Wednesday, June 4, 2008

La Fée Verte

One of the nicest compliments I have ever received was when someone left a comment on this blog saying she thought I had good taste. I can't tell you how flattered I was. Unfortunately, now, I seem to be blowing to bits whatever truth there was in that statement. Because for the past two weeks I have been hard at work knitting something that bears a strong resemblance to a giant granny square in the most hideous shade of green, and I am absolutely in love with it. It is all I can think about.



It all started back in March, when I developed an oddly intense crush on Kelly Green when I started seeing it in the stores. I'm not sure where it came from, but it hit me hard. First I had to have some shoes.



Then some shoes and a scarf.



Then some shoes, a scarf, and a long-sleeved tee from the Gap marked down to $5 because no one else was crazy enough to buy it.



Then some shoes, a scarf, the long-sleeved tee, and some...underpinnings. You get the idea.



Then when I almost bought this Diane von Furstenberg number because all those yards of green fabric made me weak in the knees (giving little heed to the fact that it was way outside my budget, it did not fit me, and that I had nowhere to wear it besides my own house)...



I knew I had a problem.

I don't know where it came from, but every single time I see something in this color I must either buy it, stare at it, fondle it, or take a picture. I've been able to resist a lot, but not the Cascade 220 I bought for this current project. I couldn't walk out of the store with it, but I'll admit that it's awful. The colorway is called "Christmas Green" for goodness' sake! Emerald Green? Pretty. Christmas Green? Tacky. I could see the look on Sophy and Erica's faces when they first saw it. It was that "You're my friend so I'm not going to say anything mean, but that is the ugliest thing I have ever seen and I'm going to gently suggest some helpful alternatives" look.



And the granny-square-ness? Well, my original inspiration was a little cardigan from Anthropologie made with various open and textured stitch motifs. In an attempt to mimic it from memory after it had been taken off the Anthro website I settled on the Roman Stripe pattern, thinking it would give me the lacey look I was going for. I didn't mean for the thing to look quite so crocheted...but it does...and I still love it.

It remains to be seen whether this cropped cardi will turn out anything at all like the cute, trendy Anthropologie original, or if it will scream "100 year-old bag lady". Either way, I'll probably still make it a central piece of my wardrobe.

14 comments:

Cyn said...

Pffft. I love Roman Stripe and that shade of green is not at all hideous. Well, unless you pair it with oversized red earrings shaped like Christmas balls.

So, um, don't do that.

Philigry said...

oh, i am in love with it too! it even looks stunning while blocking! that shade of green is my favorite color! i can not wait to see how it turns out! I think you still have the good taste award!

Unknown said...

I like the Diane Von Furstenberg dress, too bad it didn't fit. I really do like the green. It reminds me more of 1960's Chinese grandma, than old bag lady and Chinese grandmas are pretty cool :)

Ella said...

Ha haaaa! I just laughed so hard at Cyn's comment that I snorted. Very ladylike.

I dig the green - it's vibrant and joyous and paired with those adorable shoes and some sass, it'll be fabulous. Can't wait to see it finished!

Team Knit said...

Are you kidding me?! I love kelly green! As for the bag (I shuddered at the description of 'Christmas Green' too), you'll prove your point- you'll finish it, and it'll be gorgeous. Then everyone will want one, too!

- Julie

Anonymous said...

Not only have a spent the entire spring coveting all things green, but I am about to start a lacy cardigan in almost the same "Christmas Green" shade. So, clearly, your taste is still impeccible.

Teresa said...

I don't think I can tell you how awesome those shoes are (and all the other green-inspired purchases!) I'm looking forward to this knit :)

In my experience, if you don't have high expectations/hopes for the knit, then it usually comes out amazing.

As for the colour fixation: I get that all the time. Oh yes. For me, it's a particular shade of orange (as well as gold/yellow... basically amber-y shades). Very hard to resist.

Oh yes - the naming of yarn strikes again! It's hard to ignore, I suppose. I must admit, the name the company gives the yarn has sometimes swayed me into a purchase, but never away from one. I'm glad you got the Kelly Green (Christmas... that's ok!)

You are definitely not tacky. Not sure that you could be if you tried.

Well, perhaps as Cyn mentioned, no bauble ornament earrings.... :o

Anonymous said...

lol you know erica and i tease you but really, you can totally pull it off. i LOVE that it's called "Christmas Green"!

i think this cardigan will look spectacular on you. it was fun to watch you knit it.

also, i am ever so glad that erica and i did not convince you to buy that other green that you weren't quite in love with...

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

Too cute. I say go for it - you are only young once. I think knitting colorful things must mean you are happy and that's a good thing.

Anonymous said...

I love it! I think it's going to look very cool. And those shoes are to die for.

the Lady said...

Actually, I would have to argue and say that those colors are not Kelly Green, which is why they are perfectly acceptable and beautiful. I may be wrong, but I think I'm not. I have a shirt in that exact green, with a flying horse on it. You're in good company.

Anonymous said...

And I thought I had an obsession with turquoise. But, no, I don't have turquoise shoes.

If it looks good on you and you love it - why not?

Elena said...

I love that green colour. Your knit seems to be coming out greatly!

CassieMarie said...

Hah, I have the same underpinnings! :)
I am a kelly green person as well, and had to have them once I saw them!