She's done... and about time too. Alex's birthday has already passed and this thing is still not in the post. It's got to travel nearly 7000 miles to get to her. This colour is a bit hard to photograph. The sun's going down and I'm doing this without the flash.
I added some bias tape to the button band and the collar to give the knitting a bit of support. It made sewing the buttons much easier and added a more personal touch. I also lengthened the collar by an extra repeat of the trellis thingy, to avoid having the collar flip up in back.
These were the closest colour buttons that I could find. I bought an extra and sewed it into the seams. They were a very good deal at Peter Jones, only 10p a button.
The front ...
and the back... and all those bits of trellis, smocked up.
The final artistic shot.... soft focused hung on a chair.. as a mother might do for a child after taking it off.
OK, 6 smocks jackets done to date. I can imagine a few more in the future though. ;-) ... gosh I'm unimaginative!
Now that we are on the topic of sweet things....
Baklava is divine, the food of the gods... thin pastry, filled with walnuts and drizzled with honey. Hamdi is reputed to offer the best baklava in Istanbul.
You can only buy in in 1 kilogram boxes (and that's a lot of baklava for 2 people to nosh).
But opening that box is so exciting.
Especially, when you see what's inside. Gorgeous, don't you think? For me, better than chocolate.
Baklava is an aphrodisiac. The 2 main ingredients, walnut and honey, plus other spices (Cinnamon for females, and cardamom for males and cloves for both sexes) were supposed to augment the aphrodisiac characteristics of this sweet.
Traditionally, baklava was baked only on special occasions and was a dish served by the wealthy until the 19th century. (Honey and walnuts were very expensive). In Turkey, it is still common to hear : "I am not rich enough to eat baklava and boerek every day". eventhough it is no longer a luxury sweet
I grew up thinking the baklava was a Greek dish, but in fact it is common to all the mid-eastern countries. The Greek did improve the original baklava by introducing the filo pastry. I think that all the 'ancient' cultures along the fertile crescent lay some claim to it. .. the best part is trying baklava from different regions. The different honeys and different blend of nuts make this a superbly subtle dish to enjoy... but only 1 piece at a time, if you still want to fit any of your clothing!
Posted by atu at October 21, 2005 09:01 PMOh my gosh!!!!!!!!! this is teh cutest thing I've seen in a LONG time!! Great job!
Posted by: Rachel at October 25, 2005 07:13 AMPretty! What a lucky little one.
Posted by: Dana at October 24, 2005 06:56 PMThe jacket is beautiful.
Posted by: kirsty at October 24, 2005 04:47 PMHi Polly !
Your red smock jacket looks great ! It is very good idea to add beads on it. Tempting by you, I am knitting smock jacket too. Mine is in pink colour. Only one sleeve to finish. It is really a nice pattern and I think I will knit again in the future !
Happy knitting !
Eva
Posted by: Eva Shiu at October 24, 2005 04:23 AMI absolutely love your smock sweater. Did you create this pattern yourself or is there someplace I can buy a copy? It would be perfect for my granddaughters.
Posted by: Marie Reimer at October 23, 2005 02:59 PMAbsolutely adorable. I love the beads.
Posted by: Jennifer at October 23, 2005 12:20 PMit is a so, so beautifull jacket!
But did i read right? Baklava, "better than chocolate"? I hope you're not meaning "better than belgian chocolates", mmmh? ;-)
you may think you are unimaginative - but that is absolutely delightful!
remind me to stay friends with you just in case i ever end up having a sprog of my own ;-)
btw - i am a baklava addict myself. my family being from part of europe that was under the ottomon empire's influece for years - i've even made it a few times ... but this just happens to be one of few sweets that i prefer shop bought than home made. or maybe i just dont know how to make it properly.
Posted by: jacqueline at October 23, 2005 05:32 AMThe jacket is very lovely. It will be an heirloom!!! What pattern/book did you use?
Posted by: bernie at October 23, 2005 02:09 AMOnce again, beautiful knitting Polly. I love the use of bias tape inside the neck edge. It really gives the garment a "couture" feel and I think helps stabalize those seams. Lucky little girl - I am sure she will look adorable in it.
