Sahara





















What a pleasure this was. I have never enjoyed knitting a sweater more and my experience was due in large part to the fact that I knew it would fit when I was done. There was none of the desperate praying that so often accompanies sweater knitting. Oh god, please don't let me waste $90 (or more) and 3 months of my precious time (or much longer) and invest tremendous hope in this only to have it look like hell. pleeeeease!

I tried it on at all the crucial times and was reassured that it would be fabulous. The only part that gave me some concern was the gaping hole in the middle. I was a bit unconvinced that my ample bosom would be sufficiently restrained. Some of that concern was well-founded. As it turns out, the boobies are really a focal point when I wear my Sahara. Check this out. The camisole helps keep it decent but detracts from the lovely feeling of Malabrigo right next to my skin and that hardly seems fair.

I decided to wear it sans cami to the home of some good friends for dinner the other night and they were good enough not to stare, unblinking (they did, however, rave about the sweater itself). I thank them for their kindness and discretion.

My husband is in full support (no pun intended) of my cleavage and never discourages an appearance so it's impossible to get reasonable advice from him regarding the acceptable degree of exposure my sweater allows.

I've decided to wear it both ways. Most people will see me in the camisole version, but if I'm feeling a little sassy, or I'm having a party in my backyard with my closest friends, off comes the underlayer and HELLO!

More photos because I'm just so pleased with myself.


There you have it!

Labels: project spectrum, sahara sweater

  ¶ 9:35 PM 13 comments

  Progress...

The left sleeve of my Sahara sweater is finished. You may have noticed that progress is slow.

I keep thinking that spring is here, which is silly since it's only the first day of March. I'm really ready for the sunshine and the heat and I miss my backyard. I even got a pedicure in the spirit of willing the weather to warm up. It's not working. The very cold wind this week has quickened my knitting pace and gives me hope that I might actually wear my pretty blue sweater soon.


The right sleeve is coming along quickly. I've knit both sleeves with two circular needles instead of DPs. My first time trying this method and why didn't I do it years ago?? If you haven't had this experience, you really must. I found a nice tutorial here, but hardly necessary since it's a breeze. Far less cumbersome than dp needles, and with my healthy collection of needles, I could probably pull it off with any project.


I've been fantasizing about my sewing machine ever since it went to the shop for repairs. I want the instant gratification.

A few things I dream of making as soon as it comes home:

• Puppet theater for boys (yes. it was supposed to be a Christmas surprise. Now it will be a springtime surprise)
• Amy Butler's weekender bag.
• a curvy, casual flared skirt for myself, something like this.
• tote bags made from old felted sweaters.
• bitty booties
  
• wide-legged corduroy pants for big boy. Inspired by these, from Kiwi Industries.
• gussied-up little boy's underpants. More on this later.

Also, I've had a request for a Spiderman necktie, but I'm dragging my feet on that one.

Another thing I'd LOVE to make is a king-sized quilt for our bed... (hysterical laughter)...maybe someday.

My mom bought my big boy and I matching buffalo socks.
This is the kind of treasure you can find when you live in the old west. Imagine the kiddo's excitement! He has insisted that we wear them everyday this week. It was his idea that I put this picture on the blog. He wants everyone to see them.


A bonus: the socks celebrate some of the Project Spectrum colors.
Also, here is a sweet spot in my house. blue and white.

More soon.
xoxo

Labels: project spectrum, sahara sweater

  ¶ 1:45 PM 5 comments

 
BRAVO Wendy Bernard!


Two things make Sahara the most gratifying sweater I've ever knit. One is that nothing, truly nothing, is more delicious to touch than Malabrigo yarn (except maybe cashmere itself). I read on someone's blog recently (it was late, and I was in a daze so forgive me for not remembering whose) that it's impossible not to enjoy knitting a sweater when you want to have sex with the yarn. She was referring to Malabrigo.

As you may be able to discern from my in-progress pictures, I have acquired one hank of a somewhat darker and more solid blue (shade Azul Profundo) for the lace bits. I wanted a more solid color right next to my face and I thought it would be a better choice (less busy) when knitted into lace than the many-valued Oceanos shade that I'm using for the majority of the sweater.

