October 17, 2004
Jacke in Apricot
Here's a side view.
Project Specs:
Pattern: Rebecca 27 Apricot Jacket
Suggested Yarn: GGH Java
Yarn Used: Rowan All Seasons Cotton (Color Fern)
Needle Size: US 6 Addis
Gauge: 16 sts/10cm
click to enlarge photos
For a closer look at the detailed pics, zoom out for full view of left , middle and right photos.
I really enjoyed this pattern and would have never attempted it if Marta hadn't assured me that it was a pattern that I could knit. Thanks a bunch for the words of support! It's a pattern that I instantly fell in love with, but was not a pattern I would ever really knit any time soon. It was one of those "one day" knits. I used to be scared of yo's (don't really know why). I must say I didn't quite understand every detail of the pattern and just relied on the pics to fill in the gaps and I think it turned out okay. I never really let the grey areas stop me and just knit through them hoping the end result would okay. It was funny knitting it because I eventually only carried a pic with me while knitting it and my knit buds would turn the photo over to reveal the pattern and only found numbers of increases or knit 'til x cm's (only a few lines) that I copied from the German instructions (once I didn't feel the English one's were helping me). Also, once I thought one side of the front was okay, I just carried it around in order to knit the exact reverse of it. I think it helped even though I was the mad row counter most of the front through making sure the slants were mirror images. It's amazing that this sweater was never shelved with what I considered not the clearest directions, but then I don't think many translated directions (or any directions, lol ) are ever that clear and have decided to just grin (sometimes frown) and bear it if I think the pattern design is worth it. I surprisingly enjoyed the crocheted edge and button loops, too. Here's a button close-up.
I have to say that best part of this knitting this pattern (for me) was that I went with my gut the whole way through and for once never let the words "you can't knit this" enter my mind. And let me tell you that doesn't happen often. I'm not exactly saying just diving in it and going for it without a plan is the always the best way to go, but at some point in my knitting I wanted to give in to the needles and the knitting motion and just go. I really felt I want to knit this so it feels right and not overanalyze every step ripping and reknitting to my hearts content (make that discontent) the whole way through. For me this led to more thinking about the knitting and how each row relates to the next. I was often asked how it was going and I could only say, "I'll know if the puzzle pieces fit". It wasn't until I pieced it together that I could say I think I may have a sweater. And boy, I enjoyed every uncertain moment of it. At times, I know I get caught on the words "it's a difficult pattern" and I think it affects my knitting. A prime example is the fear of the Audrey collar. That fear really held up a cast on of only 12 stitches. I am hopeful that this little sweater will give me the boost to try a bit more than knits on large needles in St. st. as my most commonly knit piece pick. I have noticed that a lot of first time knitters are diving in intarsia, fair isle, cables and lots of other knits I fear as their first projects. And as I wait 'till completion to tell then what an advanced technique they chose and how gorgeous it looks, the reply I most often get is "I didn't know it was supposed to be hard". Boy, sometimes not knowing is a good thing.
Posted by froggy at October 17, 2004 09:09 AM
Beautiful as always, Froggy! You always seemed like such a fearless knitter. It's heartening to me that you went into this thinking it might be a bit hard, but ended up with something absolutely incredible.
Your Jacke is gorgeous!! This cardi is at the top of my wishlist at the moment but I have been faltering in my commitment to buying the yarn while I wait for the colour card to arrive so I can choose a colour. Seeing yours and reading your thoughtful comments on knitting it have really re-motivated me.
I have been thinking of ordering a green yarn but I can't tell if I like the shades online, so I nearly went with the apricot to be safe. Seeing how great yours looks in fern makes me feel like the wait for a colour card is worth it and not just more procrastinating :-)
Gorgeous cardigan, and way to go! Jumping in with both feet and making a splash. Congratulations!
Looks perfect! I love the color and fit. Congrats on the whole experience :)
gorgeous! i just got this rebecca book specifically for this pattern. hoping to start one day...
great colour too.
Wow, Froggy, this sweater is just gorgeous. You've outdone yourself -- and your confidence boost is inspiring, too. Way to go!
Hey!
Your Apricot Jacket looks great. Love the colour. Green is one of my favs! Great choice. I really want to do this cardigan one day. Does the pattern have an English version do you know?