Posted by: Carol at October 23, 2005 12:05 AMDarling little jacket. Your pictures are devine!
Posted by: Chery at October 22, 2005 11:48 PMThe smocked jacket is adorable, some little girl is going to look smashing in it.
As for the baklava, you have me drooling over the keyboard. I really must see if I can find some of that in my neck of the woods.
Posted by: Louise at October 22, 2005 11:14 PMI love the little jacket. I can just picture a little kid running around in it. Does the mom know that she is getting it or is it a surprise? What kind ofyarn did you use?
Posted by: Diane at October 22, 2005 02:03 PMI love the little jacket. I can just picture a little kid running around in it. Does the mom know that she is getting it or is it a surprise? What kind ofyarn did you use?
Posted by: Diane at October 22, 2005 02:03 PMI love the little jacket. I can just picture a little kid running around in it. Does the mom know that she is getting it or is it a surprise? What kind ofyarn did you use?
Posted by: Diane at October 22, 2005 02:03 PMThe first time I ever tried baklava, I was 12. A box of homemade stuff was brought to class by my Lebanese friend, and I loved it from the first moment I bit into it. I've loved it ever since, and try to buy some whenever I have the chance.
I didn't know about the aphrodesiac qualities, though. Pretty neat!
Posted by: Winter at October 22, 2005 01:51 PMThe jacket looks terrific! And that baklava . . . mmmm, makes me hungry!
Posted by: Val at October 22, 2005 12:54 PMBeautiful jacket Polly. The bias tape was a very good idea which I might have to copy. Baclava is wonderful, my favourite sweet treat.
Posted by: Mary at October 22, 2005 11:40 AMIt seems to me that all of the cultures in that area of the world claim to be the originators of all of the lovely food that you can find there - hummus, haloumi - you name. They usually change a few letters in the name but it's all essentially the same.
Next time I see you, you will need to explain how smocking works, it look gorgeous but I just don't see how it happens.
Aww. Precious cardi. Beautiful. And the perfect color.
Funny, I was made to believe that Baklava was a Greek dish way back in my 10th grade world history class! And at the Greek festival where I used to live it was one of the most popular things people would buy. Funny how certain things like that (typically food) get stereotyped into a culture even though it doesn't officially belong to them!
Posted by: Laura at October 22, 2005 06:40 AMWhat a beautiful little jacket! Suddenly the plain cardi I'm knitting for Nea looks boring. ;)
And I'm so with you on the baklava... It's heavenly.
Posted by: Kristel at October 22, 2005 05:59 AMPolly, the perfection of that jacket is breathtaking! So beautiful, a treasured heirloom for sure!
Posted by: Debi at October 22, 2005 02:42 AMGreat job. I really admire the attention to detail with regards to the finishing.
Posted by: Colleen at October 22, 2005 02:36 AMThe smock jacket is so beautiful, with such attention to detail! It's bound to be an heirloom. And what a gorgeous box of baclava - haven't even seen that stuff in ages!
Posted by: joy at October 22, 2005 01:14 AMyes, yes, the jacket is supercute and all, but we want to know how the aphrodisiac worked out ! a whole kilo of it!
Posted by: kris at October 22, 2005 01:07 AMWhat a sweet little coat for a child. My granddaughter would love it!
Posted by: Kim at October 22, 2005 12:29 AMLovely cardigan, Polly. So sweet! I've had it on my todo list for ages. I must start it soon. Any other tips?
Posted by: Daisy at October 21, 2005 11:34 PMBeautifully done, Polly, a real work of art. And all that sewing.......but it looks as if it was certainly worth it.
Posted by: Jill at October 21, 2005 10:59 PMOh what a wonderful job knitting you have done - the detail is beautiful, from the handsewing of the tape to the beads - everything!
Hmm, I think I could have been you there in Istanbul. I could see myself as you were, tracking down and buying baklava!
Give yourself a good pat on the back - good knitting and great dessert!
Posted by: terry at October 21, 2005 09:51 PMThis little jacket is indeed very sweet. It was worth all the wait. Well done Polly!
Posted by: francoise at October 21, 2005 09:42 PM