Tuesday 24 April 2007

Knit stalker


There was a time when I didn't gape hopelessly at every knit-clad torso I encountered. Not any more. In the back of my work folder are lots of little doodles which I like to think of as "design sketches", although really they're just scribbled rendering of garments I see on people in the library and want to copy. Yesterday, I saw a girl in a longer-length knitted top, in st st up to just below the bust, and then with a diagonal lace pattern covering the bust and upper back. It had cute little puffed cap sleeves and I wanted it. Armed only with Vogue Knitting and some DB Cathay from the stash, I've made my first approaches to knocking off the pattern.

Ideally, I would like to make a vintage-looking blouse like this in 4-ply; I don't have any hanging around at the moment, but fortunately the yarn I have can knit to a fairly small gauge. There are some parts of working out the pattern which alarm me. Specifically, what to do with the hems and how to manage the lace pattern around the shoulder and armhole shaping fill me with dread. But at the moment, I'm excited about working out the answers, though I'm not yet sure that my enthusiasm will outrun any disappointments in making this.

The cloud bolero is taking shape again, on smaller needles. I'm hoping to have it finished on Thursay so I can wear it at the ATP festival this weekend, but that may be a little ambitious. It's certainly less fun second time around.

4 comments:

Seahorse said...

Nothing wrong with a bit of knit stalking!

Have you seen Eunny's Twisted Stitch Sweater? It's not a pattern (yet) and not quite the same as what you saw but you might be able to lift some ideas re the construction:

http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/bonnie/

Rachel said...

Hi there! I just came over from reading your comment about my topsy turvy doll. The pattern is from a book of knit toys by Jean Greenhowe (I think I spelled that correctly). I bought it on ebay.

Sarah said...

I've been ogling your cloud bolero as I'm planning to make this soon and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things will be better for you both second time around!

I hope the knock off continues to go well, it's a beautiful shade of yarn.

Carolyn said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog!

I knit stalk too - I often have to severely resist the urge to accost complete strangers and demand "Is that a hand knit?".