All those loose ends have been sewn in.
It certainly felt that it took as long to knit as to finish, but well, it's finally done. Let's say I LOVE knitting with the cash cotton. The yarn is buttery soft. The jury is still out about wearing it. The shedding is a bit of an issue. Cash cotton is a warm yarn. I see myself wearing this in early spring and autumn, but can't imagine it seeing much usage during summer. Which brings to mind a discuss between Rowanette Jill, Alpaca Woman and me on how Rowan can launch this as a summer yarn. (For the record, we also felt calmer, and ASC were not really for all seasons... jury is out on summer tweed. I think yes, good for summer, but there was dissention on that opinion).
So here are the close-ups that Rowan did not show you, preferring to waste good pages in the magazines showing artistic pictures of grass.
The neck edging on the original sweater was achieved by picking up x number of stitches and casting off on the following row. I thought that the edging looks unfinished and did 3 rows of garter before casting off.
The sleeves are really bell-like. Measure to make sure that it's not too long for your arms. I reduced the length of mine by about an inch. I should had reduced by another 1/2 inch. (usually, I don't need to adjust the sleeves in the rowan patterns)
The edges on sleeves and body really don't roll after blocking.
Here's another finishing shot
And more ....
But what??? where are the pictures of me, in my sweater? Well, after all that hard work, I'm not convinced that it was flattering to me, so I took it to see the girls to see what they think.
This is how I think that sweater should look. Kristine is a glamourous and slim 6 feet tall blonde. The green on the jumper is very complimentary to Kristine's colouring.
On Amelia, the sweater was humungous. You see the elbow on the right? It's me, kneeling down behind her, holding handfuls of fabric in.
I didn't want my photo taken beside Kristine
But we don't care. I might not be the gorgeous blonde, but she's still my friend.
Added later: The scarf around my neck is Caryl's kerchief, knitted by Rowanette Jill and 'borrowed' by me. It was so pretty that I sort of took it off her neck and swanned around with it for half an hour. The yarn is Koigu
OK, ok, here's how it looks on me
So, Amelia and Alpaca Woman, can't wait to do the group shot when you're both done.
(many thanks to the wonderful Jacinta for taking these pictures... why do I always have a big zit on my face whenever the camera comes out?)
I think that's just a not so good shot of you and the sweater. It almost looks a bit big for you? But it's lovely. I hope you change your mind on wearing it!
Posted by: valentina at July 4, 2005 04:01 PMI think it's beautiful--on and off!
Posted by: spaazlicious at June 12, 2005 01:56 AMWhat a very good knitter you are. It is such a lovely lovely sweater. Very fun to see it on many models. Im inspired!
Posted by: kathy b at June 11, 2005 07:21 PMVery pretty color, and it's such a pretty, girlie piece. It's beautiful! Wear it, wear it!
Posted by: Peggy at June 11, 2005 03:10 AMI don't know what your on about, it looks great on you (without the t-shirt of course!) and what a lovely colour. I'd wear it with pride!!
Posted by: Ali at June 10, 2005 12:18 AMVery nice sweater, Polly. It does look good on you. I have pattern lust, I want to make this -- for my daughter! She has Kristine's build, and it's been a while since I've made something for her (other than socks, which she loves anyway).
Posted by: KarenK at June 9, 2005 05:51 AMIt's great on you! It's really hard to look at ourselves objectively, though ultimately, if you're comfortable or not that's what matters.
Thanks for all the detail photos -- they really highlight what make this sweater special.
Posted by: Anmiryam at June 8, 2005 10:23 PMI think the sweater looks good one you!
Posted by: Kate at June 8, 2005 07:02 PMFruity looks superbe on you, all 3 of you! It is a beautifull pattern, really. Well, i am sure i would wear it in the cool summer evenings that we have on the coast of Brittany, as I do wear ASC, and Calmer too...but then, maybe I'm a bit too "frileuse" ;-)
Polly, if you stood properly wearing Fruity and took off the t-shirt underneath, it WOULD look good on you....
I would like to add that when Polly 'borrowed' my scarf thing, I had a tray of food in my hands and a bag over my shoulder - I was quite powerless to resist......actually I don't think I blocked it enough, I might have another go. It's the 2 skein Koigu scarf,
Posted by: Jill at June 8, 2005 06:00 PMHiya, I think Fruity looks smashing. I know you are standing like that in the picture to make a point, but I am sure it looks lovely when you are standing normally.
Posted by: Kathleen H at June 8, 2005 05:44 PMPolly, your Fruity is lovely, on you as well as your friends! What a beautiful job, esp. finishing. I take your point about the Rowan "summer" yarns - like Kristine said, maybe it depends on where you will be summering...
Posted by: Dana at June 8, 2005 05:12 PMVERY pretty! To get some extra wearing in summer - you could wear it with a summer dress with it draped over your shoulders and tied loosely. It would be like a shrug and be great if you go into a cold, air-conditioned place.
Posted by: Lynn at June 8, 2005 05:08 PMI think it turned out beautifully. The color and texture are great, and the sleeve shaping is very elegant (even if they came out a bit long. ;-) Can it be tweaked to suit your preferences, I wonder?
Posted by: Beth S. at June 8, 2005 04:57 PMWell it of course turned out fabulous. I really like the shaping, especially in the sleeves. Thanks for all the close up photos.
Posted by: Rebekah at June 8, 2005 04:05 PMFruity is a beauty! (sorry, couldn't resist) I don't think Cash Cotton is a summer yarn either...perhaps maybe in Greenland? :) It looks lovely on you all!
Posted by: Kristine at June 8, 2005 03:36 PMFruity is fab! I agree with you - cash cotton is warm! Can't wait to see the three amigos wearing their fruities.
