August 21, 2011
Fancy Schmancy
So a few months ago, I was at work and the new Rowan magazine had come in. (Issue 49)
Before I even opened the magazine, I knew what I wanted to make. Not the front cover garment, but the one on the back cover.
Fancy.
Love at first sight. I immediately picked out the yarn, Kidsilk Haze in "Heavenly", and there it sat for a little while until I'd finished some of the projects already on the needles.
And while it was eventually cast on, it wasn't a quick knit. For a variety of reasons - it wasn't any good for knitting in company, so it didn't come along to work, or to knitting groups. When we went away on holiday for a week, I didn't take it along, it was a little too complex for car knitting. And I just don't get as much time to knit as I used to!
But eventually, it was done.
And the love hasn't diminished.
Specs:
Pattern: Fancy by Erika Knight, published in Rowan 49.
Yarn: Kidsilk Haze in Heavenly, 4 balls, purchased at Calico & Ivy, Balmain.
Size: Small
Needles: 3.5mm
Mods: None. I had to go down to a 3.5mm needle to get the correct tension, the pattern calls for 4.5mm. Everything else was done exactly to the pattern.
It's not an easy pattern, but it wasn't too bad. Having said that, I love lace, and I love complex knitting. Your mileage may vary! It's a four row repeat, one of which is a plain knit row, but there are lots of K5 together, make 5 in one, that sort of thing. And you need to be able to keep track of your lace patterning while shaping.
Have I mentioned that I love it? And I love, love, love Kidsilk Haze. It's like knitting with a cloud - and the jumper is surprisingly warm considering how light it is.
A pattern appropriately named Fancy, knit in a yarn shade called Heavenly. What's not to love?!?
Posted by Donna at August 21, 2011 12:19 AMComments
That is beautiful, Donna.
Posted by: Lynne at August 21, 2011 09:04 AMLove it!
Posted by: Suzanne at August 21, 2011 09:23 AMIt is so lovely! A gorgeous pattern and beautiful knitting!
Posted by: RoseRed at August 21, 2011 09:35 AMAbsolutely gorgeous! However long it took to finish, it was worth the wait!
Posted by: Marlena at August 21, 2011 10:33 AMoh dear me, that it GORGEOUS! lovely colour.
5-into-1/K5tog sounds horrific, glad it was worth it!!
Posted by: kgirlknits at August 21, 2011 10:38 AMThe colour is just gorgeous. And I'm sure you're underplaying how difficult the shaping down the armholes actually is ...
It looks so great on you irl too..
Gorgeous & you look great. I love the stitch pattern but knitting it all over the cardigan is a lot of work.
Posted by: Ann at August 21, 2011 12:29 PMGorgeous gorgeous!
Posted by: Restless Knitter at August 21, 2011 01:55 PMoh Donna, that is really really lovely. Well done.
Posted by: Sheridan at August 21, 2011 02:05 PMIt looks amazing, but I'm glad you mentioned the Knit 5 together - that is enough to deter me!
Posted by: Ingrid at August 21, 2011 05:37 PMLOVE!
Posted by: Melissa at August 21, 2011 06:31 PMIt's just beautiful and looks fabulous on you.
Posted by: Sue at August 21, 2011 07:23 PMI agree with everyone else LOVE
gorgeous and even more so in the flesh!!!
Posted by: missfee at August 22, 2011 01:17 PMLOVELY!!! The shape, the stitch ... everything is just beautiful!
Posted by: Tia at August 23, 2011 10:30 AMits just so perfectly you. the colour and pattern and everything. beautiful!
Posted by: drk at August 23, 2011 02:17 PMAbsolutely beautiful! And the color looks great on you as well. I can't wait until it's cool enough here to start wearing my handknits.
Posted by: Rusty M at August 24, 2011 10:02 AMFancy is just beautiful. Lovely work. Lovely sweater.
Posted by: Patty at August 29, 2011 03:27 PM
Absolutely beautiful. I love the close up of your stitches.
Posted by: Chery at August 21, 2011 01:59 AM