Sunday, October 07, 2007

drops asymmetrical jacket

Finally finished! The knitting went VERY quickly, but this jacket took forever to dry, and then I had to sew on the buttons, which proved to be an exercise in creative problem solving since I knit the thing WITHOUT BUTTONHOLES. I don't actually read through patterns before I start to knit. I should, but I don't. (This bad habit comes from the days when I was just learning to read knitting patterns and all those abbreviations were so intimidating that I decided I would just start knitting anyway and when I got to something I didn't know, then I would look it up. I never kicked the habit.) Now, the whole time I was knitting, I was thinking about how I had a patterned shirt that would match perfectly with the plum yarn and what shoes might look good with that and hey, what if I got some big leather buttons to match my leather shoes that match the shade of tan in the patterned shirt, yeah that's the ticket...so even without reading ahead in the pattern, I knew this jacket was supposed to have buttonholes. For the buttons I was dreaming up the whole time. Yet, in my fervor I completely forgot to pay attention to these things known as "details" and I knit the whole thing right up without buttonholes. Giant DUH. I sewed in three crocheted loops instead. I also hid some small buttons on the inside to keep the collar from shifting.

I knit the bulkier version of the pattern. About that reading ahead...right...I didn't even notice it was written in two gauges until I had already cast on for the bulky version. I liked how quickly it knit up, that's for sure, but I'm tempted to knit this pattern again in the smaller gauge and in a more subtle color, since I bet I would go from liking it to REALLY liking it. But I'm not really one to knit the same thing more than once. For this jacket, I used 7 skeins of Berkshire Bulky in "plum" on size 10.75 needles. I almost got away with 6 skeins for the medium size, but needed a little extra to seam the thing up. I really like the Berkshire Bulky. It's soft, affordable, and comes in some really beautiful colors. The sheep smell was atrocious when I blocked it, and I'll have to see how it wears, but I think I'd use this yarn again. And I blocked the garment after I seamed it. I usually block the pieces first, then seam, but I have to re-block so often that I thought I'd wing it this time and just seam it up, then block it once. It seemed to work out just fine. Ok, I have to go take this sweater off, pronto. It's still summer weather here in the Northeast and one other thing about Berkshire Bulky--the wool/angora blend is warm!! But if fall ever shows up, I'll be wearing this jacket a lot!

50 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, it came out so cute! I'm knitting the same sweater right now and I totally hear you on the reading pattern thing. I've been burned so many times, that I've actually started to get better about it, but still make goofs now and then. Eeh, what are you going to do?

7:48 PM  
Blogger kelli ann said...

looks so great! I am knitting this in a similar color. love your buttons!

9:41 PM  
Blogger a friend to knit with said...

jenna, i LOVE it.....
love how creative you were in crocheting the loops.....which fit those beautiful buttons perfectly!
the color is fantastic, and look perfect with that shirt!!!
I would be wearing this as my "coat" everyday....as soon as it starts to get cold.

10:17 PM  
Blogger genie marie said...

wowee!! this is just beautiful and I love, love, love the color!

10:20 PM  
Blogger knitting harvest said...

Fantastic jacket! I love the color and the buttonholes and buttons turned out well. I've added the pattern to my Ravelry queue.

10:27 PM  
Blogger Team Knit said...

It's SO gorgeous! The leather buttons were a great choice, it really adds something to the jacket.

10:30 PM  
Blogger Annie said...

Just today I bought yarn to make this very jacket! (the smaller gauge) Yours looks great and gives me hope that it really will turn out and be cool. Sometimes the pattern photos can be so deceiving.... I love yours and it looks fantastic!

10:54 PM  
Blogger monkeybusiness said...

Brilliant! The sweater is beautiful, and I totally didn't realize that there was a worsted weight pattern as well. I love the look of yours on bulky yarn, but my stash is brimming with worsted weight I could use. I am starting this sweater tonight!

11:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is so gorgeous, and your solution with the crochet loops looks fantastic. You make such lovely things!

11:49 PM  
Blogger schrodinger said...

Niiiiice!! Glad you fixed the button issue.

12:06 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beautifully done! It's a pretty color on you!

1:09 AM  
Blogger Elizabeth said...

Such a gorgeous sweater! I love the color- and the buttons!

1:43 AM  
Blogger reluctantMANGO said...

Lovely jacket! I've been swatching for this one too... trying to find the perfect yarn from my stash for the lighter version. Hope mine comes out as pretty as yours!

6:07 AM  
Blogger mel said...

It looks terrific!! What a great knit :) I've been eyeballing this jacket too, it's so flattering. Great job!

7:44 AM  
Blogger margaux said...

love the jacket! i'm also a non-read ahead pattern woman. or rather i read the same section about 10 times and therefore have no other energy to read ahead... this is beaufiul. love the buttons too!

9:29 AM  
Blogger krazybarrister said...

yes, it's been too damn hot hereabouts! how is one supposed to enjoy fall knits? ;)

it's loverly, as your works always are.

10:01 AM  
Blogger spajonas said...

it turned out great despite the lack of buttonholes :) hhmmm, i'm wondering if you could put buttonholes in with a sewing machine? or you may like those sewn button loops that ysolda makes better than the crochet ones. just a thought.

