I am in love with this sweater. I think it will be getting a lot of use in it’s lifetime as the yarn is soft and the sweater fits pretty well. The sleeves…OH the SLEEVES! I love them. They definitely make the sweater. Rebecca does have good details added to their sweaters, even if the instructions are impossible to decipher.
Yarn: GGH Samoa
Inspiration: Rebecca 27 Apricot Jacket
Needles: Size 7
Yardage: 11 balls
Modifications: Shortened sleeves and overall length of pieces by 5cm. No buttons, used hook and eye instead as the closure
Enjoyment Factor:8
- The Good:
- This project only cost $25 bucks and I knit from my Stash!! I bought this yarn from the Yarn Lady Sale this year so it hasn’t been in there long, but it was still stash
- The details on this sweater are wonderful. I was petting myself the entire day on the first wear
- I am in love with the sleeves. They are definitely my favorite part of the sweater, especially where it comes together at the seams, just lovely
- The Bad:
- Oh my GOSH!!! this pattern sucks! If it had not been for those who came before me I would have surely given up on this stupid pattern a long time ago.
- I hate pattern that tell you to mirror the other side when making a right or left side. I cannot envision what they are asking even if it is as clear as day. I messed up on a stupid ribbing section because it had a seaming side. It pissed me off to have to reknit that portion. Just tell me what you want from me damn it.
- Beside the fact that I have never had any intention of wearing this sweater completely closed, as though that were possible to begin with (read: chub is taking over my body), I could not bring myself to do the crochet for the buttons. Instead I replaced the button closures with some hook and eyes which work well for me, I think.
- The seaming on the sleeves was murder. I love raglan sleeves, set-in’s suck. My seam was a little bulky but after 3 tries I said to hell with it, this is as good as it gets.
- The Ugly:
- Cotton yarn is so unforgiving. I points out every flaw in your knitting. I couldn’t get away with even the slightest tension difference. And you think you can block that out?? Forget it.
- I am not that in love with the meeting of the edges on the collar portion of the sweater. I had every intention of grafting these together but after my frustration with the sleeve, the amount of yarn tails, and wanting to get it done with the minimum of fuss, I got lazy, bound off the stitches and mattress stitched it together. Not horrible, but definitely not what it could have been.
- It is not ugly now, but the back had this HUGE glaring ugly stitch that kept gnawing at me as I continued on with the sleeves and fronts. I ended up ripping it out for a variety of reason, but that was one of the major ones.
- Knit Time: January 20 – March 26
Peacock Chic 
Beautiful knitting! Great color too.
You are one of my newest favorite knitters…… Seriously. I LOVE this jacket, so I do the old blog scrollback only to find you also made that completely awesome Dr.s bag…. You are SO not kidding about the bandwagon of good taste….
Plus I like that you are speaking out for patterns that are well written, I hate doing mental acrobats to figure out what I am supposed to do…. I thought part of this was because I am a beginner, but I would like to think it is not only me 🙂
This came out just lovely, Monique! You did a fantastic job. I am in total line with you on the “mirror for the other side” aspect of some patterns. Screw that. Just tell me what the hell I am supposed to do. It’s bad enough I might screw up incredibly explicit, well-written directions. Please don’t add another obstacle in my way.
hey there!
Couldn’t respond to your comment today by e-mail but thought I’d leave you one.
On Tahki Donnegal Tweed vs. C.E. Skye Tweed:
I’m definitely more of a fan of the skye tweed, first because it is plied – less pilling and more sturdy also better st definition in my opinion. I think it comes in a better range of colors too. As far as itchyness, neither of them are spa treatments, but Skye Tweed is softer after washing.
Thanks!
J
Ooh! Beautiful. The color is great.
That’s an exciting color–you wear it well. And I love the back. It’s very flattering.
Awesome sweater!! I’m usually not a huge fan of yellow but you look terrific in that color. I love it!!
Your cardi is fab and the colour looks great on you! I know your pain with the pattern though. I am making one at the mo and the amount of times I have frogged a section! Well done, you have inspired me to finish mine.
Amazing! If you ever get tired of that sweater I will happily take it off your hands. 🙂
Cheers!
SO CUTE!! and yellow looks so awesome on you! very flattering! I look TERRIBLE in that color 😦
That’s a nice sweater and considering the fact that you did the Kate Gilbert sweater I wouldn’t have guessed that you had trouble with this model. Good job!
Absolutely beautiful! I love the color and I especially love the pattern detail on the back. What a great job!
Monique! What a beautiful sweater! It looks fantastic on you, also…and there you are about to finish yet another sweater any day now. You amaze me.
Hey You! Long time, no see. I’m very glad to see that you have been keeping yourself busy with such a beautiful project. Just gorgeous!
I think your apricot jacket looks amazing, and you look amazing in it! I just LOVE the yellow.
Oh, I love this. The colour is stunning on you – absolutely beautiful.
LOL @ leftover stash yarn. I so feel you! I’ve been on a stashbusting mission and I have no idea what to do with the leftover yarn that’s been unstashed!
That scarf is freaking nice, btw. LOVE. It. Your knitting is always so great.