Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Res Completa: Indigo Playmate

Thank you so much, everyone, for the lovely birthday wishes! When I logged into the ol' blog just now, the comment count was at 19, which is of course my magic birthday number (when I turned 19, it was on 9-19-1999...so I had a party at 1900 hrs...yep, I'm a total dork about these things). That's pretty cool. And I can't tell you how much I appreciate each and every one.

So about the knitting. Back in February, when my knitting ladies and I went down to Stitches West, I got a great deal on a ginormous ball of navy blue cotton from the Newton's Yarn Country booth. (The last photo of this post shows just how ginormous). Originally, I thought I'd make some sort of garter stitch cardigan, but the texture of the yarn wasn't quite right, so I had a human-head sized ball of cotton sitting around in my stash for about a half a year. Then, in early August, I was flipping through Custom Knits and decided I needed an Indigo Playmate immediately. My lounge-around-the-house wardrobe was severely lacking and I needed something nicer than a beat-up, 11-year-old sweatshirt to wear while watching the Giants on tv*, and I needed it that night. Having no idea how much yarn I actually had in that giant skein, I wound it up, threw caution to the wind, and cast on.



Pattern: Indigo Playmate, by Wendy Bernard (in Custom Knits)
Yarn: Newton's Yarn Country Bulky Softball, ~1 lb.
Needles: US7 circs and dpns
Start to Finish: August 9-27, 2009



Mods: The original sweater is very slouchy with a large collar, which I love, but didn't have enough yarn for. So I used the pattern as a guide and, being a top-down'er, I was able to work everything to my measurements with a little bit of ease and use just the amount of yarn that I wanted to. The collar is teeny, but enough. Also, I worked a buttonhole in the collar just under my bust and added a button to close.

I don't think I've talked about how much I love Custom Knits, so I'll say it now. I love that book. The designs are fresh and adorable, and there is a mountain of information for aspiring designers inside all laid out in a very clear way. To quote Chrispy's post back in February, "If you don’t have Custom Knits, Run. Don’t walk to your nearest bookstore." For me, this book was an impulse purchase, having gone into a bookstore after wine tasting (great idea) and being lured in by the pretty pictures and fun style of the designs. But now it has a special spot on my shelf, alongside Sweater Design in Plain English and the Barbara Walker pattern treasuries, so much do I consult it. Run, don't walk.

*Silly me, wearing a sweater in Dodger blue while watching the Giants is totally bad luck. After a couple of losses, I went back to the sweatshirt.

19 comments:

Thea said...

very pretty - the view and the sweater!

Clumsy Knitter said...

That is so absolutely cute! I love the button you chose. Perfect! :)

April Klich said...

The sweater looks great and I really like the toggle.

I've always wanted that book and maybe now I'll finally get it. :)

peaknits said...

What a great sweater - the fit is perfect! Guess that why they call it "custom" knits!:) Nice work!

Team Knit said...

gorgeous!! You're going to get so much use out of that, it looks like it does office and casual equally well. Great job!!

- Julie

Margo said...

Beautiful knit, Hilary! And if you're looking for a place to wear it to support a sports team, there's always the Harvest Bowl this weekend- where your blue would fit right in with THS's colors! (I'll simply gloss over the fact that it's 100 here today and you'd melt, but we can always hope the weather drastically drops to a perfect 68!)

Eliza said...

looks great, as usual! You are so prolific! :)

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

That's a totally cute sweater on you! I'm sure there's nothing to that being an unlucky color for your Giants. Although, I always wear green when Notre Dame plays football to bring them luck!

barefootrooster said...

this is fantastic -- and looks fabulous on you. i love the color, and am happy that you've found the perfect use for a yarn ball the size of a human head. (what a great detail!)

Lisa Stepi said...

I love your version! I didn't really want to make that sweater until I saw yours. And I agree, Custom Knits is great.

Hadley Makes said...

Soon the season will be over and you can wear your gorgeous new sweater without fear... ;)

Teresa said...

Thanks for the book recommendation!
The sweater looks very comfy. You totally weren't kidding about the ginormosity of the ball o' cotton. I'm glad to see it's gone to great use :)

sheepish one said...

really, hilary, your talents never cease to amaze. beautiful knit.

Philigry said...

that is awesome! you look fantastic. that button is perfect!

Rene Sharp said...

This looks so lovely on you!

a friend to knit with said...

FABULOUS!
a knit that i would get a TON of wear out of...
you look as cute as ever!!!

keri said...

I am always in awe of your sweater skills - the attention to detail and the fit is just amazing! You are very talented!

Jacey said...

It's gorgeous! I like the collar the way you worked it, so yay for not having enough yarn. I agree with you on Custom Knits. I've now made two projects from it, and both were enjoyable knits with nice FOs. I wasn't particularly drawn to the Indigo Playmate, but seeing your FO is making me reconsider...

FinnyKnits said...

I never knew a human head's worth of anything could be so lovely!

And now I want Custom Knits. Even though I know I have zero room for it on the shelf. Even though I know I'll have to purge another book to let it in.

Even though...