Froggy Knits: Pretty & Pretty Scary

April 04, 2004

Pretty & Pretty Scary

Meet what I like to call Pretty.

It would like to one day look remotely close to this
(or at least a distant cousin).

And it just dreams of being a . Here is a close-up. I started this last year sometime. My first attempt at changing colors I believe (I know it's just horizontal changes, not big a deal, huh) Big deal for me. Well, I thought the gauge on all three yarns was the same and it wasn't. So, the even continuity I was going for on the striping didn't quite work out as I would have liked among other madness as you will soon see. Those were the days that I was controlled by the pattern and pic. I shelved it.

Now meet Pretty Scary.

If you want to scream, click here for scary close-up.

Almost a year later I have decided to exercise my strength. As I am

Dum ta da da

Stronger Than Yarn!

And I now know that a pattern can sometimes be a guide. Here are my possible plans. I may do the front in a solid color and add a single row of striping at the armhole and then put a little heart or something in the coordinating colors used for the back near the top in the center to tie the front and back together somehow(WOW, was that a long run-on sentence or WHAT?). Pretty gutsy for someone who has never tried intarsia. Oh yeah, plus a keyhole closure to the back. But I don't think I could stand the front with all of those ends right now, too. My knitting heart just couldn't take it.

Any suggestions?

Posted by froggy at April 4, 2004 10:44 AM

Comments

hiya, that was a bit frightening. sounds like you already have a plan. look at it as a challenge. your idea about a solid/single stripe for the front sounds fine. is the back of the dress complete? i love that dress pattern, too. i think i have the book.

speaking of intarsia, stop by for visit to see the progress of by bear dress.

Posted by: Lynette at April 4, 2004 11:19 AM

Hehe...when I zoomed in on the closeup I imagined the music from the film "Psycho" playing in the background. It sounds like you've brainstormed already, and I like what you're planning. I'm looking forward to seeing you finish this dress. It is SWEET!

Posted by: Becky at April 4, 2004 12:21 PM

What about carrying the striping yarns up the side, rather than cutting them? I'm the laziest finisher in the world, and that's definitely how I'd do it. It's an adorable dress, and I love the colours you chose!

Posted by: Erica at April 4, 2004 06:24 PM

Hey there! I hope you're not going to frog everything you've done! Is that the back that you're showing? I am also working on this dress, but using a self striping yarn.

Posted by: Laura at April 4, 2004 06:53 PM

Hiya - cute pattern! I agree with Erica - definitely carry the yarn up the sides for the stripes - tucking all those ends is such tedium, but this way you only have to tuck in the ends of the ball instead! and the carried yarns will disappear in the seams anyway- added bonus! Good luck!

Posted by: Jazminecat at April 5, 2004 11:33 AM

OK, too late but I would had suggested that you knit it in the round and carry the yarns up to the armhole. Then knit the bodice in 1 colour and you avoid a lot of sewing in. I hate sewing up and spend a lot time looking for ways to avoid it.

Posted by: Polly at April 6, 2004 07:35 AM