I've been lusting after this jacket for years, since the book was first published. The ribbon edged jacket seems so stylish, the perfect thing to wear to work or over jeans for the weekend.
I ordered the yarn (and some other yarns as well) from an unscrupulous UK vendor that promised to deliver but never came up with the goods or the refund. Yeah right, the cheque is in the mail... I think that we can all agree that this is shameful behaviour. It has been a long time and I refuse to become bitter and twisted over a petty thing like money. I'm not going to publicly name the vendor because the site no longer exists and I prefer to not have my blog to turn into a public denounciation forum.
Suffice to say, that if I would ever see this vendor in person, I would personally escort her to the nearest cashpoint and demand refunds for myself and others that I know that have paid up and not received their goods. Unless of course, if she should happen to read this, and suddenly decides to do the right thing... because we all know 'what comes around, goes around'.
Due to this unpleasant episode, I have always found it hard to knit this jacket. Would wearing it always remind me of this betrayal of trust? In the end, I'd decided to go for it, using some stashed yarn, that has very pleasant memories. I'm using some discontinued Ivy magpie tweed that I bought in a sale, ages ago. It's in 2 different dyelots, and I still have yet to figure out how to divide up to break up the shading, because what fun would it be to be able to knit something straightforward and not have to think?
I had stashed the yarn for the Tide Cardigan from the Rowan Tweed Collection and one day, I saw the completed cardigan on Alpaca Woman. You see, Alpaca Woman and I have a tendency to knit similar styles. We both made Fruity (Mine, hers) and the fluffy Garnstudio Alaska & Eskimo pull-over without that horrid rose motif and planned to knit Eriskay and Grace. Since we know each other in real life, see each other in real life, the probability of looking like 'tweedle dee' and step-sister is higher than I would like. You remember Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Devito in Twins?
Added Later
Because a few of you had asked (and a picture is worth a thousand words)
The stitch for this jacket is a modified waffle. It's alternating 1 row of 1x1 rib with 1 row of stocking stitch, so it's real slow going. I mean, this is all I got done after watching CSI-NY, Law and Order: Criminal Intent and Officer and Gentlemen (all on Saturday night TV, can you tell I live the exciting life?) and using 4.5mm needles!
Here's a close-up of the stitch. It's so hard to photograph. The colour in the top photo is more representative of the yarn. The fabric is pretty stiff and I am getting concerned that I'm going to look like I'm wearing a bullet proof vest with sleeves and frilled ribbon. I've looked everywhere to see if anyone has made it and was happy with it, but I guess the expensive ribbon and stitch might had put most people off.
The recommended ribbon is hideously expensive and may end up costing more than the yarn (I know that the yarn was on sale, but still...) , so I'm out to look for some possible alternatives. I am so looking forward to ribbon shopping this weekend. VV Rouleaux, here I come!
and another thing ...
Geek, if you sponsor me for £5, I will wear my woolly hat every day next week to work. In fact, I will sponsor you too, if you promise wear a woolly hat to work every day next week.
If you click on the Woolly Hat picture, you'll find out that British & International Sailors' Society (Biss) is collecting knitted woolly hats for seafarers. I'm going to email them to see if they would get Patons to support us for a hat-along. Surely a few able minded knitters can rack out a few hats, right? If only so that we can say .. 'Hey sailor, is that a Noro/Patons/Rowan hat that you're wearing?'
Thanks for the Kiri pattern. Again one made in here Finland for my KO -knitting.
Posted by: tikru at February 19, 2006 09:50 AM
The ribbon called for (if I'm remembering correctly) can either be bought on the spool for a LOT of money, or bought by the yard more reasonably at textile shops. If you can't find it or a replacement locally, send me an email as I know our shop carries it in a bunch of colors.
i've always loved that db jacket. so nice of you to knit it so i can follow your progress! and closeups of tweed yarn always get my heart racing ;-)
Posted by: kris at February 17, 2006 03:32 PMThe cardigan is gorgeous - I saw the one from the book a while back and it really lovely to wear. Do let us know if there's a hat knitalong, I like the idea of some 2x2 ribbing in the round. A.x
The other night, I happened to be looking through the issue of Knitter's in which Eriskay appeared (ah, those were the days) and remembered that I had wanted to make it. Of course, the original yarn is now discontinued. Bother, that always sets off a long, quixotic quest for a suitable substitute that inveritably ends in frustration.
If you ever take up the challenge, I'll be there rooting for you and may even join in.
Posted by: michelle at February 16, 2006 05:07 PMWhere does one find the Grace pattern. It's lovely.
Posted by: Jenelle at February 16, 2006 01:49 PMDear Polly, You got this wrong. You were supposed to send something that is not loved, not something as nice as these yarns you sent me. I have never tried either one and I'm so HAPPY to try these both! Thank you with warm hugs.
And the Jaffa Cakes, I was just about to make myself a cup of coffee and was sort of sad of not having anything good with it, and then you package arrived. You have really made my day. Thanks again!
I love what you're using for the jacket -- beautiful colorway.
And thank you for reminding me that I have the yarn for Fruity and want to make it!
Posted by: Wendy at February 16, 2006 12:14 PMDear Sis, Interesting what you say about the fabric being so firm - do you think it's because of the difference between the DB yarn and Rowan? I know from Tide that, once washed, the magpie tweed will soften beautifully, so bear that in mind.
Hmmm, maybe I should dig out my yarn and get cracking...
Oh, I love that jacket too! I think the stiff fabric will complement the pattern nicely, in that it will be more like a structured suit jacket than a floppier sweater. Sorry to hear it's slow going. Looks great, though! Cheers-
Posted by: Dana at February 16, 2006 12:03 AMLovely tweedy yarn. Will there be a twin modelling shot when it's done? Eriskay is beautiful too - I'll happily make up a trio and we could be triplets for that one.
Posted by: Mary at February 15, 2006 11:39 PMI can just see the upper half of the cardi on the cover ... it looks nice. Hope yours would turn out to be something loved by you. I love Jean Moss's design in the book that has something to do with architecture ... forgot the name. So, I was excited to find her site from your post ... somehow never thought of searching for her site. I feel that she is undeservedly ignored here in the States.
Posted by: Agnes at February 15, 2006 11:21 PMI too love Eriskay - but just couldn't do it. I tried and tried - there was just something about the pattern that I could not make work. Thanks for reminding us about Fruity - another on my to do list and the jacket you are making. I have the yarn stashed somewhere.....
Posted by: Carol at February 15, 2006 11:00 PMIt's very pretty, I hope you enjoy every minute of knitting it and even more minutes of wearing it. It's good to just move on, and set annoyances aside, sometimes difficult, but good nonetheless.
Posted by: Rebekah at February 15, 2006 10:44 PMWhat beautiful colours there are in that tweed, yummy!! Funnily enough Eriskay and Grace have been on my wish list for years, what good taste you twins have ;-)
Posted by: Jacinta at February 15, 2006 10:19 PM