OK folks, I had a nice long post that took all afternoon between the kids making me crazy beyond measure. It was going to be my one measure of success in a day of appointments, leaky roof, ants in my pantry, back pain, rushing, waiting, catnip all over the house, playdates and a three year old testing every boundary. Going to be... Hit the wrong button and now I have no successes to mark this day. And dinner's not even thought of and it's 6:30.
Here's the early draft with photos. Imagine something wittier, more descriptive.
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"Do a kid's sweater, they're easy" my patoot - this sweater just goes on and on. Fair Isle, intarsia (with evil fraying cotton), cables, moss stitch, sewn on button bands and little bitty fiddly sawtooth borders ... the fun never stops.
Here it is sans collar and buttonhole band. The sawtooth border is discussed below.
Yeah, it's cute. Yeah, I'm happy to have made it. Yeah yeah yeah. Honestly, all whinging aside, it's been very educational, which I guess is the purpose of a sampler sweater. And better to learn on a kid's sweater than one I plan to wear for years. Because this one, lets be honest, will look good for about a week at best and there after be found on the floorboards of the van or stuffed in the bottom of Em's backpack after pre-school. But I did buy a white dress to go under it the other day (Hope and mother's dreams spring eternal), so final photos will be forthcoming.
That buttonband is too tight, but tough. It was too loose at first, so I undid it and redid it and it's done, so there. First mistake was to sew while on perma-hold with insurance company over a claim from last June (yes!). I waited them out and they agreed to pay just to get rid of me. So this will be forever the too-tight buttonband that's all Aetna's fault! (Real mistake was to declare it done and cut the yarn, but that I can't blame on Aetna).
Was very worried about the evil bunnies being pulled apart, so I blew $0.60 on iron-on interfacing (and another $6 on a feather boa to keep the lucky recipient of this sweater occupied in the fabric store while I waited to have my sixty cents of interfacing cut). It does add a little stiffness, but I choose a woven, lightweight one that's not too bad. Trust me, the bunnies look 10X better even if a bit of drape is lost. Anyway, now she'll have to worry that off before she can get to the million loose ends below. My 2 cents -- intarsia is much better in WOOL. And yes, I would typically weave in the ends, but this yarn frays apart and floats out of position.
Had a long description of this sawtooth fiasco. Guess a photo tells the story anyway. Just why did it take SIX repeats to think to change the dec? Why? Thought it would iron out. Insert Pope quote again. The offending teeth will be pulled out shortly.
There is a bright light on my knitting horizon. I won't even let myself get out the winder until the evil bunnies are done, but I know it's there, waiting for me! Bet some of you can guess what it's going to be. Yeah, I've always been late to parties, but I have fun anyway.
Oooooh, her name is Charlotte....
Sounds like a tough day! The sweater is darling, though—it really is! The cotton, though tricksy, I'm sure will be much more comfortable for the little one, given our California climate. So pretty!
Posted by: Sara | March 23, 2005 at 08:49 PM
The evil rabbit garment looks great - I'll be tucking away the interfacing idea for sure. You're on a finishing roll! Definitely time to start something new and with such gorgoeus colours - yum! Even better than Easter eggs!
Posted by: Sally | March 23, 2005 at 09:08 PM
Wow, that sweater is amazing. I think it is beautiful, and I am sure it will be even more outstanding when finished. You did a great job - and I just hope that when your little one grows out of it, another recipient will get to wear it, too! So...the Koigu...I have never seen a Charlotte, but heard a lot about it...so I'm looking forward to it!
Posted by: Anne-Caroline | March 23, 2005 at 10:21 PM
I love Emily's bunnies! Lucky girl (testing boundries...oh, man, I know just how you feel!!)You will be soo happy when it is done. On to Charlotte! You are just going to LOVE knitting this one - sooooo much fun.
Hope you are feeling well, Nancy!
Posted by: Jackie | March 24, 2005 at 03:54 AM
GREAT sweater. Good idea to line the back of the bunnies, too.
Posted by: Colleen | March 24, 2005 at 04:18 AM
Ah Charlotte. Perhaps if you knit it I will, too. I've had the yarn for a year, and I've been hosting a huge knitalong which many people have finished. I started once and then ripped. Maybe, just maybe, seeing you make it will revive me. If you don't do it too fast.
The bunnies are incredible. Intarsia is the only area of knitting I don't consider myself to be expert in. Something I have to either work on or just avoid completely. And I agree - it's much more manageable in wool.
Posted by: Julia | March 24, 2005 at 06:06 AM
Maybe I haven't done enough cute little kiddie sampler sweaters, but why in the world would you have to sew on a buttonband? The bunnies are cute. It's almost over.
Posted by: JuliaG | March 24, 2005 at 06:34 AM
Oh my - that sounds like a long, painful day. Darned evil bunnies. I have something to make you feel better though. Repeat after me...chasing tail (hee hee!)...chasing tail (hee hee!). I'm sorry but it gets me everytime and my long weekend is starting in about 5 minutes. Here's hoping tomorrow is a better day bunnywise - the cute factor on that sweater (especially with a little white dress) will be worth the headache. :-)
Posted by: Vicki | March 24, 2005 at 11:20 AM
regardless of how evil the sweater was, man, it's gorgeous! simply stunning. and so are you, in your klaralund down there! how beautiful you look in your sweater!
i hope you feel better with each day that passes. take care, nancy!
Posted by: michelle | March 24, 2005 at 01:50 PM
That really looks INCREDIBLE!
Posted by: Adelle | March 25, 2005 at 05:21 AM
oooh, I do love me some koigu :). I've been wanting to knit Charlotte for awhile, too. It will have to wait. I loved reading about your "evil bunny sweater" process :)
Posted by: Moni | March 25, 2005 at 10:20 AM
I love your bunny sweater!!!! Its soo cuet =)
Posted by: oslofia | March 25, 2005 at 11:44 AM
Ooooo Koigu! Nice reward for finishing the evil bunny sweater. Great solution for protecting the evil bunnies. I had to smile about the $6 boa, I had to buy two sets of $1.99 stacking cups at IKEA. They were worth the price, they kept the twins entertained the entire time we were there.
Sorry about the horrible day. I can totally commiserate on losing a brilliant post. The replacement was suitably entertaining.
Posted by: Risa | March 26, 2005 at 05:24 AM