Dawn
Posted by: dawn at June 8, 2005 03:02 PMWow no wonder Fruity is a popular design in the blog world - she looks gorgeous on all 3 of you. Thanks for the realistic photos. The ones in Rowan don't do it justice.
Posted by: carol at June 8, 2005 02:20 PMWow no wonder Fruity is a popular design in the blog world - she looks gorgeous on all 3 of you. Thanks for the realistic photos. The ones in Rowan don't do it justice.
Posted by: carol at June 8, 2005 02:20 PMI think its a riot how you had a bunch of different people try it on! I lOVE IT! Even though it fits you all differently, it is lovely on everyone! YOu did an awesome job :)
I bought some Calmer and definitely don't think I would be wearing it in the summer, but I guess it also depends on where you are and how you can tolerate heat.
Thanks for all the pictures!
Posted by: Dani at June 8, 2005 02:11 PMthat's a wonderful sweater!
Posted by: lynette at June 8, 2005 02:11 PMhey P - it may be a teensy bit big on you but i still think it looks great!! and i LOVED the suggestion of legolas and gimli, made me laugh out loud!!! (poor kristine, too skinny to stand next to eh? i feel the same....)
Posted by: carolyn at June 8, 2005 02:00 PMFruity looks wonderful on all of you! Thanks for the close ups and reassurance that blocking remedies the curling edges. You've spurred me on to continue with mine. Almost finished the back but put it to one side because I too don't think cashcotton is a summer yarn.
Posted by: Judith R at June 8, 2005 12:55 PMFruity is really beautiful -- thanks for all the close-ups and very useful pattern notes -- I've got the yarn stashed for this, but it can certainly wait til autumn because I agree -- not comfy wearing for the dead of summer! It looks lovely on Kristine and Amelia (if you could walk around behind Amelia holding it in the back all the time, that is), but I also think it looks lovely on you.
Posted by: Wendy at June 8, 2005 12:23 PMKristine sports Fruity well, but I dont think she looks that bad on you. Then again I can understand the feeling as I think each of us has our own perceptions and issues that others may not agree with :)
Posted by: stinkerbell at June 8, 2005 12:17 PMI love it!!! The color, the stitch pattern, the edging, the neck, they all look perfect. Enjoy!
Posted by: Colleen at June 8, 2005 12:15 PMFruity looks great! Legolas & Gimli - that's really made me laugh. What did the other people in the cafe think of the photo shoot?
Posted by: Mary at June 8, 2005 10:20 AMThat's really beautiful, you know we have all been looking forward to this for weeks? It seems to suit everyone, so do make sure you get a chance to wear it when the weather cools down. Glad to see you have got the rolling edges to behave.
Posted by: Sam at June 8, 2005 09:11 AMFruity looks wonderful!! I love the bell sleeves; they're a good excuse to not do the dishes. ;-)
Posted by: joy at June 8, 2005 09:07 AMi love fruity! good job, polly. you all look great in it, i think. if you feel the need to wear it this summer, just hop on a plane to bergen and it will definitely be freezing enough!
Posted by: kris at June 8, 2005 09:03 AMWahou, Fruity looks really great !!!
Posted by: Marine at June 8, 2005 08:45 AMFruity does really look good and I love the sleeves and bottom edging. It is a great sweater, wear it with pride.
Posted by: francoise at June 8, 2005 08:38 AMLegolas and Gimli my foot! You've made a lovely job, your finishing always makes me want to try harder.
Posted by: Tracy at June 8, 2005 08:18 AMI have been interested in ordering yarn for Fruity for some time, so I have been watching your progress with interest. The final results are fabulous! Seeing it on real people usually makes or breaks the deal for me, so I guess my order for Cash Cotton will be going in soon. Wear your Fruity with pride and love - I think it looks great on you!
Posted by: Heathre at June 8, 2005 03:08 AMIt looks great on everybody, this Fruity.
Kristine is just not normal! xoxo Kay
Posted by: Kay at June 8, 2005 02:43 AMGreetings from Malaysia! I've been a fan of your blog for quite a while :-) Your Fruity is beautiful and looks wonderful on you! I like the picot edging too... nicely done.
Posted by: lyn at June 8, 2005 02:40 AMThe sweater is beautiful and looks great on you ! Well done !
Posted by: Eva Shiu at June 8, 2005 01:29 AMA beautiful work of art, no matter which model is wearing it! (Don't you just hate how things look so good on TALL people?) Oh well - you did a fabulous job. I made something last summer with Summer Tweed - it is REALLY warm - I think because silk is basically warmer than wool. Perfect for a cool summer night, but not the heat of the day!
Posted by: Mary Beth at June 8, 2005 12:57 AMI think Fruity came out gorgeous! And I totally agree about the Cash Cotton - I was working on a sweater with it that I decided to place on hold till Fall - it's just WAY too warm even for a summer cover up.
Posted by: jackie at June 8, 2005 12:47 AMIt looks great. It's a lovely color. I bet it feels wonderful.
Posted by: Jessica at June 8, 2005 12:29 AMI think it looks really good on you but as you say Cash cotton is not a Summer yarn. I did a cardi in the DK and it's very warm and the shedding is dreadful too but I really enjoyed knitting it as it's so soft. The shedding might stop after washing? But what is that lovely scarf you are wearing, I really love the colours.
Posted by: Marie-france at June 7, 2005 11:42 PMI just love your fruity, Polly. I wonder why Rowan made the sleeves so long, they even look a little long on Kristine, and that is after you have lopped some off. The colour looks wonderful on you, wear it with pride.
Posted by: Louise at June 7, 2005 11:28 PM