This is, hands-down, the craziest knitting pattern I've ever made and by the time I got done with it I'd unpicked and restitched enough to have made it three times over. But . . . it is finally done and I like it.It's a shrug and you start from the cuff of one sleeve and work back and forth until you widen into a large circle for the body then narrow back to the second sleeve and on down to the final cuff.
Once you've got that you sew up the arm seams then pick up a ton of stitches completely around the circumference of the body/circle and knit in the round to make this big ruffle around the body. The ruffle folds down into a collar at the top and hangs on either side as a lapel.
But the pattern (which I found at the Lion Brand Yarn site) didn't have a diagram of the garment so when I needed to adjust the stitches for a better fit I couldn't tell what part I was even working on. Crazy.But the good news is that it knits up very quickly with chunky yarn and size 11 needles so even if you have to make it three times it's not an overly long project.
The only question left is: Does it make me look like Grover?
***
And speaking of knitting, I was sent Natural Nursery Knits by Erica Knight to review. I get a lot of craft books and while the majority are only moderately good some of them, like this one, get me excited.The patterns are gorgeous--and by that I mean that they have a soft look of vintage love rather than the sometimes garishness of looking overly handmade. The illustrations are beautiful and I'd love to try this hat on the cover one of the pairs of booties.
I haven't yet tried any of the patterns but now that I'm finished with my sweater I'm wide open for new projects.
Sponsored by K & M Studios and photographer Megan Burgess
36 comments:
You mean Grover from Sesame Street?..It looks like a shade of grey on my PC not "trashy green"..
I like the color and the sweater..It looks good on you...
It's a much softer blue than Grover-- you're safe. Pretty. Wish I knew how to knit. My MIL tried to teach me once and gave up. sigh.
I think it's cute!!! Love it!
Jolanthe
That is gorgeous! Doesn't bring to mind any Muppets. Maybe I'm missing something. Good job!
You look so beautiful!! I love the soft blue colour and the shape. Being tall and thin, this is a perfectly shapped sweater for your frame. When you are short and round like I am; it would tend to make me look like a snowman in a sweater.
Knitting is such a good hobby for cold winter days -- something I've been wanting to learn.
Trixie
Cute !
Very nice! I'm still only able to knit scarves, so I'm envious...
I LOVE the shrug and it is so not "Grover-looking". I'm extremely new to knitting, so I don't think I'd try to tackle this project yet, but hopefully in the future. I can't wait to see what you do with the baby hat and booties, I bet it will be adorable!
Oh heavens no, you don't look like Grover. That is absolutely beautiful!
Thanks :) I appreciate the non-Grover endorsements. I wore it with some black high heeled leather boots so I kind of hoped that the connection wasn't as strong.
It's lovely! So feminine. Great job!
I admit it's been a while since I saw Grover but I don't remember him as a long haired blond in a sexy soft shrug. You did a great job!
That is seriously cute--but I my knitting self wouldn't dare tackle it. I knit to relax. I have a feeling I'd be knitting that one with a death grip on the needles and a bottle of Valium as I scream at anyone who comes within twenty feet of me.
You don't look like Grover at all, but if you did, it wouldn't be a bad thing. Grover is the best!
It looks lovely on you! Nicely done.
You do NOT look like Grover. It reminds me of working on the baby surprise jacket - I thought that thing would never come together.
And I love that Natural Nursery book!
You look great! I'm so jealous of your hair. :) I don't have the patience to grow mine that long, plus mine isn't blond. :)
I really like Erica Knight's patterns for children and babies. I'm almost finished with a sweater from one of her patterns. Her patterns are great for beginning knitters like me. Really cute.
I love it! So soft and pretty, and a gorgeous shade of blue.
Fuzzy and blue, but not Grover. You look great in that shrug!
Thought of you when I saw her suggestions for getting press notice / generating buzz about one's blog.
Here's a link in case it interests you:
http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2009/12/in-press.html
Enjoy! :)
Grover is my favorite Muppet, just love him. Your shrug is beautiful. I have never attempted a sweater but actually talked about taking on that challenge next year after my holiday knitting is complete.
Great Job!
It looks so soft and comfy! Plus, it is quite trendy!
Absolutely darling!
Cute sweater--I like it!
I'd love to hear how the nursery knitting book turns out. My brother's first baby is due Friday (Yes! In two days!) and my mother loves to knit. This would be a fabulous present for her.
Lovely!!
Mary
not grover at all! GORGEOUS.
That's so pretty! It suits you perfectly and the only thing that could make it reminiscent of Grover would be accessorizing it with googly eyes and a big pink nose.
Grover? Get outta here! It's so girly!! Makes me mad tho, it's not something I can wear, even tho I try time & time again. The only knit thing I can wear is a scarf. :) My 18 yr old, who looks like you would LOVE something like this.
Wish I had that much talent in my little finger! Would love to be able to make something I can wear.
Blessings,
Mimi
I agree with everyone else - it's beautiful! You should wear it proudly :) Of course, if you really hate it, send it to me LOL
Well done!
-Erin
chirpatme(at)rocketmail(dot)com
Not Grover but it makes you look like the Headless Horseman. :-)
I think it's gorgeous!
oh, i love it, i think it looks terrific!!
Cute! I can do a lot of things, but have never been able to get interested in knitting. This sweater may be just the boost I needed.
Beautiful! So feminine and soft!
Totally beautiful....both the sweater and the wearer..your mom-in-law
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