Dear Kay,
Oh for pity’s SAKE I finished the second sleeve of this thing.
The problem isn’t that it’s hard. The problem is that it’s not portable. You have sit right there with the thing, with the chart and your snack bar of tiny balls of yarns, with your steam up and your Internet off. You need your good light, because after sunset, Pickle = Bark and Bramble = Roseberry. You need things to align like the sunbeams on a Mayan temple, and for me, that just doesn’t happen often enough.
But it’s done.
Despite excellent advice on how best to address the line of incorrect Pickle, midway down on the right sleeve, I decided to let it be. Any backward motion on this thing would likely result in another four-year furlough. My soul can’t handle that!
Of course, it’s not really done. The moment I cast off that last bit of Rowan Donegal Lambswool Rainforest (such a perfectly dank shade), I turned the thing inside out only to discover, quickly, this:
Like turning over a mossy rock. Yech!
The neckline.
Which appears to need work.
Love,
Ann
PS We’re supposed to go to a Downton Abbey party on Saturday, so I’ve been dreaming at dresses online. As if I could get hold of a 1922 party dress . . . or fit in one . . . Here’s a little wallow for you: 1920s dresses in the Met’s Costume Institute. Like this one. Or this incredible color study. Pro tip: you can zoom into these, up close n personal. Wow.
Also: Kimi Pryor’s Pinterest of dresses. Delicious!
Am keen to see that neckline turn into something less puzzling. But maybe take a day or two off to whip up a 1920s dress. hahahahahaha.
I would go for the easier choice. Long black skirt, black top, frilly apron. Anna Bates! Charming, beautiful and loyal. The sweater is beautiful!
Laura–I’ll definitely be in mourning for THE POOR DEPARTED ONE! SO INAPPROPRIATE TO HAVE A PARTY UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES.
that is a mighty pretty sweater!
Love the sweater – your persistance has paid off in spades! The Downton party sounds like fun — I’m in prolonged withdrawal until next January.
Look at the bright side: it isn’t a cardigan. You only have to work a neckline, not full-on neck, button band, and buttonhole band!
Off to wallow in 1920s couture. (Actually, I have whole volumes of superbly-photographed costume, from the Met and even better still, the V&A and the Kyoto Costume Institute. Wallow-palooza!)
I think you should wear that lacy bed jacket thingy you made ages ago to the party – with a slip/shift? It was as impressive as this Starmore! Love these links.
Wow, if you had any karma that needed purifying, the effort of making this sweater has surely done it….
Cheering for your perseverance. It’s a beauty, even pre-neckline finish.I think you have earned a ride on the Mindless Knitting Carousel.
well, well the sleeve esta finito! sincere and hearty congratulations! the sweater looks so darn beautiful , i got that kind of hushed. feeling of awe when the screen opened up to reveal your pics. i guess those funny looking things that are still there (and from what you said) mean that you’re next move is making the neck band. Ann, i have never (could i ever?) made anything like this sweater. so it does my heart extra good to see what you have created.
LoveDiane
Yay!!!!!!
Yay!!!!!!
So. Beautiful.
The garments are one of the chief delights in watching DA.
Congratulations on your recent exit from Sleeve Island. It won’t be long now.
Absolutely gorgeous sweater. An heirloom — when you have a favorite DIL or granddaughter, that is where it should go (after you wear it proudly and many times yourself).
That dress in the last link could easily be worn today. Too bad you have only two days to whip one up…
Love the jumper! It will be really worth it when the neckline’s done!
Love the jumper! It will be really worth it when the neckline’s done!
When there are errors in my knitted garments I always say to myself that it is only good – it shows that it is handmade and mot machine made.
The pullover is beautiful – and handmade!
When there are errors in my knitted garments I always say to myself that it is only good – it shows that it is handmade and mot machine made.
The pullover is beautiful – and handmade!
When there are errors in my knitted garments I always say to myself that it is only good – it shows that it is handmade and mot machine made.
The pullover is beautiful – and handmade!
When there are errors in my knitted garments I always say to myself that it is only good – it shows that it is handmade and mot machine made.
The pullover is beautiful – and handmade!
Hopefully the neckline is mostly corrugated ribbing. Slow but not hard. I’m looking forward to seeing it finished!
Well, I should have figured out that it was a Mayan-Temple-at-sunset-on-the-day-when-there-are-three-full-moons-in-one-calendar-month finishing job. I’m sorry that I bugged you about it, especially as I have one of those “Only in this chair, in daylight, and with no other distractions” projects on the needles myself!
That being said, it’s lovely. Good work! Also, have fun at the party! I loves me a costume party…
Also, you weren’t kidding about that “up close n personal” viewing feature for the Met costumes. Wow! Talk about details!
Great sweater! Beautiful work! congratulations on finishing the sleeve.
The neck situation is a bit baffling to me (socks only have one opening) but the sleeves look astoundingly gorgeous!!
Love the idea of a dress-up Downton party. I can picture you in one of those graceful, slim numbers! Sadly, I would be better fitted by one of the cook’s outfits. Or perhaps one Maggie Smith’s stately ensembles, complete with stick. Have fun!
Breathtakingly beautiful – and heirloom piece for sure! I’m in awe of your skills and patience – I could never have accomplished this…ever! Congrats – now for some relaxing, mindless garter stitch for a day or two!
Good golly – that gorgeous knitted feast of yours AND you post the link to the fashion archive. We are rich!
Gosh that’s a gorgeous sweater, but I feel your pain. Looks like you need a big swatch of garter stitch to equilibrate yourself.
i dearly love the gown of the twenties
the stage costumes of erte
dear ann book person a book calle extra yarn
won thecaldecott prize
tis about a little girl a found box
of multi colerd yarn and she finds the
yarn is never ending as she sets off to make
sewaters and further yarn adventures ofthe village
by mac barnett
If you really want the Downton look, call a few costume-rental places. The show is popular enough that they may have some period-look dresses you could rent. . .even if you don’t want to dress as an upper-class flapper!
That sweater is absolutely magnificent!! Excellent job!
Be proud. Be very proud.
Your sweater is beautiful! I enjoy your progress reports, your lovely work and your sense of humor! Thank you for including the links to the dresses.
Your sweater is beautiful! I enjoy your progress reports, your lovely work and your sense of humor! Thank you for including the links to the dresses.
Hi! I think the sweater is just lovely, and you can be justifiably proud of the amazing job you did. Can’t wait to see it being worn!
Thank you so much for the link to the dresses. I miss Downton so much. Going to a Downton party, what fun. I will have to be happy with my Christmas at Downton yarn.
Thank you so much for the link to the dresses. I miss Downton so much. Going to a Downton party, what fun. I will have to be happy with my Christmas at Downton yarn.
Those are so beautiful. WOW I’m diffently in love with both of them. You did such an awesome job.
Those are so beautiful. WOW I’m diffently in love with both of them. You did such an awesome job.
Ann! Whack that neck steek open, slip the sweater over your head, and post a photo of all that is Rowan-y goodness! The hanging sleeve photo from Feb 22 just ramped up the suspense, we are all anxious to see il finito. It is magnificent, truly.