Wow Froggy it is just beautiful! Bravo! I have always loved that sweater from the first time I saw it. Enjoy wearing it and all the compliments you are sure to get. :)
Froggy...All I can say is Wow!! You definately outdid yourself. It is gorgeous and fits you perfectly. You should be very proud of yourself! I really want to make that sweater...I've had the pattern but I'm hesitant. If I have a question with it would it be ok to ask you? :-)
Your 'jacke' is just gorgeous - lovely colour and great, flattering fit. I agree that sometimes we just have to 'go for it' if a pattern really speaks to us because how else are we going to learn and stretch our abilities? Fantastic job!
The sweater looks beautiful! (I enjoyed seeing it with different shirts underneath.)
Good story about the knitting too. It seems like this must be the way patterns are designed--an idea of how something should look and then you figure out how to get there.
Hi Froggy
"Die Jacke" looks great. I think with All Season Cotton it is even nicer than the original.
I LOVE it! It looks beautiful.
Wow! That's absolutely beautiful! I will be running out tomorrow at lunch to find a copy of that pattern. Oh my yes. You've totally inspired me. Thanks!
It's so wonderful - I love this pattern and your version is really pretty! I think I thought that ASC wouldn't knit up to the correct guage so I never thought of it as an option - nice to see that it is! Great job - congrats!
That's so great. Congrats to you! I love when people say, "I can do it" and just do it.
Stunning!! All seasons cotton is a great yarn. Looks like it was designed for you, the fit is outstanding. Your stitch tension looks so even. I am in Awe!
i liked it before,but now you've pushed me over the edge. i've got to find that pattern, and make one for myself! any reccomendations on where to find it?
prety pretty, have I mentioned I have a green fetish??
One more comment to say, simply, what a beautiful sweater that is--design, color, execution--all of it.
Good for you.
Froggy-Girl...
You are awesome! Congrats on such a gorgeous knit, and challenging yourself. The Apricot Jacket is such a beautiful pattern and it looks so great on you!!!
Fantastic,terrific and beautiful knitting.Great intuitive work.
FAB !
What a great sweater and an even better "process journey." I keep looking at the photos from every angle and admiring your work. Thank you for inspiring all of us to be bolder knitters.
So beautiful! Every time I see someone's finished version of that pattern, I consider getting the pattern myself, though it sounds like most people think the instructions leave a little to be desired. Regardless, you whipped that pattern into BEAUTIFUL shape.
~m
What an inspiring entry. I LOVE the way it looks with the black ruffly top underneath! I'm coming to expect only the best knits at this blog, yep. :)
Beautiful, Froggy! Of course, I knew it would be--you are a very talented knitter! It fits you perfectly.
Cheers! :)
Hi ! Apricot jacket looks great ! Good work !
As usual, what a wonderful job on the jacket. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I feel the same way about some of my projects, but I think I make the best of it, and it all works out.
wow , beautiful worx !!!1 you are very talented ..
did you get my email ? I'd like to interview you for an article i'm writing please get back to me ...thanks!
your apricot jacket is fabulous. i love everything about it. it's on my to-do list (the pattern book just arrived last week) and after seeing yours completed and your great write-up about knitting it, it's moving up to the top of my list. I've just started thinking about what kind of yarn to use and like the idea of the All Seasons cotton. it looks wonderful on you -- wear it well...
That's a lovely one! I never thought you could have any hesistation knitting it, thanks for story. I've been thinking of shelving my cottons for the moment and starting with wool. Seeing yours make me want to do it again. Maybe if I start now, I can have it by spring next year?
It's beautiful--the style, the fit, the color (I'm another one who's fond of green). Your technique (as revealed by the close-ups) is beautiful too. An inspiration!
Hey Froggy,
The sweater is beautiful. Your entry hit home with me b/c I am in the process of translating a Phildar pattern. Its a little scary and there are still some gray areas, but like you said, it makes sense once the needles get to knittin. :)
For those that asked, there's a kit available at the Knitting Garden (www.theknittinggarden.com). I have this Jacke slotted for November (I'm an overly obsessive knitter that schedules everything, except ripping, lol!), hopefully it will be as lovely as yours. Can't wait to see your future FO's.
