I just returned from my counseling session – er – knitting group. What a great group of people. It really is the highlight of my week.Â
This afternoon I played hookie and went to the Yarnery (St. Paul LYS) to be the person who helps out during their open knit clinic. I had 6 or 8 people stop in (pretty much all at one time!), asking questions about their knitting projects. It was a little tough trying to figure out where they were in the pattern, help them out at their level of expertise, AND help five other people at the same time. Whew!Â
My on-the-go project may have found its legs. I started working on a jacket that I fell in love with last year. Idonis (from my knitting group) made the jacket for her niece for Christmas last year and it was so gorgeous I decided I just had to have one exactly like it.  She made hers out of Pastaza (Cascade 50% llama, 50% wool, 132 yds/100 gms, 4 sts/in). I immediately went out and bought a bag. It sat aging gracefully for the past year waiting for me to choose it as my next project. OKAY! I finally pulled it out of my stash and started calculating the size I wanted , etc. etc. I should mention that the pattern Idonis used is at least 40 years old. To look at it, you would NEVER think to make it — but as I said, I had already seen the completed jacket. The sizing is outrageous: a size 18 is 40 inches around!!!! That’s the finished circumference! Were people in the 60’s midgets? Anyway, mine will be a tad bit larger 🙂 As I started knitting, I realized that one bag o’yarn was not going to cut it, so I bought another bag today and tested the color difference — it passed the test, amazingly enough. I’ll probably use the new yarn on the sleeves, front band and collar, but the color really is okay.
Here is the pattern — DON’T LAUGH (okay, you can laugh, but only because I’m laughing WITH you):
How will I ever get my hair to do that?Â
Here is the yarn color:
It is called Rainier Heather (color 073): maroon, blue and gold mixed together. Pastaza is absolutely fabulous to work with; I’ve used it several times before. So you may be laughing now but just wait. You’ll see…it will be cute…I hope…well, maybe!
I do think I would wear something like that! But the hair? No way 😉
Regarding sizes : That’s why I knit designs by A.S. 😉 She says I’m small even though it ends up being 40 inches in the chest!
Comment by Marina — August 18, 2006 @ 9:53 am
From Susan — I hear ya! And I prefer my sweaters a little roomy. I’m not into wearing skintight clothes.
Comment by surly — August 18, 2006 @ 10:04 am
The hair looks like the style Wilma Flinstone used to wear. Can’t wait to see how it (the hair) looks on you.
Comment by surly — August 18, 2006 @ 5:45 pm
I’m sure the sweater and the hair will look gorgeous on you. I think the secret was hairspray. Aqua Net, specifically. Gah. Can you imagine doing that to your hair?
Comment by Carrie K — August 19, 2006 @ 12:29 pm
Love this pattern, and the hair too, but LOVE this pattern. I don’t suppose there is anyway I could beg, borrow, or buy it from you? I know, I know, copyright issues…but where’s a new knitter like me supposed to find a vintage pattern that’s been sized to above 40 inches?
Comment by Mary — August 25, 2006 @ 12:50 pm