It’s so hard to take good photographs of knitted garments. Susan and I would each like to have a half-mannequin, so that we could get decent pictures. If we lived closer, we could invest in a really good one and share it. But we don’t, and I haven’t had the time to look around to see if I can find one. So, in order to show you photographs of the finished Berry Cluster Pullover, I tried:
1. Hanging it up. It looks okay, but not great.
2. Draping it over a chair. Just no.
3. I flirted, ever so briefly, with modeling it myself. It fits nicely, but I just wasn’t of a mood. So, I asked my twenty-year-old daughter if she would model it for me. She said yes, but I knew the fit would not be quite right. She’s very slender, and her shoulders aren’t as broad as mine. (I said shoulders. Shoulders, people.) It fits me better than it fits her, but I don’t have the cute stomach. So it’s a tradeoff. (And I should have had her change into a smoother under garment. See, we need a mannequin.)
Here is a detail of the hem so you can see the pearls.
In other knitting news, I did start Eris. I have half of the collar knitted. Like Susan, I started with a provisional cast on (the white row you see at the wide end) and my next step will be to pick up those stitches and start knitting in the opposite direction.
I’m knitting my Eris using Ultra Alpaca, which I described here (you’ll need to scroll down a little bit). I think this yarn will be perfect for this project and I am loving how it knits up. It looks rather sad here but I’ve stretched with my fingers and I know it will look much better once it’s been blocked.
Alison — I know you’re concerned about the lightness of the cash soft you’re using. I think you’ll be okay; I might worry a little whether that yarn will pill because it is so soft. That’s the one little concern I would have and some of that depends upon how hard you are on your sweaters.
As for the grey behemoth — my Feather & Fan shawl — I’m still plugging along. Twelve rows left. It will get finished soon.
PS — For Wendy O:
And from the book:
From Susan — I think Berry Cluster looks GREAT and the pearls are fine — not too big at all (and, yes, Nora could use a different undergarment!!). Your Eris looks better than mine 🙁
Comment by lv2knit — February 24, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
Your sweater is stunning. The pearls are beautiful and I like them BIG. Too bad they don’t make blow-up dolls with correct measurements.
Comment by Chery — February 24, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
OK, I’ll say it … what’s up with her right bosom 😉
Berry Cluster is gorgeous! That hem is really outstanding. Love the colour of the ultra Alpaca.
Comment by Marina — February 24, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
What an absolutely beautiful sweater! The berry cluster hem with pearls makes this really special.
Comment by Karen B. — February 24, 2007 @ 7:08 pm
The Berry Cluster is very elegant, and beautifully executed. I love the start to Eris as well! You two do such nice work!
Comment by Dianna — February 24, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
I love everything about your berry cluster — what an elegant sweater. And oh, that young tummy. I regret wasting my twenties wishing for smaller thighs when the proper attitude would have been to enjoy my waist before I had babies — ah well.
Comment by Pam — February 24, 2007 @ 9:37 pm
BEAUTIFUL sweater. Love the berries/pearls. And the undergarments. *g*
Comment by Jody — February 24, 2007 @ 9:53 pm
From Susan — I have said this before, but if I had known I was seeing my waist for the last time, I would have thrown a little going away party — you know, have a few friends in, have a little cake…
Comment by lv2knit — February 24, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
Beautiful! Simply beautiful!
Comment by Michelle — February 25, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Lovely! And just a bit different that your sister’s — which is also lovely. Great taste must run in your family. I want to knit up one of everything you ladies post. Someday, maybe!
Comment by Wendy O — February 25, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
From Susan To Wendy O — the beauty of this design is that it looks great in a number of yarn choices and is easy to make. I’d love to make another in different yarn. Truth be told, I never wear the green one because I don’t have anything to wear it with.
Comment by lv2knit — February 25, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
The larger beads make it more of a feature, while the green one was softer. Both are very pretty. You girls are amazing.
I finally broke down and tracked down a place that deals in store fixtures- I have 2 mannequins (dress forms), Ginger and Fred,
and have had alot of fun with them
Some would say too much fun.
Comment by Lorraine — February 25, 2007 @ 1:32 pm
Susan – Green? I thought the one you made white and a tad fuzzy. Is it very very light green? I’m going to have to go back and search. (What an awful thing to have to do – go back and look at pretty knitting!)
Comment by Wendy O — February 25, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
You are too good to me. Thank you — I remember both pictures — but I was remembering the one from the book. Very very nice — fun to see the difference in smooth vs. fuzzy. They’re both wonderful.
And now I think you need to ask Lorraine to post some fun with Fred and Ginger pictures. heeee.
Comment by Wendy O — February 25, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
Sally,
I want the sweater too, (and the cute stomach) it is very lovely. Personally, I like the big beads, they look great.
Comment by Marsha — February 25, 2007 @ 10:54 pm
The bottom bead detail is quite lovely. I should congratulate you for being able to fit the same sweater as your obviously slender 20 yr old daughter!
Comment by Charm — February 26, 2007 @ 4:15 pm
My apologies for using your blog, girls, but Wendy O. (Are you the same chick from the Plasmatics?) mannequins can be alot of fun.
Mine don’t have heads or limbs, but there are mannequin collectors out there, and one guy dresses his up and has “pyjama parties”.
Kinda kinky, eh?
And if you don’t wear the green one Susan, I’ll be happy to take it off your hands.
Comment by Lorraine — February 26, 2007 @ 7:47 pm
Berry Cluster looks fabulous! Beautifully done. I think the beads are perfect.
Comment by Melanie — February 26, 2007 @ 11:48 pm
I LOVE the berry clusters! I must go get the book now.
Comment by Kim — February 27, 2007 @ 6:39 pm