On Saturday evening, I was invited to a casual birthday party for a dear friend. That afternoon, I rooted through my closet looking for something to wear. It was a beautiful day, but it was a bit cool and we were going to be out in the country where the temperatures would be lower than in DC. So I wanted a sweater.
Looking for something else — although I am not sure what — I stumbled across something stuffed into the back of a shelf. It was one of those “I finished this but I’m not sure I’m happy with it” projects. I’d never worn it. The ends weren’t even woven in — a sure sign of failure. It was a cardigan designed by Martin Storey, called Plaza. The original design has these intriguing crocheted corkscrews dangling all over the deep shawl collar:
I actually made them, put them on, and then removed them. They were lovely in the design’s photo but on me: not so much. Anyway, out of curiosity and desperation I tried the sweater on. Hey. This doesn’t look so bad, I thought. I asked my husband; he liked it.
Well, it was a casual party among friends. Why not? I wore it and got lots of compliments on it. So although it may not be my favorite sweater, I’m putting it into the rotation. And here it is:
Your “failures” are far superior to most people’s successes!!
Comment by lv2knit — September 22, 2009 @ 11:20 am
Such a beautiful color. I may have to go look for “I finished this but I’m not sure I’m happy with it” projects.
Comment by 2muchfun — September 22, 2009 @ 11:22 am
It’s gorgeous–without the doodads. And I love the color.
Comment by Kathy — September 22, 2009 @ 11:41 am
Beautiful!
Comment by Danielle Dube — September 22, 2009 @ 11:42 am
It’s wonderful! If it were mine, it might be my favorite sweater. What a serendipitous (s?) find!
Comment by Joanna Ryn — September 22, 2009 @ 11:43 am
I think it’s lovely. The shawl color has a lot of grace. Better without the distraction of the yarn clumps.
Comment by LaurieM — September 22, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
Good call on the doodads. What a gorgeous sweater! That extra-deep, extra-tall shawl collar is awesome.
Comment by kmkat — September 22, 2009 @ 12:29 pm
I think it looks much better w/o the corkscrews! 🙂
Comment by Kay — September 22, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
Lovely. The deep collar is going to be just right for a cooler evening. None of that nasty chill down the back for you!
Comment by Needles — September 22, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
Gorgeous! I can’t believe this was shoved into the back of the closet.
Comment by Lisa R — September 22, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
I think it is lovely with chosen earrings!
Comment by fleur — September 22, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
oh, my goodness, it looks FLAWLESS, and yet it wasn’t even good enough by your standards to finish or wear? Wow. Girlfriend, you have some HIGH standards.
Comment by victoria — September 22, 2009 @ 1:48 pm
I LOVE it! And the color is one of my very favorites. Wish I could go find a “failure” like that. My failures are because they don’t fit….
Comment by Doris — September 22, 2009 @ 1:54 pm
It’s wonderfully done – a fresh take on “classic”, and thankfully without the curlycues!
Comment by Linda in NC — September 22, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
‘Tis lovely; I like it with the taupe.
Comment by Kay - From the Back Yard — September 22, 2009 @ 2:21 pm
That looks great! Definitely better without the corkscrew thingies. 🙂
Comment by Clumsy Knitter — September 22, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
gee. if this was at the back of the closet, what do you have in the front?
Comment by dana — September 22, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
Beautiful sweater. The quality of your work and your sister’s is amazing and it definitely shows on a simple looking sweater. I can only hope one day, I can reach that level of quality.
Comment by May — September 22, 2009 @ 7:04 pm
I like it too.
Comment by Brenda — September 22, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
At least you can preface your “but I’m not happy with it” with “I’ve finished it”…
Comment by swtrknttr — September 22, 2009 @ 7:50 pm
Beautiful sweater with clean simple lines. You will be able to wear this sweater forever and be in style!
Comment by Julie — September 22, 2009 @ 9:53 pm
What’s not to like????
Comment by kv — September 22, 2009 @ 10:21 pm
OMG – that’s a gorgeous sweater! and I love the color too. I’m not surprised you received many compliments on it.
Comment by RuthieJ — September 22, 2009 @ 10:31 pm
The simplicity is makes it even more beautiful. I love the color and the buttons too!
Comment by Eryka Jackson — September 23, 2009 @ 12:15 am
I love it! It’s a beautiful sweater!
Comment by Lisle — September 23, 2009 @ 8:47 am
Oh I’m sure removing the googily crocheted things was the right thing to do! I love how it shows off all that simple but beautiful knitting – not to mention the shaping – to its best advantage!
Comment by Marie — September 23, 2009 @ 10:16 am
I love little Unexpected Surprises (as if . . . there were any other kind. . .)! Like finding a $20 bill in the pocket of a coat you haven’t worn since last winter. Or finding that there is one more chocolate chip cookie after all. Or finding 3 forgotten astilbes hiding under a WAY overgrown brunnera. Or finding a perfectly lovely sweater hiding in the back of your closet! That shawl collar is really quite perfect! 🙂
Comment by Kym — September 23, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
Elegant and the color is gorgeous. I’m glad you removed the “hangers-on.”
Comment by dachsgirlknits — September 23, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
It’s beautiful. I’m a sucker for shawl collars. I don’t think losing the corkscrew tassles detracted a thing.
Comment by Carrie K — September 23, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
What a lucky find! It’s lovely. I often find I like the things I’ve made better when I’ve separated a bit from them. Last year’s projects are often better than I’d thought. I hope you feel that way about this sweater. Love the color & the deeeep shawl collar.
Comment by Pam — September 24, 2009 @ 1:12 am
What a treasure and absolutely gorgeous! Wish I could say the same about my “failures”.
Comment by Karen Slate — September 24, 2009 @ 5:03 pm
Just gorgeous.
No wonder you got all those compliments; but I do hope you were wearing a bottom half, unlike the mannequin! 😀
Comment by Catherine — September 25, 2009 @ 9:00 pm
I’d sure like to see what else you have stashed away that didn’t quite make the grade. This sweater is absolutely beautiful!
Comment by glenda — September 27, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
The Plaza is gorgeous! I love the color. What yarn did you use? On what size needles? Unfortunately, the booklet is discontinued but I’ve put out a plea on Ravelry for one anyway. I would never have given this pattern a second look with the crocheted doodads on it. Without them, the lines are beautiful. Of course, I’m sure the choice of yarn is part of it and I know the expert knitting is most of it.
Comment by Ruth Spears — September 28, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
Good afternoon! This pattern is beautiful. If any one is interested I was able to purchase the pattern book Wowen Classic Cafe through Kathleen @
Hampton Knitting Yarn
631 728-5090
orders@hamptonknittingyarn.com
Comment by susan ann hoffman — October 7, 2009 @ 12:36 pm