On a roll

Finally finshed up the Embrace sweater - and it has been a love-hate relationship. Love the pattern, hate the yarn (it's one of those ten strand rolled type that looks pretty when knit, yet it splits while you're knitting it and pills upon completion:-P )

The color is a deep chocolate, best depicted here:

I love the way the fronts curl and twirl.

and the cuffs and hem are rolled as well. These are features of some of my most comfy sweaters ever.

What I didn't care for is that it is not nearly as "long" on the sides and back as depicted in the photos. sigh. I was precise about following the pattern, and made the obvious assumption that the photo acurately showed the way an appropriate size would fit the model (heh heh.. you know what they say about assumptions.... ahem)

here's what others have made  Embrace    and here's what the model in the book looks like: 

well, let's just say, I won't be modeling this one for awhile. (maybe the issue is that I need to be built like a twig? nahhhh.. that can't be it ;-)

Yet despite the fuss, I do love wearing it. It is cozy, comfy, floppy and warm. It will be a perfect cuddle-up-with-a-book on a chilly day sweater.

 

 

And here's a small photo of the completed Twisted Vines scarf -

highly recommend this one (with Zauberball yarn) luv it.

 

 

 

And, while the needles are still warm, I cast on for a new project. (one I have been fawning over for a year or so now) It's Amy Swenson's Cloud Chaser Vest. (cables... ahhh... swoon..) 

The yarn I am using is from my stash, a merino silk blend from Alchemy Yarns. The color is a rich red wine.

This is a most unusally constructed vest, the sides are stitches picked up from the back, and then knit horizonatally. I love these great designs. Here's what it looks like : 

 

 

Last, yet by far not least, my Mom is still in the hospital. They have been trying most everything to reduce all the pain she has from her fall last summer, and I think that today they might be making a bit of headway. (fingers crossed) The physical therapists have her walking the hall once and sometimes twice now (yay) and she's been a good mommy, and eating her chocolate ice cream first (like I told her to!) (the fact that she is now eating again is huge progress... three steps forward, two back - yet baby steps of preogress are being made.

It's a difficult time to hold her spirits high within those clincial hospital walls - and we all appreciate the healing thoughts and prayers that you all have been sending. Keep 'em comin. (and thank you)

Comments

[margene]

So, so many healing thoughts are headed to your Mom! Why do the people who photograph the sweaters do their best to deceive us? The model was probably the size of a 4 year old.

[Carole]

It's so frustrating that they don't accurately show a knitted item when it's being modeled. I'm all for artsy shots but I think there should be useful ones as well.
Sorry that your mom is still not feeling well. I'm hoping things are going to turn around for her this time.

[Lorette]

I think knitting designers should be required to show straight front and back shots of finished sweaters so we can see what they look like. In my mind, that's why Ravelry is such a great resource. We can see what those fancy sweaters are going to look like on real bodies.

Sending good healing thoughts for your mom...

[Chris]

Sending more healing thoughts to your mom!

And what the heck - anorexic model leaning backwards...

[Ruinwen]

I'm sorry the sweater didn't meet your expectations. I find that most of the time I have to *tweak* a pattern to work with my long torso and lack of chest.

Enjoy the Alchemy...it is my favorite type of yarn. Your cables are so lovely. :)

Still sending prayers and reiki to your Mom. Sending *a big hug* to you.
:)