Thursday, February 08, 2007

Finally...a finished project.

Olive is finally finished.
I am not touching it again...



Started: Oh around December 28th 2006
Finished: Let's say a January 28th, 2007
Pattern: Olive from Simple Knits.
Yarn: Laines du nord dolli maxi
Adjustments: I lengthened the body a little...and that's all I can remember.

Do I love it...well love is such a strong word...I like it...enough to wear it. It's fine. The lumps are pretty much gone...see here...but I think it is the zipper I don't like. The big plastic teeth...no they aren't working for me. I think they are the main cause of the wavy zipper. I really don't want to order a 3$ zipper on line then pay shipping and duty on it.
I just don't love the sweater enough.
I don't love the sweater enough for a 3$ zipper plus shipping and duty...that's sad.

Maybe it is the chunky yarn? I know, I know, I have already said I don't like sweaters knit in a chunky yarn. Last time, really. I have learned my lesson.

More on putting in the zipper this week...

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think it looks great! You do such awesome work....

marirob said...

It looks fantastic! The color looks really good on you.

I know what you mean about zippers - I've now been avoiding zippered cardigans because of the idea of having to put in a zipper just makes my head hurt. But I think yours looks very professional!

Carol said...

I think it looks great. So there.

Unknown said...

Well, I think it looks awesome on you. Perfect fit. Beautiful color. Gorgeous work. I bet it becomes an "old favorite" one of these days.

Anonymous said...

I don't know what it is about looking at ourselves in mirrors or photos, but we never see our absolute marvelousnesss the way others do. You look GORGEOUS in this sweater to me. But maybe the look of it isn't what's bothering you...

Anonymous said...

I don't think it looks chunky! Not at all. And the color is very nice, too. I'm knittig the Sesame cardigan (my first!) at nearly the same gauge and I like it so far. It's stockinette though, all-over-ribbing would kill me! Anyway, I was thinking about substituting the buttons for a zipper, but feel kinda discouraged after reading your post. :(

Anna said...

Maybe it'll grow on you? ;)

earthchick said...

I really think it looks fabulous on you. I totally understand you about the chunky yarn thing - I feel the same way. I'll see a chunky yarn sweater in a picture and love it, but when I make it myself it just feels too.... I don't know, chunky. But I really love the sweater you've made and it looks great on you.

On a completely different subject, I just have to say I love you hair. As a fellow curlyhead, I know how important a good cut is - and I think your cut is fantastic. Your hair is just beautiful. (if I hadn't recently found a stylist in Ann Arbor that I love, I'd be begging the name of your stylist from you and hopping on over to Windsor to get mine cut there)

Dove Knits said...

I think it looks nice. How nice? Well, I didn't realize it WAS a chunky yarn until you said it was.

pacalaga said...

It's beautiful! What a wonderful color on you, and the ribbing is so eye-pleasing! I can't see enough of the zipper to know what you mean, but I think you did a wonderful job!

Emma said...

I think it looks really beautiful. I hope you will grow to love it!

Anonymous said...

Aww, you look less than thrilled with such a beautiful sweater. I guess the zipper thing was too trying for you to completely in love with it.

Oh well, we all still think it looks great!

Kristy said...

It really does look great. The color looks great with your skin, and it doesn't read as "chunky" at all to me.

goodkarma said...

I love this color for you. Your cheeks are rosy!

I ordered a color card from zipperstop.com way back when. It might be a good investment for a prolific knitter like you (for future projects)... I don't know if you have to pay extra duty, etc., for things to be sent to Canada from the US, but if you had the color card and knew exactly which zipper you wanted, you could easily find a US knitter (like me!) to order it for you and send it to you.

Does that just make it all the more complicated?

In the end, I think this is a beautiful cardi that looks wonderful on you.

Amy said...

I never like chunky yarn on myself either, but if it helps, the sweater does look fantastic on you. The color, the ribbing, everything. Even the zipper!

KarenK said...

The sweater does look great on you, but I see what you mean about the zipper. Check out the Feb. 5 entry on Grumperina's blog:
http://www.grumperina.com/knitblog/

for a terrific explanation of what to do about that. I've been knitting for years and learned something new and very useful about putting in zippers, and now will be able to finish my Ribby Cardie knowing that it will look fantastic.

Anonymous said...

Carolyn - your sweater looks way good, and the color is definitely perfect for you. If the zipper is totally buggin, then wear a tee underneath and just zip part way.... It does look totally great now though....

Anonymous said...

I think it looks beautiful! Neither lumpy nor chunky nor anything. The color is one of my favourites, too.

Ninabeena said...

