Tuesday 15 June 2010

Leafy cardigan

You may have gathered by the lack of posting that sewing around here is deadly dull at the moment. Did you want to see a few bloke t shirts and a teenager skivvy? No? How about knickers from merino, wicking polyester or bamboo jersey? No? I understand, but did you know that quick dry travel knickers are an absolutely outrageous price? Just think of all the fabric I could buy in France just for making undies. Totally worth it or maybe not.

Unable to completely stifle my creative urges, I have indulged in some experimental knitting. (All seamstresses may leave the blog if overcome with complete disinterest)

SAM_1086
The cardigan is for my travel wardrobe, knit from 4ply/category 2 , Jo Sharp alpaca silk georgette.

This is my own pattern (pats self on back). The leaves are mainly taken from Nicci Epstein's Knitting on the Edge Book. I would like to point out that her trims are all unidirectional, and not charted - what use is that when you want to put them on the middle of a cardigan?
SAM_1100

SAM_1096

SAM_1089

I am currently sewing a gortex rain parka-come-jacket. If coat maker extraordinaire Mary Nanna had not made one, from Burda no less, I would feel very out of fashion. Why are technical clothes dorky? This pattern has welt pockets, with zippers. I am eternally grateful to Kenneth King for his ribbon welt pocket technique - there is no wriggle room in Gortex.

14 comments:

Allison said...

Wow, wow and wow! That is an absolutely gorgeous cardigan and I can't believe how quickly you knitted it up. I love all the beautiful details!

I live in an area where technical clothes are a must and almost everyone has gortex and other sorts of soft and hard shells for winter. Guess I'm lucky as the entire population looks dorky all winter so we all think we look just fine ... and, we're dry!

Gail said...

Such a pretty cardigan. Should have paid more attention in knitting class at school all those years ago. You look so much like my aunt when she was young in this photo it is uncanny.

Sharon said...

Such a pretty cardigan and I'm very impressed it is your own design.

Yes those quick dry knickers are a god send on holiday, take up no room and dry overnight and yes I paid a fortune for them LOL.

Gay McDonell said...

Great cardi - very very clever!

Mary Nanna said...

BIG pat on the back for that stunning cardy. Beautiful everything. It's totally gorgeous.

Best of luck with the Gore-tex raincoat - I found it easier to sew than some of the other rain coat fabrics but the operative word is "easier" not "easy."

I'm sure you will make a superlative job of it. I remember you mentioning you've sewn gore-tex before so it's no stranger to you. What has surprised me about it is how warm it is - I hadn't realised how much of the chill comes from the wind before - I just though rain = cold, but it's the wind that really makes me feel cold.

KID, MD said...

Beautiful cardigan!! The leaf inset on the back is stunning.

Jen said...

Absolutely gorgeous!! I am in awe of your knitting & designing skills.

Mary Beth said...

Wonderful cardy. Congrats are in order on great design and knitting up!

HeathersSphere said...

Exquisitely stunning cardigan! I adore the details and color. Very impressive and inspirational!

Uta said...

Well, actually, I'm overcome with a complete desire to start knitting! That cardigan is gorgeous.

Carol said...

This is a lovely cardigan and a really pretty colour. I didn't know there was such a thing as quick dry undies. I think that's rather funny.

a little sewing said...

Your cardigan could not be any more gorgeous. And it is perfection with that dress. The colors, the proportions, the details, oh it is all wonderful!

MareeAlison said...

That cardi is just so gorgeous and I really like the subtle colour.

Karen - there was an advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald this morning for the Fabric Store here in Sydney and they now stock NZ Merino fabric. Just in case you're interested. Cheers.

Amy Stanton said...

Your cardigan is amazing!