What a gorgeous sweater. Congratulations! I can't wait to start mine. I thought the pattern called for 8's, not 5's-- did you re-size the sweater?
that is so flattering, froggy. I adore the color! I have been eyeballing that fern color in about every yarn I have seen lately.
You did a fantastic job...very nice!
I'll add to the rest of the kudos coming your way - what a FANTASTIC job you did.
No need to reply to my comment like you usually do (thanks for that - btw), you have quite a bit.
Talk to you soon.
Great jacket!!!! I would never be able to attempt something like that yet!!! ^_^ .....It's an awesome shade too!!! You're the knitting guru alright!!!! ^_^
It's a fabulous sweater! Doesn't it feel great to boss your knitting around and make it work for you? You'll love Lara, too and she'll be easy peasy for you!
Boy, I love that sweater. It's just beautiful in green. I have learned so much from just diving in -- sometimes over my head -- but I know how to swim! Reference books, sometimes a good picture, people to help, and just plain ol' stubbornness are great lifesavers! I really believe that confidence breeds confidence, so anxious to see where it takes you next. Great job!!
Brava, Froggy! That is one gorgeous sweater. I'm inspired by your diving in and succeeding ~
Beautiful. Just BEAUTIFUL. :)
(and inspiring too!) :D
GO ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF!!!!
That sweater looks fantastic and your stitchwork is inspirational!
as always, great work!!! you've inspired me to finish mine.
great job! i say foreign patterns are definitely worth the extra effort. :)
It looks beautiful! I'm now INSPIRED to get back to work on my own. I've had a hard time with making my decreases look nice. I'll figure it out. ;-p
That turned out to be a real girlie-girl sweater and it's very flattering to your figure. Great yarn and color, too. Those silly little yo's intimidated me too, 'til I had to use 'em. Nice write up, I'm pickin' up great stuff on your site. Almost makes up for not being able to go to Rhinebeck.
Oh god, it looks great on you! Great fit, great color. I love that shade of green! I like your go get 'em attitude also. If something holds you back sometimes the best thing to do is dive straight into it. Congrats on the finished project. Can you finish mine for me? Hee hee!
Froggy, the sweater is gorgeous and looks fantastic on you. Can't wait to see what's up next!
I think you did a FABULOUS job on that sweater! AND my appreciation for your fine work grew when I realized half the time you were wingin' it!!! it's FABULOUS! I think it's one of the most well-knit sweaters I've seen you make on this site!!!
Absolutely fabulous, baby! The yarn and colour are perfect for this jacket and it looks so beautiful on you. Love it :o)
Yeah, what they all said! Awesome sweater, and it looks wonderful on you.
Rhinebeck next year, 'kay? You must must must.
The cardi looks so STUNNING beautiful!
I feel so proud you named me in your blog I had to show the entry to my husband ;-)
I love the colour you picked - and you will see, you will alos enjoy wearing it. Great work!!!
And she does it again, folks! (Man, I love how you style your knits.) This is definitely one for the Froggy Hall of Fame. Perfect color, fit and crisp-looking Jacke [to be pronounced Jack-AY for emphasis on its fabulousness]. BRAVISIMA!
Okay, I need to take knitting lessons from you. Just beautiful and I HAVE to get some green ASC.
Must.Knit.That.Sweater. Gorgeous. It's absolutely gorgeous.
Beautiful beautiful job. I love it. The color is DIVINE! Thanks to you I must have that pattern now. So many patterns so little time!
Oh my gosh - it is so beautiful! That color is fab on you and the sweater is just perfect! WOW I am so completely impressed.
I'd love the pattern of the gorgeous cardigan...any chance?
Why was it called *apricot*...it looked green to me!
I am ashamed to sawy that even though I live in Berlin I am having problems getting started with this pattern. Could you perhaps explain the first couple of lines to me? Thanks. I love the colour.
wow.. you got a lot of comments to this entry lol.. i was gonna say it looks so great!
Wow! I'm so impressed! I really like the color choice, too. It's such a gorgeous sweater-cardigan-whatever, and the detail work is very impressive. Another perfect FroggyKnits creation!
I absolutely love that cardigan. I just bought the Rebecca 27 magazine and I can't wait to knit it!
