Pattern: #25 Jacke in Apricot, Rebecca #27 (size 34″/36″ bust)
Materials: Sz 6 needles, Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece Pinka-Boo (3.5 skeins), Plain Jane Buttons (6)
Mods: Lengthened the sleeves by 5cm to account for my really long arms.
Notes: This is one fitted sweater, not snug-I-can’t breathe, but fitted. I’ve used Brown Sheep’s cotton fine yarn before, and after each wear the sweater just gets looser and looser. I’m hoping it’s the same case with their Cotton Fleece. I want it just a tinge roomier. This pattern is an easy knit - considering all others who have gone before me have already figured out the kinks and Rebecca’s coo-coo translations. Since this baby knits up so quickly, I’m contemplating knitting another one for Fall in wool. Then again, we’ll have to see about that. The first time when I cro-shayed the front bands, I looped the yarn abit too tightly and had to rip it out. Good thing that slip stitch and chain stitch didn’t take that long to do (wow.. I’m speaking crochet). Actually, dare I say it, it was quite enjoyable. Finishing a sweater reminded me what a bitch the seaming process is. The fit-in sleeves, the mattress stitch… the markings.. the pinning.. No wonder it’s been that long since I made a sweater.
…. aside…..So, you know how your body kinda swells up and you feel like a beluga right before that specific time every month? That’s how I felt the entire time I was trying to take a decent shot. And that poor indoor lighting doesn’t help crap, but I was too eager to post the FO that I just forged ahead. So there you go, the infamous Jacke Apricot.. or as I like to call it in this picture…The Stuffed Sausage Jacket.

Look no further people, cuz I kidnapped the knitting fairy. After fiddling around with the Barf Opal without success, I rolled it up and threw it to the side so it can evaluate what it had done wrong. Then it suddenly occurred to me :”When was the last time I showed a finished knitting sweater on this blog?” Too damn long ago that’s when! Armed with my Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece and the whacked out Rebecca pattern, I summoned the knitting fairy and told her that she needs to sprinkle some magic dust in this household. Voila! This baby started knitting itself last friday night and magically finished in 5 days. 5 days people! That’s a piece a day. Holy cow, they don’t call her the knitting fairy for nuthin’. So that’s a little preview before the seaming party this weekend. Hm, need to summon the seaming fairy too. Heck, I even got some buttons. So which one do you think will work better? Yea I know this indoor lighting is crap for true colors.. but you get the idea. (The sizes are about the same.. just so you know)

Now some of you may wonder: “It’s already Fall. What the hell is she doing with a summer sweater? She must be on crack!”. That’s right my friends. Come on, we’re in L.A - Land of Hollywood and Fake Everything. It’s all about the looks here. Fashion ladies, not function. My titties may be freezing, but I’ll look hot! (okay.. you may all boo now. I totally deserve that).

Pattern: Lucky Clover Lace Wrap (size Small)from SNB Nation
Duration: March 1 2005 to April 24 2005 (off and on)
Materials: Brown Sheep Cotton Fine in Victorian Pink
Notes: For those of you who are going to seam this little sucker, seam the shoulders, sleeves and sides (I also seamed the waist band to the sides together in one go) first. Make the neck band, then sew it to about 2″ away from the part where you connected the front and sleeve, then mattress stitch 2-3 sts from the front pieces to 1 st from the neck band. This allows the neck band to gather to a V-neck. **What I did was I wore the wrap, then threw the band over my shoulders and safety-pinned 3-4″ sections (band to sweater) depending on how I want the v-neck to look. Then I stitched it accordingly.** Continue this stitch method until you arrive to the other front piece, then mattress stitch every 1 st from the body piece to 1 st of the neck band. Trust me, I learned it the HARD way… unless you wanted a boatneck wrap sweater..
What I would have done different if I knew then what I know now: Make sleeves and body pieces longer. Cuz that’s how I like it. But this is fine too, and NO, I am not making another one.
After thought: Granted this is not the best seaming the modern civiliazation has seen, but it’s my first sweater, and it’s 1000% me. Yes, 1000%.
** - Editted content

Unblocked and Unseamed

So I have finished knitting the last sleeve, and at this point, I pretty much consider the knitting done. The 62″ + 18″ of straps will be completed at a later time. Let me tell you, this little sucker tested the limit of my patience. I have knitting ADD. yes, i admit. I am glad that I started the back piece first, cuz that was the biggest piece and allowed me to get into the rhythm of the clover lace pattern. The front and back pieces were fun, because I had to keep track of alot of “at the same time” instructions that kept me alert. I thought that by the time I got to the sleeves, they would just knit themselves up in no time. Wrong. Surprisingly, the last stretch of knitting took me the longest. I think it’s like running a marathon, first 20 miles you’re fine (well relatively speaking), but when you get to the last 6.2 miles, ugh…. running towards a tunnel that has no end.


I caved in and purchased a SewEZ blocking board on Joann, and put in the order 2 1/2 weeks ago. Yes, I’m being precise with my time calculation. The estimated delivery time was 2-3 weeks. I was informed yesterday that the item is still in order and the email did not mention any ETA. patience… is not my virtue. Come on, the sweater is ready to be blocked… where the hell is the friggin’ board? I even got the blocking pins ready. I guess I’ll just use those pins as darts and aim it at Joann.com….. ok, maybe not. But I ain’t blocking nothing until that board is in my apt.