I showed Steve a picture of this sweater pattern and said - see - isn't it beautiful! I'm going to knit it with this fluffy yarn.
He Said: I don't think you should knit that. I don't think it will look good.
She Said: Nothing (she's a smart lady) and knit it anyway. Because it would feel good.
Therein lies the differences between the sexes. Most men are visually oriented and most women are feelings oriented. Even if I ended up looking like I was wearing something that the cat spat up I would be happy lounging about the house in it. Paramount to me is how will it feel. Will I like putting it on? Will I feel like flouncing about the house it in? Yes yes yes!!! I love it. I even think it looks good, but then I'm bias.
Between you and me, Mr Puffy had told me in private that he thought it would both look good and feel good. Mr Puffy has such good instincts.
This is an extremely basic sweater design by Kim Hargreaves but she makes it special with two of what I think are her signature design features. Shaping and finishing detail. This sweater is designed to be form fitting with a relaxed yet elegant appearance. The elegance is achieved with the beautiful filigree neckline.
While it is a very basic knit, but there are several small things that I did to help the "finished" sweater have a polished look, rather than making me look like a purple polar bear. First, I ignored the advice to do a gentle steam block. Instead, I did a full wet block and while it was still wet I used my hands to press the fabric into a flat smooth surface. I did that several times during the course of the drying. I think this helped the fabric have a nice sheen, open the stitches, and lay flat. Second, once it was sewn together, I did a targeted steam block of the neckline to encourage it to lay flat rather than allowing the fabric to follow the natural roll of the stockinette.
It's a warm material (heavy gauge mohair/silk) however the open stitch work keeps it light and comfortable to wear. Even here in sunny Southern California.
Particulars: Calm; HEARTFELT The Dark House Collection by Kim Hargreaves; 5 skeins Rowan Kidsilk Aura; Needles: US 10; 10.5; & 11.
Mr Puffy Update
Mr Puffy is a miracle of modern medicine! He continues to bring joy and love into our lives. It's amazing how well he has responded to the chemo medication. I wanted to show you him running like the wind on the sand.... but it's hard to capture that.
I do better with still life.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season and may I recommend Calm after the storm of activity. Whether your calm is a soft sweater or a nice cup of hot cocoa ~ enjoy. Until next time be well, love well, and happy knitting.
40 comments:
Mr. Puffy's instincts were right on - the sweater looks beautiful. Glad he's doing so well, too - from the pictures, he looks like one happy beagle.
Claudia, it looks gorgeous on you! You were right to knit it anyway! :o)
I'm so happy for Mr. Puffy!
I am glad you took Mr. Puffy's advice as the pullover turned out beautiful! It is good to see him doing so well! I hope your vacation was pure bliss and that you are relaxed and happy.
I love Kim Hargreaves designs! Her simplicity lends to the overall elegance of her patterns. I don't know why but I think of Susan Hayward in the movie Backstreet when she used all small letters in her shop and on stationery and it was all so chic! I love it and can't wait to see what's next on the menu for you!
Because I'm a truly basic kinda girl, that sweater pattern really appeals to me! Raglan style is easy to knit, and yes, the neckline does provide excellent detailing. Brava!
I'm pleased to hear how well Mr. Puffy is responding to treatments!
she was so right...so lovely...so beautiful.
so sorry he was wrong ;)
and that miracle boy...give him a kiss from me!
Gorgeous, gorgeous sweater!! Love it!! And it looks fantastic on you. I guess "he" may have to have humble pie for dinner.
It is so beautiful, it could be my favorite thing you've made, that and the beige lacy ribbon yarn sweater.
Congrats! Murielle
Claudia, the sweater is beautiful and done in that yarn, even a little sexy :) It looks wonderfully soft and I can see why Pull likes it so much :) I am just recovering from my first week of work Ugh! What can I say.
Isn't it funny how we women like to 'flounce'? I'm in my sixties and still like to flounce! I have 'Heartfelt' and will have to study it more carefully now that you say it's the details that make a Kim Hargreaves pattern. Back when I sewed, it was the details that made Vogue Patterns special. "Calm" looks terrific on you. I wish I had those finishing skills. It is also terrific to see how well Mr. Puffy is doing. Running brings out a whole new side to his personality. Just like a puppy!
Ursula
What a beautiful sweater! And I'm so glad to hear Mr. Puffy is still doing well.
You were so right. Soft, comfortable and gorgeous on you!!
Steve meant well, but was definitely wrong in about this knit.
Run like the wind Mr Puffy, enjoy yourself. :)
Oh, that's a very very lovely sweater. I really like that ethereal loosely woven look.
Regarding Mr. Puffy -- sometimes modern medicine is just great!
Well I'm sorry but Steve was wrong - it looks fabulous! And perfect for CA. You're so thin I don't think it would be possible for you to look like a purple polar bear, lol! The sweater is beautiful and it looks wonderful on you.
So so so glad Mr. Puffy is doing so well - he looks so happy on the beach!
Yay for Mr. Puffy for dealing with the chemo in a good way. I have to agree with Mr. Puffy too, he does have excellent taste in sweaters, it looks fantastic on you.
Arn't you glad you went ahead and did it anyway...it's a great fit and pattern for you.
Give Mr.Puffy a pat for me, I'm so glad he's feeling well.
