Thursday, March 10, 2011

Finished Object: Idlewood

I finished the Idlewood (my rav link) last night and am happily wearing it today. Georgia has informed me that she wants one exactly like mine except in red and not itchy. I LOVE this sweater. Bruce likes the cowl neck and the fit, but he hates the short sleeves (it was a little hard to take pix of the short sleeves on my own. Sorry). Ah well. I'm enjoying the sleeves and I might have enough yarn to make them longer in the future if I so choose. But I'm pretty happy with the short ones for spring.

Pattern: Idelwood (Rav pattern page) by Cecily Glowik MacDonald
Yarn: Cascade Eco +
Needles: US 10.5, 10, 9 and 8 (6.5, 6, 5.5 and 5 mm)
Modifications: I switched the garter stitch bands at the hip and arms to 2x2 ribbing, as the garter stitch was not flattering on me at all. In any way. Nope. I made the sleeves about three inches longer than the pattern called for as cap sleeves are not flattering on me. To reduce the circumference of the sleeves I ended up graduating downwards in needle size on the ribbing so that I had a nice tight finish without having to reduce stitches. I also left off the pockets. I am such a minimalist.


I also cast on for some Monkey socks yesterday. It has been at least a year since I picked up double pointed needles, and I have to say, still not really a fan. I don't find them difficult to use or anything, just annoying. But I figure I should at least give them a fair shake and attempt to get more comfortable with them before I consign them to heck.

See, Kael, even just a mention of handknitted socks inspired me! Thank you again!

Also, my buddy over at Annie Mall got me some graphite Smencils. So I got us some color Smencils. And we are going to have a Smencil party soon. Very exciting. Thank you, "Annie."

Two totally random acts of kindness for Kael and Annie brightened my Tuesday (and numerous other days for the foreseeable future) immeasurably. I'm feeling very very lucky right now to have these two awesome ladies in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful! I think it turned out wonderfully with your mods...and I love the color you chose :)

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  2. ooo I love the color you chose and it fits you beautifully

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  3. Oh, that sweater is absolutely amazing! It looks incredibly good on you, really it fits you perfectly!

    I was thinking: How about I give you a call from the hotel on Monday, and then we can arrange meeting up? Just e-mail me your number at jenny.m.clifford [@] gmail.com!

    Hugs / Jenny

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  4. It looks great. Love the color. You are on quite a roll.

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  5. It is lovely Virginia! Love the cowl neck, and what a beautiful color. Looks so good on you!

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  6. I love that color on you! I'd love to see the whole thing, make Bruce take a picture of you wearing it!

    I just knit a pair of socks w/magic loop. It was my first pair I did w/out DPNs. I have to say, it was pretty easy doing them on magic loop. DPNs can be fiddly so if you don't like them don't let that stop you from knitting socks.:)

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  7. Happy to help [or enable the yarn addiction, whatever it takes ;-)]. That's a great color on you; who knows, maybe eventually I'll knit a sweater for myself ;-)

    BTW, if you don't like DNP's, try using a circular needle "magic loop" style; I've all but given up using DPN's for socks.

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  8. I use magic loop, but for some reason it is really hard on my hands. I'm not sure why.

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  9. What a drop-dead color. The sweater is beautiful and looks great on you!

    Give DPNs another chance. They are so flexible. I can't imagine knitting without them!

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  10. Hard on the hands? That's no good. Wonder why that is. I spose that's why both kinds of needles will never go out of style :-)

    (Of course, I say I've given up knitting socks with DPNs but I'm sitting here making baby booties with DPN's because booties are so small it's not worth pulling the circular all the way through every half-round...)

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  11. great looking top - I am so tempted but that one but not sure about the cowl neck on me?
    the question is are you doing no purl monkeys?

    Happy sock knitting

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  12. You might get a kick out of this; maybe I need more coffee, but I had to go look up what a purl monkey was....

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  13. Many Thanks for the lRav Link, I like top down patterns so much.
    Great work, aso the little lace flowers.
    Greetings from France Anett

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  14. Oui, Oui Madame!! you be looking a bit hot and spicy in that sweater!! Amazing how pouty your lips become when you photograph yourself in your creations!!! I am loving it everso!!!!

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  15. the sweater is amazing! your knitting always inspires me!!

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  16. The sweater turned out great. I like the short sleeves and the colour is gorgeous!

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  17. It really is a beautiful sweater. You know, except for the sleeves, which seem to be missing.

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