Gosh I really think it looks great. You're being too hard on yourself. The color is amazing on you too.

Sue said...

I love the jacket, and I think the zipper looks fine too. I prefer the metal ones though for adult knits, and the chunky plastic ones for kids knits. The color really suits you too.

Ruth said...

It really does look beautiful, but I understand that sometimes you just don't feel the love for the finished object. Sorry this is one of those!

Mindy said...

The sweater looks great and I love the color.

Brandy said...

I love your sweater. I think it looks amazing!!

Anonymous said...

Even if you don't *love* it, I think you'll get some use out of it - the color is great, and the fit is nice, too! Great job!

Jacqui said...

As all the others here I think the sweater looks great on you. The colour really compliments your complexion, and it doesn't look bulky to me at all. But I hear ya; if you don't feel good wearing something you never feel comfortable in it.

I'm wearing a cardigan right now that my Mom knit for me and it has a lightweight nylon zip with tiny teeth. I find it doesn't bunch or pucker at all. And knowing Mom I'll bet she picked it up at the Fabricland across from Tecumseh Mall.

Anonymous said...

Its a beautiful color, beautiful pattern and it looks great on you.

I understand about the zipper, something about plastic closures that seem so kidlike to me almost like I am not wearing grown up clothes.

Angie said...

BEAUTIFUL! I'm afraid of zippers, so I'd never make that, but you have done an outstanding job of executing the ever so tricky zipper business. Bravo!

Susanne said...

Perhaps it is like sewing a really heavy zipper into a fine linen garment. Maybe the zipper is too heavy for the sweater. You could try a lighter one. and do what the Grumperina suggests. It looks fabulous though and I love the fit.

Kris said...

The sweater is lovely...perfect color for your skin tone and drapes nicely. I think the sweater deserves a pricey zipper. I know I wouldn’t wear it if I didn’t love everything about it...maybe it will be a gift?

Samantha said...

It looks lovely.

Anonymous said...

I think you sweater is beautiful, and a most wonderful color. Get the diffrent zipper if it will make you love it. It may just be worth it..

onescrappychick said...

Well, I think it's gorgeous.. and as you and I have the same coloring... I'd love to have such a beautiful sweater if you don't love it so much (grins and winks).

And being of the "not brave enough to knit anything that needs a zipper yet" sort... I am impressed (as always) with your awesome knitting skils.

Kristen said...

And yet, I looked at Olive and thought, "Man I wish all my handknits looked that good." You should see the one I've got on right now. My husband said it looked like a Medieval tunic. Oh dear.

Unknown said...

the colour looks fantastic on you. i know you aren't completely thrilled with the cardi - but it really does look good and is going to be so versatile.

Anonymous said...

That looks great! And the perfect color on you...nice job

Lolly said...

Each of us is our harshest critic - you may not like it, but I think everyone else does! :) it looks beautiful on you, C!

Anonymous said...

I think it looks great, but I understand the paranoia you're feeling. I get the same thing when I wear shirts or blouses which button all the way down the front. I have quite a large bust, and I'm always convinced the shirt is pulling at the buttons. This leads to me a) buying shirts which are really way too big and/or b) constantly tugging at the front.
I have pretty much given up wearing shirts as a result and I suspect you will find you don't wear your zipped cardi very often either.
It REALLY REALLY looks good, but I doubt you'll ever believe it yourself.
Don't say we commenters didn't try!

Josette said...

I continue to be astounded with your knitting ability, your speed, and your determination to follow through. I think I would have put it down - even with just a zipper left to go. Also, you look awesome in it so, even if it doesn't 'grab' you - I hope you feel great about it and wear the darn thing out.

Anonymous said...

I think it looks fabulous. The colour is you and the fit is perfect.

Nana Sadie said...

Gorgeous! The color is especially good on you, and I think you're being too hard on yourself - ok too hard on the zipper! lolol

Congrats - it's lovely...
(((hugs)))

Alisha said...

I think it looks awesome. You did a great job!!!

It looks great on you too!!!!

Kris said...

Wow, I am totally inspired. Gotta knit an Olive!

Liz said...

It does look great on you. The color is fantastic. Perhaps you'll like it more if you wear it unzipped over a tshirt. That's how I prefer to wear my zipped cardi's.


Beautiful job!

maureen said...

This sweater looks great on you... if you don't love it get a better zipper. Come on... $3 (plus shipping of course) could change your relationship from like... and will wear... to love. :)

I love the look of zippers, but HATE the time they take to insert correctly. I've decided to use a local (two doors down from LYS) tailor. Well worth it.

Debbie said...

I LOVE IT! Love it a lot, send it here....really...I'll wear it always :-D