.....Ballerina
In all her glory, and I am most definitely proud and happy with this one. This is a Hanne Falkenberg design and kit. Would I ever make another HF project? Sure. But the pattern requires quite a bit of breaking down and restating into much clearer directions....even charting. For what she charges for these kits, she ought not skimp on the amount of paper used for printing directions. Some judicious spacing is badly needed, and a few more diagrams, with measurements, would be helpful.
I learned a lot on this project though. I especially learned to love short rowing. I'm not certain, but I suspect that if I wanted to modify a pattern to include some short rowing in order to create better ease or drape or fit, I think I could figure out how to do it on my own now. Not that I will....but I could.
Are you wondering about the sock I'm holding in the photo? This is Kristi's sock, sneaking in for a photo shoot. Kristi was taking a break from all the boys and animals in her household by knitting at Threadbear yesterday. She did everything possible to avoid working on this sock, which she is greatly tired of, including buying new sock yarn. I believe it was the Colinette Jitterbug that she succumbed to, and then blamed all of us innocent knitters for enabling her. Hah! Like any of us needs any encouragement.
Holiday madness is reaching its peak, of course. While I escaped the particular insanity of trying to knit 23 gifts between Thanksgiving and Hanukah/Christmas, I do have all my kids, mom, and grandchild coming this weekend for general merriment, and I do have one or two three four last-minute details to attend to.
1. Shop for groceries.
2. Cook groceries.
3. Acquire just a few more gifts.
4. Wrap all gifts.
See...only 4. Yes, they're all biggies, but still...only 4. I'm very calm.
My madness will be over by the time Christmas arrives, so I'll think about all of you who are awaiting Santa with lots of compassion on Sunday night and Monday. Have a wonderful holiday, whichever one you celebrate, and if you don't celebrate anything, have a good weekend anyway.
You look gorgeous! Perfect colors, perfect knitting. You *should* be proud of yourself. Well done!
Posted by: Bron | 12/21/2006 at 02:07 PM
That is just lovely! Very pretty and flattering on your too. Happy Holidays Sharon!
Posted by: Karen | 12/21/2006 at 03:28 PM
It looks gorgeous!
And the colors are just right for you. It looks great on you. Good job!
Happy Holidays to you, too.
Posted by: Marika | 12/21/2006 at 03:47 PM
Why yes it was Collinette Jitterbug...I'm blaming you! Seriously that sweater is just awe inspiring, especially in person ;)
Posted by: kristi and otis | 12/21/2006 at 03:55 PM
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. You look great in it. And Merry Christmas to you and all of yours too
Posted by: Pat K | 12/21/2006 at 04:47 PM
I am drooling and screaming at the same time -- GORGEOUS! GORGEOUS! GORGEOUS! GORGEOUS!!!!!
Posted by: Gina | 12/21/2006 at 04:51 PM
Wow ! That's gorgeous. You look so beautiful. I love it !
Posted by: Emma. | 12/21/2006 at 05:00 PM
Yay, it's finally done and it's beautiful. That looks like a sweater that you'll be wearing a lot, so it was well worth all the time and pattern decoding!
Posted by: Susan | 12/21/2006 at 05:19 PM
It is awesome!!! Makes me want to knit one of her kits even more than I already do. DiCapo is my fav! You done good, fought the good fight and finished the race. Now go celebrate. Happy Holidays to you!
Posted by: Chris | 12/21/2006 at 05:43 PM
Wow, that is so beautiful Sharon! Perfect colors - it truly is amazing! Have the Merriest of Christmas' - enjoy, enjoy!
Posted by: Kat | 12/21/2006 at 06:42 PM
Wow. You done real good, honeybunny!
Posted by: Sarah | 12/21/2006 at 08:41 PM
absolutely stunning! and the sock ain't shabby either. i hear you have a wonderful photog. =0)
may you and yours have a new year filled w/ joy (and knitting.)
Posted by: susan | 12/21/2006 at 09:04 PM
Absolutely fabulous!! Have a wonderful holiday and a fantastic New Year.
Posted by: Jane | 12/21/2006 at 09:51 PM
That is simply beautiful, Sharon! Beautiful colors and all. Happy holidays to you and your family!
Posted by: Tam | 12/22/2006 at 01:21 AM
Lovely! Ballerina looks gorgeous - comfy - and the colors are beautiful on you! Hooray for such a great sweater finished and off the needles! It's time for me to find a sweater project for myself I think. OH. I do have one. Hm. I need another I think. hehe
Happy Holidays to you - hope things aren't too hectic and you enjoy having your family visiting. :)
Posted by: Laura | 12/22/2006 at 03:18 AM
Happy Holidays, Sharon, and enjoy your new sweater - it's lovely!
Posted by: Donna | 12/22/2006 at 06:59 AM
You have such grace, persistence and...oh yeah...the knitting mojo. I am always amazed at the range and breadth of the projects you accomplish. Great colorway choice too. It looks exquisite on you.
Makes me wanna be a sweater knitter like you!
Posted by: Susie | 12/22/2006 at 08:44 AM
Oh, that looks just wonderful on you! Congratulations -- a new sweater for the holidays.
Merry Christmas.
Posted by: Vicki | 12/22/2006 at 09:18 AM
Smashing!!!
Posted by: Vera | 12/22/2006 at 11:34 AM
gorgeous!!
Posted by: Kathleen | 12/22/2006 at 03:44 PM
It is perfect on you, Sharon! Just beautiful.
Merry Christmas and many blessings to you and your family!
Posted by: Lynne | 12/22/2006 at 04:02 PM
Sharon, you do such gorgeous work and have such a great smile, I sometimes forget that I haven't met you! I hope I can someday. :)
Many all-purpose blessings to you for the holidays and the new year...and be sure to give that adorable granddaughter an extra kiss from me!
Posted by: Susan (Plum Texan) | 12/22/2006 at 11:21 PM
Love the jacket. It's beautiful. Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Gail | 12/23/2006 at 12:59 AM
Oooh, that's lovely! In my next life I will knit adult-size things (other than hats, scarves and mittens/gloves). For now I stick to baby and kid sizes.
Oh, and the granddaughter a few posts down? Gorgeous--those eyes!
Thanks for the comment on my blog!
Posted by: Gretchen | 12/24/2006 at 03:21 PM
You look fabulous! Nice job. Nothing quite like an FO that fits AND flatters.
Posted by: Julia | 12/24/2006 at 11:24 PM
It looks great on you! Merry Christmas!!!
Posted by: monica | 12/25/2006 at 02:29 PM
Sharon, that definitely turned out quite nicely! I have never tried a HF knit, but will probably do so someday! Hope you had a great Christmas.
Posted by: marti | 12/26/2006 at 12:05 PM
Wowsa! Sharon that sweater has such a gorgeous drape! I would love to make something that shape for me, too. The color choices you made are beautiful too, and the curved lines of colors comeing together are so graceful! I may not make this exact pattern, but it is inspiring me... I have some Lynnabelle colorway from Colorjoy coming for my first sweater... yum....
Diana (LynnH's sis-in-law)
Posted by: Diana | 12/26/2006 at 03:52 PM
yay it's beautiful. what an amazing jacket and it looks wonderful on you. the colors are gorgeous.
Posted by: lynette | 12/26/2006 at 11:32 PM