Finished! Learned a lot. It's cute. And, most importantly, the recipient loves it. It fits now, but with a little grow room. Crossing my fingers for more wear next year.
Still going to try for the white dress shot, but it just had to be worn immediately for a trip to Costco. Took the 101 home (avoiding the I-5 parking lot) and watched a perfect sunset flash on the waves as we drove. Of course no camera to catch Emily and Bunnies in the best light of the day. Still, very nice way to start the weekend.
The collar has since been pulled into proper shape - this was bound off and literally thrown on going out the door to drop big sis at a playdate (one kid doing the Costco beg-a-thon is enough). I had wisely woven in every last loose thread before finishing the collar. Know thyself. I loose all interest after that last bind off stitch is pulled through! Poor Klara still has a yarn end dangling between my breasts, tickling me periodically like it's trying to remind me to sew it up. I'm am such a lazy housekeeper. Anyway, I'll take my cheap thrills where I can get em.
This has made me think of something my mom told me years ago. Her mom called dust bunnies slut bunnies because ... "only sluts would have dust under their beds". You'd have to know my Grandma to appreciate that completely, but I still get a kick out of it. It's a very good thing Grandma never got to look under my beds. Makes me blush knowing the kind of knitting dust that interface is hiding - slut bunnies indeed!
The collar is done exactly to pattern , but if I had it to do again I would do fewer increases at the points. I think a little steaming will completely resolve the extreme pointy issues. We headed straight out into the garden when we got home for these photos, but it was already getting dark. The last photo below (on the table) shows the positive effects of a bit of tugging and shaping - it's about right now.
Yesterday afternoon I ripped the left side buttonband about 1/2 way, spliced yarn, knitted the needed six rows, spliced sewing yarn, then reattached. It just had to be done and I'm proud of myself for biting the bullet and doing it right. Was stupid to cut the tails before really assessing it, so I had to own up and fix it. Did the buttonhole band last night - oh what fun. Did figure out a neat little trick for keeping the yet-to-be-sewn buttons where I want them - double stick tape works like a charm.
Learned how to do a moss stitch bind off: following pattern, bind off K or P wise after that type of stitch -- Thanks Debbie/Stitch and Bitch. My mom and I agree she does a good job simplifying things that should be just that.
I have to share this... the Knitting Goddess was smiling on me (maybe she was pleased about the buttonband) - I got the 77 neckline stitches picked up the very first time! Really. Actually, it was even better - I got 78, so it was perfectly even, but moss needs an odd number, so I chose that forever loosey goosey spot at the left shoulder/back join to tighten up with a K2tog. Probably never to be repeated in my knitting life, so I must rejoice. Who would be the knitting goddess anyway - Hera?
Here's the collar closer to what it should look like. A thought for those of you new to sweater construction: When increasing on the the sleeves, do the right increase (beginning of a right side row) by knitting into the front and back one stitch after the selvage stitch, but do the left side (end of the right side row) two stitches before the selvage stitch. This makes the little "fashioned" bumps even on each side of the seam. Did it for the first time on this sweater and I really like the way it looks. Oh, and did you notice the lovely UN-puckered buttonband? ;) Gotta close, my arm's starting to get sore from patting myself on the back.
btw, if any of you were wondering why that whole evil bunny thing popped into my mind... think Monty Python's Holy Grail. The rabbit looked cute, but .... Laughed so hard I cried first time I saw it. Hum, must rent that soon.
Awesome! I can only imagine how much patience that took.
Posted by: Alexa | March 25, 2005 at 10:59 PM
Gorgeous sweater! Your daughter looks precious in it. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jewel | March 26, 2005 at 12:03 AM
gorgeous! just adorable!
Posted by: froggy | March 26, 2005 at 02:37 AM
Evil bunnies, intarsia in cotton, endless fun aside, the sweater is beautiful as is its model! Ems is the perfect knitwear model.
BTW, I love the evil rabbit in Holy Grail too! Thanks for the reminder, I have to get that movie now too :)
Posted by: Risa | March 26, 2005 at 05:17 AM
she looks so happy wearing it. it looks great!
Posted by: lynette | March 26, 2005 at 07:00 AM
OMG, I love it!!!! And you can tell she does too which is always the best complement
Posted by: Toni | March 26, 2005 at 09:00 AM
It looks beautiful!
Posted by: Moni | March 26, 2005 at 11:24 AM
Thanks so much for that tip on sleeve selvedges. I was just complaining about lumpy sleeve seams b/c of decreases, and felt sure that there was a way to avoid them. Thanks for pointing it out! Love the bunny sweater too.
Posted by: Ashley | March 26, 2005 at 01:25 PM
Beautiful Sweater and Beautiful little girl!!!! She looks like she's lovin it. Ah, as for the dust bunnies - it looks like I better set up for business - I didn't know there was so much under MY bed!
Posted by: chris | March 27, 2005 at 04:45 AM
Happy Easter!! The sweater turned out fantastic! I am sure she will be the cutest little girl for the day. :)
Posted by: Anne-Caroline | March 27, 2005 at 07:18 AM
Love the bunny sweater. Don't you just love it when they put the sweater on and SMILE? That's when you know all that fussing and redoing was worth every minute!
Posted by: Rebecca | March 27, 2005 at 08:17 AM
Oh, Nancy!! It looks wonderful. And Emily looks so pretty wearing the bunnies. Has she taken it off yet?? You did such a super job...keep on patting yourself, you deserve it! :)
Posted by: Jackie | March 28, 2005 at 08:02 AM
What a cutie in her new sweater! It looks great. You sure have been industrious for someone who just had surgery.
Posted by: JuliaG | March 28, 2005 at 11:50 AM
wow, that is truly a work of art. how gorgeous! i hope you're feeling good these days, girlie! slut bunnies made me giggle :D
Posted by: michelle | March 29, 2005 at 05:28 AM
Haha! Very fun post! Unforgiving Hera could certainly be the goddess of knitting...almost definitely in my case. The bunny sweater is absolutely adorable - how cute!! Those bunnies look so innocent but now I can't help thinking "What are they gonna do? Nibble me bum?!" Thanks for the laugh! :-)
Posted by: Vicki | March 29, 2005 at 10:46 AM
That is so cute - I especially like how the back is just as interesting as the front! makes me wish I had at least one daughter - can't see my boys taking to it - more's the pity. Hera, yes or maybe Hestia?
Posted by: sally | March 29, 2005 at 04:07 PM
Beautiful! Just beautiful!
Posted by: Emily | March 30, 2005 at 09:04 AM
That sweater is simply amazing. You'll have to save it for your grandchildren.
Posted by: Andrea | April 01, 2005 at 11:50 PM
It is seriously one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen knitting. Congrats and you are a master knitter!
Posted by: Leslie | April 08, 2005 at 05:20 PM