The second thing that makes this sweater a dream to knit is the pattern. It's filled with customization tips that allow the knitter to make the waist more or less fitted, the hips fuller or narrower, the sleeves any length desired etc. It's clearly and thoughtfully written and the top down design is so great. I am loving the way it fits so far and I'm thrilled because this is the first time I've been successful making something for myself that fits so well.

I made a few changes which you may have already noticed. I shortened it by about 3.5 inches. Without the drapey yarn, I thought this length would be more flattering, plus I'm fond of showing off my belt. I also skipped the shirttail shaping, as I thought it would be goofy on my now shortened sweater.

My only complaint is with the graphic design of the pattern itself. Is it really necessary to cram information, instructions, tips and diagrams onto every available centimeter of the page?
It's crowded and cumbersome to find information easily. I wish they had gone ahead and spread it onto the 8 pages it needs. That aside, I am extra pleased.

Next, I begin the sleeves. I'm making them long. Then the lace panel up front to cover the boobies and voila. fini.

Thank you Wendy Bernard, for designing a beautiful sweater and writing a terrific pattern that can suit almost anyone. If you ever find yourself in my neighborhood, I'd love to invite you in for a super good cup of coffee and some knitting.

Labels: sahara sweater

  ¶ 8:39 PM 5 comments

  Great news: the baby sleeps!


We are exhilarated (and a little surprised) to find that the baby can sleep for several hours without interruption. One might expect that with all these newfound nighttime hours, I would be getting to bed at a reasonable hour to enjoy long stretches of blissful sleep. Instead, last night I stayed up knitting until past 1am. It was so enjoyable and I was so surprised at not hearing a peep from the other room, that I just kept on knitting feverishly until my eyes were crossing and I was drooling from delirium.

The best part: following that, I curled up and enjoyed 5 straight hours of sleep. That may sound lame to someone who is accustomed to 8 or 9 hours of sleep, but for me it was delicious.

Part of my frenzied knitting was owed to my excitement over this:

The Sahara Sweater by Wendy Bernard. Ignore, if you can, the extremely thin model and imagine it on someone a little curvier. Nice huh?

I spent last week repeatedly trying on my Malabrigo Mama and feeling big doubts. It was just looking like a shapeless tube and it drew a visual line right through the middle of my bust. Not a good look for me. After a little agonizing, i decided that it would never be flattering and it would break my heart to use such luscious yarn for something I would never want to wear. So I happily ripped out all my progress and felt no regret.

The Sahara sweater is designed for a beautiful drapey silk yarn. I am using Malabrigo knit on US 6 needles (to get gauge), so my Sahara will be dense and not at all drapey. I know it's not what Wendy Bernard had in mind for her sexy, swingy Sahara, but I'm taking a chance and I think it will be perfect *fingers crossed, breath shallow*.

This picture was taken yesterday before my thrilling 5 hour knitting marathon. It now almost reaches my belly button.

I love that it is knit from the neck down and in one piece! I've tried it on many times as I make progress which is giving me big thrills.
Right now I'm asking myself why anyone would ever knit a sweater any other way.

After waiting almost three months for my LYS to get me more yarn for the infamous dad scarf, I finally gave up and decided to order it online. Two skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, color chocolate, were delivered this weekend. I'm happy to see it, especially since this is the coldest winter on record, the scarf is a birthday present and dad's birthday was May 7.

I'm filled with shame.


Yesterday, I finished a nifty little knitting project bag for my KMKS pal.

I was so deliriously happy to be sewing again, I almost didn't mind that my glorious new Bernina is mysteriously not working. I struggled with it for awhile but finally gave up and dusted off my old Montgomery Ward sewing machine. I've had the Montgomery Ward since I was eleven and it has many annoying quirks. I was reminded what a fine machine my new one is (thanks dad!)

I had fun, nonetheless, and I remembered how very much I love sewing.

My KMKS package was so much fun to compile, especially since my pal lives overseas and covets American chocolate and yarn.

It ships out tomorrow and I will post pictures of the whole pile as soon as it's well on it's way.

This just in:
Exuberant congratulations to my dear friends Marcie, Dave and Jasper who welcomed baby Julian into the world yesterday morning (January 14th). I know they are way too occupied by more important things to ever read this, but I send the message with love anyway!

I will surprise them with a BSJ soon. (If you are Marcie, Dave or Jasper don't click that link).

xoxoxoxoxo

Labels: KMKS, sahara sweater

  ¶ 7:23 AM 2 comments