Although I originally pictured the knitting heresy series as a light hearted yet snarky series poking fun at some of the tenets of being knittish (knittish: a term borrowed most gratefully from sarkasmo), I now want to branch out a bit more. Perhaps I have too much time on my hands or perhaps I think to much but either way I get to inflict my knittish rambles on all of you. So while I do have ideas for posts more like last weeks, this week I want to talk about that most eternal of debates, no not cuff down or toe up, but sweaters in the round versus in pieces. Perhaps this is premature since I am working on my first sweater in pieces but I do have thoughts on the matter and it will be interesting (to me anyway) to see how or if those opinions change once it is done. So first up is in the round.

Sweaters in the round are more organic. You are essentially knitting a sculpture that is a garment. This can allow for some really beautiful garments like Serrano. Since the human body is not a stick figure this makes some sense. Also knitting in the round lets you try it on as you go so you can make adjustments to fit without ripping back too much. Also for many people the lack of finishing is a huge bonus. Also since so many people have the delusion that ‘purling is teh suxor’ you are just doing the knit stitch for most of it. However I have noticed that the quintessential top down raglans do seem to have some fit issues. They frequently create extra fabric right by the arm pits. Also if you are chesty like me it can take some fiddling to get all the pieces to fit right. They are *quick* which I think is their primary appeal for most people. Also for designers its fairly easy to do the math.

Sweaters knit in pieces are more like creating fabric that fits a sewing pattern. In fact I read an article in vogue that suggested that approach. I am finding it fascinating to watch it come together in my zip cardi. They do require various amounts of finishing however and many people seem to find that to be a turn off. However unlike a sweater knit in the round they do allow for more customization of various body parts. Also supposedly seams add a certain amount of strength to a garment, there are even people that knit in the round and do fake seams to get that added support.

Overall I think both have their places and it really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. The key to any pattern is to know your body and your body type. Unless and until you know your measurements and what looks good on you, picking any pattern is going to be hit or miss. There are fantastic articles in knitty about adjusting patterns to fit your body type. here, here, here, and here . Also do not fall for the pattern photos, *THEY LIE*. In the beginning of the book “Knitting in Plain English” there is a short section on dissecting photos to see the problems in patterns. I highly recommend you read it before you go looking for projects. Also if you are on Ravelry look at the other finished versions of the project if they exist. Look for the things that didn’t work and figure out a way to fix them. If you are not on Ravelry, flickr can serve the same purpose though there is a bit more of a search involved. In the end patterns should be looked at more as a recipe than an iron clad rule that you can’t break. This is more work but you will be more assured of an FO you will want to wear.

First I just want to state that this is my opinion only, if you chose to take it personally that I don’t like XYZ and I am clearly OPRESSING your creativity then that is so not my problem.

A while ago I was reading about knitting heresies on LJ and knitters review, some of them were quite funny. However behind the humor was something rather disturbing. The very fact that there was considered an unspoken orthodoxy in knitting and that so very many women (yes although I am quite aware that men knit I would guess over 95% of knitters are still lacking the phallus of might) felt compelled to adhere to whatever they felt were the One True Path To Being A Real Knitter. Besides for some reason I think a man that knits is already breaking not new but weed infested overgrown ground. However it goes deeper than that because there appears to even be different sects in the knitting religion. So in the interest of declaring any bias I might hold to certain knitter types let me get my heresies stated. Further sections will highlight different knitter types and their version of the One True Path To Being a Real Knitter.

v Warmers are dumb.

Ø Wrist Warmers: Perhaps the most ridiculous things ever. Unless you are a tennis player or have some sort of RSI and even then I doubt a hand knit will do as much good as something your Orthopedist would suggest.

Ø Arm Warmers: The same people who make these complain about sleeves on a sweater. If you hate making them for a sweater why make them as a project? Also why not in fact just put on a damn cardigan.

Ø Leg Warmers: Dancers of course have a reason for wearing them. All others please let 80’s fashion mistakes die.

v Stash: No matter the size is Neutral.

Ø The people that stash (of which I am one): Some people stash for a rainy day. Some, like me, stash when they find spazzo sales so they can afford to use better yarn. Unless it looks like one of those hoarder people live in your home or you have have spent every cent on stash and can no longer pay your rent. Just accept that you buy yarn because you like yarn. It’s your home and your money, you are more than allowed to do with it as you like. If you feel guilt because you could have donated it to whatever is the trendy cause of the month look at it as your personal jobs creation program. Without yarn buying there will be less yarn choices and less yarn shops.

Ø The people that do not stash for whatever reason: Not stashing does not in fact make you a better person. It’s a choice. I do in fact somewhat admire the freedom non-stashers have. When they want to do a project they can just pick their yarn and go get it. Since I have a stash I feel compelled to at least try and find a substitute in my stash first

v Yarn Snobbery

Ø No one should feel better because they use Mcsnotty’s Yarns and no one should feel bad because they use the mart of wally yarns. Each has its place and project.

Ø Knit picks is not always the cheapest option for a natural fiber per yard. Now before someone issues a knitting edict against me for my heresy, let me state that I love my Knit picks needles. I also like the fact that knitpicks has made knitting with natural fiber more affordable. They also are providing some of the competition which is making big box store yarn suck less (see the redesign of Lion brands yarn line or patons sws for an example).

Ø Personally I am a yarn snob. However except for sock and my drawers of one of two balls of random yarn most of it I bought for 40% or more off.

Ø It’s hilarious to see yarn snobs go gaga for blends like cashmerino or any of its clones. I am one of those snobs since I love Cashsoft.

v LYS

Ø Owners: Quit whining about how online shops take away your biz and find a reason for people to come to your shop. Community sells. Yes I am aware it costs more to run a brick and mortar store but the markup on top of the MSRP is a bit much. I usually manage to find something to get when I go in but I buy for big projects online usually because not only is it cheaper but I can get what I want. I can count on one hand the times I’ve been to a shop that had the yarn I wanted in an amount that was suitable for a large project. And usually no I’m not willing to special order it and pay more when I can have it within a week and at a better price. Also friendly helpful staff would go a long way towards convincing me to shop with you. Also get some decent freaking light. It is absolutely crazy that I need to take yarn outside your shop to be able to see what it looks like. Bring in more local or indie dyers. Us sock addicts well we have small problems with sock yarn addiction.

v Washing Handknits: There is more than one way to skin a… well you get the drift.