Friday, November 17, 2006

Just follow the damned pattern, ok??

A few weeks ago I was frantically bidding for four balls of Mystical Creations Wool and Silk yarn in a dutch auction on ebay. Ebay being what it is, I ended up with THREE balls of a lovely color called Green Mountain-a mix of hunter, lime and sage. (Who is the bozo that got that fourth ball, and what do they plan to make with that 170 yards, anyhow? What do they know that I don't??)

The yarn is a wonderful mix of colors, texture, and glow-but I had no idea what to do with the 510 yards I won. After some surfing, I found the Merino Stripes Curved Vest pattern at Crystal Palace yarns. I've been working on it steadily since Monday evening. I was flummoxed when I read the directions-I'm a bit challenged without a schematic-but here it is, five rows from the buttonholes.


I am absolutely certain that this is the right type of pattern for this variegated thick and thin yarn. But now that I am ALMOST done, I can see spots where I could improve this pattern a little. The upper back is knit first, and truthfully, I would like to see that with a little shaping. I should quit quibbling about it and just finish the vest-I can do it again, it's not hard, I NEED TO STOP OBSESSING ABOUT IT, right? Just finish the damned thing!

FO photo soon. This type of pattern is absolutely perfect for Mr. Joe Sangria that Elann had a month or so ago, or any stripey yarn. I am working the smallest size, and I think I'll have exactly enough yarn.

8 comments:

LisaW. said...

Bets that yarn is really pretty. Love the green combo. Will the vest be a keeper for you or will you gift it on down the road? Re: pattern improvements..yeah dontcha hate it when you are almost done and think "this would be better if..." because then it torments you. A plastic surgeon I used to work with gave me memorable advice for life in general that I think applies to knitting situations. "The enemy of GOOD is BETTER!" that and "all bleeding stops (one way or another)" are my words to live by. Have a great day and can't wait to see the FO!

smariek said...

Beautiful colors in that yarn! And thanks for the link to the pattern. Is it really that easy? I'm looking for a first vest project. Mom wants a vest. Oh the pressure! lol. I've never done anything that large/complicated before...

Bets, you're such an enabler ... just what I need, more yarn! I wish that Mister Joe came in more than that one purple color...

Anonymous said...

Oooh, Bets, now I see why you fell in love with that yarn color! Great pattern choice for it. I'd be interested in your adaptations because I have some CTH that might work for this. Is this for DMIL or you? You can wear this color with a nice white shirt. ;-}

junior_goddess said...

The enemy of Good is Better! HAHAHA! Marie, Joe came in other colors (about 5, as I recall) but some of us are really piggy knitters.) This is a simple to knit pattern-assuming you can knit on a circular needle (don't worry, it's flat, but you need the needle for length) and can increase and decrease. You strike me as a competent knitter!

Benne, I am not sure who it will go to-me or DMIL. If it blocks out huge, I have a friend who would ADORE it. DMIL is still making hints for something green that she can wear jade jewelry with. This is plenty green, but it looks a little folksy, and I don't know if her jewelry is chunky or not.

As far as modifications, this is made starting with a rectangle which is the upper back. I would do a few decreases on each edge to make it curve in, and then add them back in gradually so that everything is back on pattern track when you cast on more stitches for the sides.

Anonymous said...

I wrote a nice comment that blogger ate. Those greens were worth the bigging war. I could get down with greens if more looked like that.

How many yards of Sangria would I need? I await an FO pic!

CatBookMom said...

Lovely! I'm heading over to Straw.com to check out the patttern. And here I never thought I'd find a Crystal Palace pattern that didn't involve floofy yarns. LOL!

Maus said...

LOL, I think I'm the bozo who got that one skein of green (giggle). This ALWAYS happens to me, what idiots bid on ONE skein if I want all 4?!? Anyway, the one green is in my woven scarf together with 3 (guess why 3...) very similar but not quite that color green.
Great vest!

junior_goddess said...

Thank you maus-I thought about changing that when she told me she was going to link-but then I decided that it wasn't ENTIRELY rude-because it assumes everyone is smarter than me. Which they probably are!