10:21 AM  
Blogger KODACHROME said...

This is such a beautiful jacket, and the color is super. I've had this jacket in my Ravelry queue, and now I'm even more excited to get to it. Thanks also for the heads-up re: the two different gauge directions. I probably wouldn't have noticed that either before beginning.

Cheers!

10:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh it is just as gorgeous as I expected it to be! I printed out the pattern last night - have some Jaeger extrafine merino in DK in a lovely biscuit color and have been scratching my head trying to figure out (1) how to adjust the gauge for the Silke/Alpaca version and (2) whether this fine a yarn would still knit up a pretty DROPS. Guess I'll just pick up a larger needle and hope for the best. Because I just cannot not do this jacket and a heavier yarn just won't do for the gulf coast.
Great work, Jenna. It looks fo fab on you and I think you're too clever with your crocheted loops idea.

10:48 AM  
Blogger jillian said...

Gorgeous! Love the buttons too. And that color is great on you!

11:27 AM  
Blogger Kelley said...

I love the jacket! It looks great on you.

12:26 PM  
Blogger Jenn said...

Beautiful! I do the same thing with patterns. I think I'm all set, and then all of a sudden, bam. Great improvisation!

12:34 PM  
Blogger Sarah said...

Hi, I just found your blog and your jacket is beautiful! I'm making the same thing actually, so I'll remember to put in the button holes!

12:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

oh wow, it's beautiful! dammit, i had just decided not to knit this, even though i love the pattern, and now i see yours. not helping! ;-)

love the plum colour. must google plum yarn right now.

1:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gorgeous. Must knit that sweater. Feel a bit intimidated though... did you have trouble with the pattern (other than not reading through it?).

1:38 PM  
Blogger jenna said...

I didn't have much trouble with the pattern. Didn't make any modifications or anything.

1:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The jacket is beautiful, and I really like your choice of colour. Thinking of knitting it myself. Just knows that the yarn (Eskimo) that's used for the bulky version tends to get a bit wooly. Though your jacket doesn't seem to do that. Would really like a quick project:)

2:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think it is stunning and I love the improvised crotched loop button holes and also how you put buttons inside the collar to hold it in place. The finishing details really make it look just beautiful.

4:08 PM  
Blogger Debora said...

It is beautiful. I love the color and the wooden buttons. It's funny how something as simple as buttons can make or break a knitted project.

4:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is sooooooo pretty! I love how you modified the button area. THe loops are a great idea!

5:13 PM  
Blogger carrie said...

can't even tell you how many times i've done something like that. i've definitely made at least one sweater without buttonholes. but you recovered beautiful! i love this pattern so much.

11:16 PM  
Blogger Stacey said...

that came out amazing! the color is beautiful!!! hopefully it still doesn't smell like sheep!

9:00 AM  
Blogger Jillian said...

It looks great! I think this is the encouragement I needed to finish the last sleeve of my jacket!

10:33 AM  
Blogger lekkercraft said...

I do the exact same thing with patterns... just doing the instructions as they come up. I'm just getting started on my cardigan, so thanks for the heads up!

12:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow! You did a fantastic Job!!! The color is perfect for you!

3:31 PM  
Blogger Lisa said...

Wow it is beautiful!

8:50 AM  
Blogger Lolly said...

Beautiful beautiful result! so stylish too. I know you are waiting for the cool temps just like I am :)

10:04 AM  
Blogger moosie said...

That look gorgeous, and you hair always looks great too! :0)

your my inspiration to knit for myself and not just for gifts

2:04 AM  
Blogger Marianne said...

It feels like I'm reading my own blogpost all over again ! I made exactly the same fault with the buttonholes, it took forever to dry and found out about the thinner version after I had cast on.
But yours looks great ! Love the color :-)

2:13 AM  
Blogger pamela wynne said...

I've already said this on Flickr and Ravelry, but it's lovely!! I'm knitting a second one, too. :)

4:28 PM  
Blogger Casey said...

Your jacket is so pretty! The button hole thing sounds just like something I'd do! Great fix- it looks awesome.

12:41 AM  
Blogger Carol said...

How pretty! And you solved the buttonhole dilemma very nicely.

11:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! I think the bulky version looks great. And you're right, the floral pattern on your shirt is complements the sweater perfectly.

6:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stunning! Glad to see the hard core knitters still at it. With pieces like this it's hard to believe that anyone would give this up.

9:58 PM  
Blogger lomester said...

The color looks fantastic on you - and i think the improvised buttons turned out so charming!

12:07 PM  
Blogger melissa said...

so pretty! nice save with the button loops! forgetting the buttonholes is something i would totally do, as i rarely read through whole patterns.

i started this sweater this past week too.

5:32 PM  
Blogger bjl said...

love the leather buttons- great call.

9:52 PM  
Blogger Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

Fabulous knit! Fits you beautifully.

4:34 PM  
Blogger Knitting Up A Storm said...

That's beautiful!! I just the buttons & color you chose for it! Who doesn't like fast knits?

6:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to knit that! I have seen some other people knitting it and every time I think it's a must for my long list. The buttons give it even more class, well done. I imagine a lot of people will be doing this one after seeing yours.

3:50 PM  

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