It's stunning! It's looks great, and looks so comfy too. It would be perfect for our climate - just to take the chill of. Hmmm, there may need to be some copying here :) I'm so glad to hear that Mr. P is responding so well to his treatment. Yay!
i think it's a GORGEOUS sweater and super-bonus for comfy-ness!
so glad to hear that mr puffy is still doing well! how wonderful.
I had wonderful things I wanted to say about that sweater, but then you dazzled me with Mr Puffy, enjoying the beach, and all other thoughts left my head. It's wonderful to see him looking so spry! Please slip him a treat, a hug and a smooch from me.
Thank you ALL for your sweet and supportive comments ~ my readers are my on-line family and Mr Puffy and I appreciate each of you.
Ursual, may neither of us ever stop flouncing - LOL
Mr Puffy was definitely right - well, I can't say how it feels, but it does look adorable! And I'm so glad to hear he's doing ok.
Mr. Puffy looks great, glad to see him running along, it made me smile. That being said, I agree with you. I saw the first photo of your sweater and thought "ummmmm soft and wonderful", I love it, and it looks great on you as always.
Take care
Vicki
I like the sweater, it's beautiful and it's YOU. The the "he said" anyway and feed him regularly. :)
River
I am so happy that Mr. Puffy is doing well. He certainly looks like he has a wonderful time romping on the beach. Also, he has impeccable taste in style. Your newly finished sweater is gorgeous and you wear it very well.
It's a gorgeous sweater!! What do men know anyway?? LOL I'm sure it feels great, but it's very flattering on you too!
I loved seeing the photos of Mr. Puffy, I'm so glad he is doing well.
C, your calm sweater is gorgeous! i love how it's so light yet very warm. I want to knit everything you knit - think it's because you look so great in the clothes. i love seeing a healthy and happy Mr. Puffy running on the sand - makes me want to join him.
Well, I hope Steve has eaten his words because this sweater looks fabulous! The neckline is so, so pretty and it looks so light, yet cozy at the same time. Great job, as usual!!
LOVE IT!!!!! I am currently about 60% through a similar Kim H sweater in Kidsilk Haze. Yours makes me uber-excited to finish it.
Did you have trouble seaming with KSH? I'm worried about how easy it will be to sew the pieces together.
Mr P is looking happy - and that makes everyone happy :)
Amanda has asked a great question about seaming. I was also asked this question by someone on Ravelry so decided to respond here in the comments as well as emailing Amanda directly.
When you look at the pictures you will see that there is a heavy seam line joining the body and arms. The seam joining the body could easily have been eliminated by knitting in the round. So why didn't I? Because the arm joining seams are unavoidable, and, I made the decision that the seaming was rather like a design feature element. Purely a personal preference decision.
I seamed this with the mattress stitch which is what I use for all my finishing work (except when setting in sleeves).
I hope that helps. Leave a comment if you have any questions!
Your sweater is beautiful! My husband once told me a sweater wouldn't work for me, and I didn't listen either. Although in my story, he ended up being right.
I'm glad Mr. Puffy is doing well with treatment.
Mr. Puffy knows best! ;o) And look at him running!! Oh, that is a very happy sight to see. :o) So glad he is going so good and responding so well to treatments--he is a wonder-dog! The sweater is lovely, Claudia. It looks good, and even from just photos, we can almost feel that softness of the yarn. I like uncomplicated, elegant lines, so this sweater I heart. Going with the gut, the feeling is always a sure thing... Poor Steve, though... look what he's missing out on! ;o) Happy Days, my friend ((HUGS))
Gorgeous sweater! You are such an accomplished knitter it is no surprise that you knew that sweater would be beautiful and cozy when finished :)
So glad Mr. Puffy is doing so well. Happy New Year!
This sweater so suits you...it's beautiful. I love seeing Mr. Puffy running down the beach, ears flying behind him. He's a wonderdog!
You look gorgeous in it. But then I think you might look gorgeous in a potato sack.
No doubt MR Gorgeous ate humble pie.
Beautifully simple. Simply beautiful.
Gorgeous sweater, Claudia! (Sorry Steve, you were just plain wrong this time.)
Mr P is not only a paragon of good taste, but an inspiration to us all of how to live life!
LOVE IT! It is gorgeous! I must get that book. Kim Hargreaves has amazing designs.
The sweater is beautiful! You would never know that it was handmade, (not that shopbought is better or anything, you know what i mean!) Thanks for your comment, you are clearly an accomplished knitter, you're inspiring me to pick up the sticks for (yet) another try!
What a lovely, classic sweater. I'm sure it will quickly become a favorite. It looks fabulous on you.
Mortal men would due well to listen to Mr. Puffy and his infinite wisdom. That is one purr-worthy piece of pretty.
Give Mr. Puffy a hug from me and tell him Remy sends his best.
Your sweater is fabulous, love it. As for Mr Puffy, I'm so happy to see him feeling good!
This is absolutely beautiful! I'm glad you ignored Steve¬
I think it's sweet that you even consulted Steve. Goodness knows, I would never ask Dan his opinion. He knows very little about fashion and the joy of knitting.
Good on you to go with your instincts and knit the sweater anyway. It looks great, very dreamy and romantic.
It's good to see Mr Puffy looking so happy!
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