Monday, December 5, 2011

Cowichan Corrected

This warm,  'Oh-so-Canadian'  Cowichan sweater arrived at the store a couple of weeks ago.  
 
Much cherished by it's owner, it nonetheless has  had   a couple of flaws she hoped I could correct.


By it's slightly matted, fuzzy appearance, it would appear the sweater was improperly laundered at one time in it's past.  Lucky for the current owner,  as that  probably explains why she was able to purchase it cheaply at a second-hand store  in Nanaimo B.C  - the heart of Cowichan country.   For this  owner, the sleeves were a bit short  and she wanted pockets.    Could I do that?    I thought I could. 

It was decided  to insert storm cuffs rather than lengthen the actual sleeve.   To lengthen the sleeve itself,  would require cutting   above the cuff and knitting the sleeve  down. Not that difficult, but throw   matching three different colours plus matching gauge into the repair  and I thought it a process more likely to look 'corrected'  than  original.  A  storm cuff seemed a better idea.  They were easily accomplished by picking up stitches on the inside of the sleeve and ribbing down for a few inches.
 
Looks great.  The yarn used here was a double strand of Eco Wool.  Not a perfect match but darn close. 

The pocket was a little more complicated.  So as not to disturb the front pattern and because I could match the white yarn perfectly with Briggs & Little Roving,  I  cut the sweater just below a white band, picked up those stitches and ribbed up for an inch to create  pocket trim directly in line with the white band of the sweater. 

On the inside I picked up the upper  stitches and knit down, again using a double strand of the Eco Wool,   to create a pocket lining which I tacked to the  inside of the sweater. 


Barely noticeable which pleases me immensely. 
 One would think they were part of the original design.

My arm has been sorely stretched by my own   'atta boy'   'atta knitter'  pats on the back.  I am happy with the results.  I feel certain the customer will be too. The only decision left is what to charge her for the repairs.

8 comments:

Sel and Poivre said...

Its just a flawless job Brenda! You should have a standard cost per hour for repairs plus materials.

Otherwise I'd say $60.00. (And at that I think you're still doing her a favour!)

'Just an inspirational post!

LaurieM said...

Give your arm a rest. I'll pat you on the back a while.

Good job! Looks awesome!!

I agree with charge by the hour. I think $25/hour is reasonable for your professional knowledge. Lord knows a lawyer would cost more and not give the purchaser as much satisfaction and comfort.

Anonymous said...

Yes, one would think that...all repairs were part of the original design!
It looks great!! Love your stretched arm comment...well deserved pats I'd say. Cheers, Brenda!

GinaC.

Wiartonknits said...

Beautiful job, Brenda.

As a custom knitter working out of Wiarton, I know how difficult it is to decide how much to charge. I wish I could just knit and someone else could do the pricing!!!

Crazy Knitting Fool said...

Wow what beautiful work. I am very impressed.

Sandra said...

Excellent job - well thought out, and the work you did keeps the look of the sweater intact. Storm cuffs are an inspired choice - I'll be filing that method away! Love the pockets.
As far as charging - it's so hard to put a price on our work, isn't it? But I think $25 - $30 per hour is reasonable, with a mimimum charge of $50 or $60 in place.
Well Done!!

Yarn and Ivories said...

And YOU are brilliant! A very professional looking job on the sweater. (And thanks for your comments at my blog.)

Christy J said...

Aftethought pockets - EZ herself would be proud of you. And I agree that the storm cuffs are brilliant.