Sunday, January 27, 2008

I Had A Dream...

Of finishing my first sweater. It all started last year when Necia proposed an I have a Dream Knit-along in honor of Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday. Since I have tackled many a baby sweater, I figured it was high time I made something wearable for myself. In fact 2007 turned into the year of knitting for me. Well the project started off great but I quickly lost steam after finishing most of the back piece.
Oh, in case I forgot to mention, the pattern is from the Vogue Knitting Unltimate knitting book. They have a bunch of patterns created by some well known designers way in the back of the book. I chose a wrap cardigan designed by Oscar De La Renta. Moving right along, the sweater sat in limbo for a good 6 months before I picked it back up. I'm still surprised I remembered the pattern and all. Well it took me most of the fall to complete the two front pieces and the sleeves. Actually it went more like, sleeve, left front, sleeve, right front. I was so ecstatic to finally have my dream sweater almost complete but then I don't know what happened.
I don't know if its the daunting task of seaming the gargantuan pile of fabric or if I just lost interest but this has been the sweaters state for a while.
By the way, none of these pictures actually show the true color. The pattern includes knitting two belts 30" and 40" to use as ties but I just don't like knitting them. I've contemplated just crocheting the darn things but I don't think I'll get the same effect. I'm thinking about just scrapping the belts and use a big 'ol shawl pin as a closure. Hopefully talking about it here will help get me motivated to just seam the thing. Well a girl can dream...

Speaking of sweaters, I have recently fallen head over heels in love with a sweater pattern. It's the cover cardigan in my favorite British knitting magazine, Simply Knitting. Once I saw it, I knew I had to have it. The only discouraging factor was that the sweater used about 8 balls of Rowan Big Wool which aint cheap, let me tell ya. Thanks to WEBS, I have my yarn (at like half the price) and I'm itching to cast on. I've read on Ravelry that a bunch of people have finished it in a weekend which is just my kind of pattern. I'll keep you posted.

Well thats about it for my sweater post. See you next time.

P.S. You can see me on camera for like a second bugging Kat for a picture at Rhinebeck over on her videocast. Thanks Glenna for giving me the heads up about it.

14 comments:

Penelope said...

OOOOOOH... I so want to make that sweater, too!

Virtuous said...

I've been waiting on the pattern from Simply Knitting I need to call Borders to see if they have that issue in finally!

Two Cables and a Frapp said...

I am also waiting for the Simply Knitting mag to make a show. I love the color and yarn of your Oscar sweater. Can't wait to see it when you finish !!!

Anonymous said...

Don't feel bad...I think we've all let projects languish at some time (I know I have!). Maybe you can tackle it one weekend when you don't have a whole lot to do--that's what I usually do when I need to finish something.

Anonymous said...

Necia had a dream that didn't come to fruition either, so don't feel bad. I love the new sweater you chose. Perhaps you'll finish that and may actually return to your "dream" sweater. As always, it's nice reading your updates.

Necia

Annie said...

I think the knit belt looks great, but why not pull a Carrie Bradshaw (or a Patricia Field, technically) and use a nice leather belt to keep it closed? Very chic. FINISH! :-)

Anonymous said...

The new sweater is beautiful and the color you picked is very nice. I hope you finish the first one too, it is so pretty. Can you bribe yourself with the belt knitting? Knit a foot of belt to get the privilege to knit the new sweater?

hope said...

Finish that sweater girl! You will feel such a sense of accomplishment but I love that new sweater. Make that one too.

hope said...

PS - here's an idea for the belts. Do you know anyone who needs some knitting practice? If it's a simple pattern, let them do them. They'll feel proud and you'll have your belts.

Sheila said...

Sending you knitting karma your way.. I really want to see the finished Wrap Cardigan. Your lastest selection is awesome.

Jeanine said...

You can still make that dream a REALITY. It just may not be now.
I like that Rowan sweater more now that I saw that PIC. I mean I've seen it on the cover of the book, but that pic has made me like it more. Too bad I'm halfway thru my Drops jacket.

annmarie said...

I feel your pain at facing the mound of knitted pieces...I usually save this task for a day that I play hooky from work and sew up while watching movies. I don't like sewing up when there's anyone else around even breathing my air! I agree with A-M about cinching it with a leather belt. :)

Scheherazaad said...

Seam it!! Seam it!! Seam it!! I think that you could crochet the belt.

carlita dee said...

Hey, how did the dream turn out? Are you working on it or wearing it? :)