the nearly impossible.

I would like to state, up front, in public and out loud, that if I ever offer to test knit something for you - for anyone - turn me down.  Say no.  Do not be swayed by my enthusiasm. My heart is pure but, as my 7th grade Latin teacher once wrote on my mid-semester report, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Consider yourself warned.

A fanfare of trumpets for Matilda Jane, at long last.

She looks terrific, yes?

OK. OK.  Geeze.  Once she was half dry I decided to block her on the dummy.  There's a bit of bagginess just under the bust I was concerned about, but it tightened up when dry.

I was going to take the mannequin to the park and blog the mortification, but its been raining and gray, so I have spared myself you that.

If you all aren't reading Ysolda you really ought - I find her design sensibility and fearlessness of approach really inspiring and this sweater accomplishes the feat of being flattering on everyone. It converted me into a fan of top down construction, and to an appreciation of detailed finish work and reminded me that its worth doing things right, not just finishing.

It is terrific. 

I also appear to have only used 12 11 balls of Rowan Wool/Cotton - I just touched a 13th 12th but probably had enough to not have done so if I was willing to risk the possibility of multiple joins in the last bit of sleeve.  It is admittedly a close fitted design, with elbow length sleeves and an open neck...but this messes with my belief in my own outlandish scale a bit.  1353 yards of DK weight.  About 5 balls under my estimate.

Huh.

I  wish that I'd figured a better way to join this cotton-heavy yarn.  I wish my tension was better.  I very much wish I had been a faster worker.  And I wish I'd begun the short rows right under the arm instead of two inches lower.  I know a lot more than when I started this.  Which is one of the great things about knitting.

This is a great garment.  No regrets about it at all.

You may have noticed I haven't shown you the finished finished sweater.  I have to confess I kept it on the dummy for days.  I sewed on the buttons.  I laced the back.  I ran out of ribbon, bought more, and re-laced the back.  And I still hesitated.

I was afraid of my sweater.  Afraid this would be one more that didn't quite work.   The Knit Goddess had to make me put it on.

She and B - another knitter - said - it looks good.  I looked down.  It's OK, I said. 

No, I am contradicted, it looks good.

The Knit Goddess turned me around, tightened the lacing.  We agreed I was too old (thankfully) for a black satin bow on my ass.  Plans were made for a snap closure.

We examined the neckline, agreed that the black cami underneath made it perfect - without it it would be all cleavage and kind of Victorian corsetty - in some circumstances, a good look, but not wearable frequently.  But jeans, black camisole - it worked.  I could wear it anywhere.

We decided that only one fancy button at the top was perfect - all fancy would have been too much bling - which is a bit sad because I have a dozen gorgeous Victorian black glass and gold buttons I bought on Etsy.  (The vendor was fantastic. Knock yourselves out.  But hands off those cinnabar looking ones.)

I began to relax.

They said.  It looks really good.  I said, I'm not sure.  They said look in the MIRROR, idiot.

I did.

I said, hey, it looks OK.

They said NO, IT LOOKS GOOD.

And it did.

But I haven't got anyone to take a picture of the sweater with a body in it.  When I do, you'll be the first to know.

 

Comments

[Caroline M]

It looks good on the dummy (I see no tension problems btw) and I reckon that is a really flattering length for a sleeve. Good for you for finishing it

[Cassandra]

Can't wait to see it! Take a pic, already, that's what mirrors are for. Bummer about the creepy guy, what a drag!

[Manise]

That's beautiful! And if they said it looked good on you, it did! Looking forward to you modeling it. I do chuckle at the thought of you traipsing to the park carrying the mannequin for a photo op! Can you imagine the muggles? :-)

[The Other Kristen]

It's not just "good" or "okay" or even "very good." It's stunning, and I want it. Off to add another item to my Projects in Waiting list.

[denny Mcmillan]

you did it, now wear it ot ther so someone can Do YOU, Yes you wil get laid because of the sweater I am almost never wrong.

[Lise in NJ]

Looks stunning from here -- and will probably look much nicer on a person. Trust your friends; if you think it looks passable and they think it looks fabulous, I'd go with their assessment.

[Angie]

The sweater looks good. I'm sure it will look great ON you. Come on! Show us....please?

[anne]

yeah, i wanna se it on! i remeber when you got started on this and i've been waiting forever. i cna't wear this kind of sweater (too-teensy shoulders), but i love it, ans wish with all my might that i could.

[Cassie]

I do believe the lesson to be learned from this is ... just finish the damn sweater? ... it looks good on you damn it, take credit for it? Something along those lines.

Now, really and truly, we need a picture with a non-lifeless body inside the sweater. No one will be satisfied until that gets shown.

[Gina]

What a tease! We need to see model shots of you wearing it. Don't tell you camera doesn't have a self-timer!

[ysolda]

arggh. I want to see it on you! I think I've waited long enough, teasing us like this is just cruel.

I think there ought to be a way to weave the ribbon in so that the ends end up on the inside - where you could just tack them down.

Also your blog doesn't seem to be updating to bloglines, not that I would have a clue what to do about that - it'll probably fix itself. But I thought you might want to know :) I only found this through my incoming links.

[Emily]

AAAH, the torture. I can't wait to see the picture. Matilda jane does look lovely on the dummy, though.

[Adrienne]

Take the picture already. Sheesh.

[Michelle]

I am so thrilled that it's finished. I can't wait to see it on you! Come to NY and I'll take those pix.

[lanea]

Gorgeous! And also, yes, pictures with you in the sweater would be nice.

[Danielle]

Even if it looked like hell (and it doesn't), you'd have to congratulate yourself-- you got that monkey off your back!

[Shelagh]

that's crap. I want to see it on you. :)

pretty looking dummy sweater though...

[Kristy]

It looks really great on the dummy. Congrats :)