with the calorie intake.
But I also had huge breasts (for me anyway) and I had a different shape. Sweaters I knit before the pregnancies didn’t look good again until years later, sometimes not at all.
I’m a cautious one, so I would say, wait. But if you love it knit it to fit your original chest–it might take you that long to fit it and that way you’ll have something you can wear while baby grows up.
And, I love that sweater too.
Posted by: Steph
It sounds like your weightloss is going great! Anymore might impact your nursing. I think you should splurge on the sweater. Whenever you see it, you will always remember you made it the year you had your baby and it will be extra special. With the steady losses you’ve been seeing, your going to be back to you pre-baby size by winter.
Posted by: Donna