My Ravelry favourites list is pretty full - I use it as a kind of shortlist for things I've seen and liked and may one day want to knit. Usually, a new project starts from there. When I began knitting, I made a conscious decision not to aquire a yarn stash. I learned from my sewing experiences, that you never have exactly what you need and if you do, it is unlikely to be in the correct amounts. So with knitting, I tend to select a pattern and then research my yarn options until I hit on a pattern/yarn combo pleasing enough to head to the shops.
But sometimes, I am in a yarn shop and see something that I lust after. If it is sock yarn, I go ahead and buy enough for a pair. I know what yardage I need, so there is no risk. Which is kind of how I justified a puchase of the first skein of Araucania Botany Lace. There it was, in my local knitting shop, in all its modestly priced, beautifully hued glory. So impulse purchased enough for a shawl. But when I came home and hit Ravelry, I discovered a prime vehicle for it, nestled in my favourites. And because I had bought it locally, I could nip back the next day for the extra yardage required. Folded by Veera Välimäki.
This photo makes it look as if one sleeve is two inches longer than the other. You'll have to trust me that it isn't. Must have put it on the dressform wonky.
There are acres of stockinette on 4mm needles in this pattern - a good thing I enjoy plain knitting as much as I do.
Not that this project didn't provide many learning points:
- Raglan shaping in the round
- Short rows for the neckline
- Knitted pleats
All new to me. Some head scratching moments and intense watching of You Tube tutorials - how did anyone learn to knit before the internet?
I am insanely pleased by the glorious drape of this yarn and also with the subtle interest provided by the pleats (even if they do look a bit holey at the top when examined closely. But I trust that nobody is going to be that eagle eyed around my bustline.
When it first came off the needles, the hem was rolling a bit, so I took my steam iron to it which sorted the curling in seconds. In fact, it was so successful, I went for it with the neck too. Big mistake, quite literally huge. The neck grew so much, I could have put the whole thing on by stepping into it. Disaster. So I hurriedly popped it into the washing machine on a wool cycle and mercifully it emerged back to normal. I dried it super carefully, flat on a towel to avoid any stretching while wet.
I just saw this on your Flickr account and commented there too. Odd that the cat likes it so much, perhaps you are right in thinking it is the colour that attracts.
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 03 June 2013 at 14:35
Love it Ali!!! It looked lovely while you were knitting it and it looks even better finished :)
Posted by: Fiona | 03 June 2013 at 15:35
it's really gorgeous...kind of has me wanting to knit, but fingering weight scares me!
Posted by: erin | 03 June 2013 at 15:51
I love this! It's gorgeous. I've just started a jumper too - hoping it'll be nice and straightforward! Fingers crossed!
Posted by: Cathryn Clarke | 03 June 2013 at 16:01
mmm gorgeous shade of orange. I love the idea but not the effort of knitting. I would rather sew...
Posted by: AngelJem | 03 June 2013 at 16:55
You clever thing...it's fabulous! Love the pics too. I have to admit to a rather large stash....
Posted by: walter and me | 03 June 2013 at 16:57
so nice!
Posted by: beki | 03 June 2013 at 17:03
It's lovely, well done!
S x
Posted by: Sandra (Cherry Heart) | 03 June 2013 at 17:37
The internet is indeed a marvellous knitting teacher. I might have to investigate this pattern, it looks utterly lovely.
Posted by: Sue | 03 June 2013 at 18:50
you finished! it's gorgeous... and is it still as soft as I remember?
Orange is a good colour for you.
Posted by: monica | 03 June 2013 at 19:12
Very nice... love the color.
Posted by: Debi | 03 June 2013 at 21:08
It's very elegant Ali and such a gorgeous colour. I wish I could wear orange
Posted by: Gina | 03 June 2013 at 21:19
It is a gorgeous looking top. I am intrigued by your knitted pleats. And, yes, how did anyone knit before the internet?
Posted by: Tracy | 04 June 2013 at 00:08
It's gorgeous. I love the colour
Posted by: Karoline | 04 June 2013 at 07:24
Totally agree with you about a yarn stash. Love the drape of this top.
Posted by: Anne @GtSlamseysFarm | 04 June 2013 at 11:58
Loving all that orange. I'm nervous about knitting from the bottom up as my last effort was still too short for me in spite of adding extra inches. I need to investigate top-down knitting!
Posted by: Dragonfly | 04 June 2013 at 13:16
Ali, it's absolutely beautiful! Colour, yarn, shape everything! Hope your cat knows what's good for him and keeps his paws off your handiwork! E x
Posted by: Thomasina Tittlemouse | 04 June 2013 at 18:29
Ooh, I like! Love the colour Ali, that will brighten up any grey days :)
Posted by: Annie @ knitsofacto | 04 June 2013 at 19:17
gorgeous, and very useful to have a colour that won't show cat hair!
Posted by: driftwood | 04 June 2013 at 21:36
Oh yes, gorgeous colour. Well done on the pleats, I'd be on You Tube too.
Posted by: rusty duck | 04 June 2013 at 21:55
Love this, and congratulations on your colour choice, I am way too much of a scaredy cat to go that bright. I bet you look brilliant in your Veera!
Posted by: harmony and rosie | 05 June 2013 at 05:46
Great job but your cat stole my heart. Totally.
Posted by: Paola | 05 June 2013 at 08:04
Ooh I do love the pleats and the drape. You still have your thing for orange? I'd love to see a scan of someone's brain whilst looking at different colours. It would be fascinating. I've been staring at your jumper and I'd say it makes me feel rather zingy and energetic.
Posted by: Emma | 06 June 2013 at 14:14
Oh, aren't you clever! I love the way you've arranged the photo so it looks like the door handle is a snazzy bracelet.
That was deliberate, right?
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 07 June 2013 at 11:15
It's absolutely beautiful, Ali. So beautiful, I am going to put it in my Ravelry queue right now. Imitation being the sincerest rom of flattery and all.
Posted by: Megan | 08 June 2013 at 04:21
Oh, that's just lovely. I can't wear orange, but that's not to say that I don't like the colour.
I love Veera's patterns, I've just finished knitting Bolt, and Turmeric is one of my current WIP's.
Posted by: Jill | 10 June 2013 at 17:26
Had a look at your favorites list - and have just downloaded Chaleur. It's perfect! Have a load of yarn that I was going to knit into the Bergere poncho, but Chaleur will be much easier to wear. Thank you!!
Posted by: CarolineBuckland | 14 June 2013 at 18:24
I liked this "When can I sleep on it" look!
Posted by: A Cat From London | 23 June 2013 at 14:18
Nice job, it’s a fantastic post. The info is good to find out!
Posted by: logan | 16 August 2013 at 16:28