Bonsai - but not small, really

Thanks for the comments and compliments on the vest and my design in Lace Style. It is exciting to be published in a book with all the talented designers and I hope I will be able to do it again.

Today I finished a project from the latest IK - Norah Gaughan's Bonsai Tunic. It is kinda blue, so I am really doing well this year with Project Spectrum. I decided to change it a bit, to not emphasize that particular part of my body with ribbing. Contrary to the widespread believe, ribbing is not always flattering, especially not there on me. Since I used stash yarn my gauge turned out slightly larger than the given one and the fabric I got from the wool/alpaca mix is slightly stiffer than I would have liked. Unfortunately this produces unwanted horizontal lines in the pattern.




With this design as with the "Shetland Shawl turned Vest" it is imperative to have negative ease in the bust area. I used the numbers for the 46" for the lower part and fudged the 42" numbers for the bust. Fortunately I ditched the increases on the bust as intended in the pattern, with my larger gauge I would have ended up with quite the potato sack.


As I have been told, taking pictures in natural light is much more flattering. I might be able to convince Rolf to take some more tomorrow. Maybe one in which a) I look smashing, b) you won't see that I suck in my stomach, c) the play of light and shadow will hide those darn horizontal lines.

We'll see. What do you think so far?


Something Saturday

Here's a gratuitous shot of the top of the "Peek-a-boo Cloche". I don't know if there's one in the book because I haven't received my copy yet (there was a mix-up with the address, and apparently it sold like hot cakes, so I might have to wait for the second printing). It also might be, just maybe, that I am a teensy bit proud of how I worked out the decreases to look that pretty.



I had to write this post twice. My first and really good version got lost because apparently I have put an "!" where it doesn't belong. I am trying to be good and not be too upset about it, but just you ask Rolf how that played out...

Show and Tell

Remember this?
Now I can show you the real thing and tell what it is because Lace Style is out!


It's the "Shetland shawl turned vest" by Véronik. She has a blog now, go check it out.



Right after uploading the pic I uttered a sound of disbelief. Look at the circle! The seam is COMING APART. Eeeek! I have a couple of theories regarding that:

1. I must have done a really crappy job of seaming to begin with. (Can't really believe that since I hate crappy jobs of seaming...)
2. I love the vest so much that I just have been wearing the seam out. (Yup, I have been wearing this vest a lot.)
3. The yarn is not as shetlandy tough as I expected. (Maybe that's it. I guess I just have to fix it.)

And, even more exciting, I do have design in the book, too. Here you can find a picture of my "Peek-a-boo cloche".


Something anyday

Proof of my loving my vest - and my friend Nicole. This picture was taken a couple of days after Christmas, it was her daughter's birthday party, hence the unusual face decoration. I cannot be held responsible for her facial expression either, she's just goofy like that.


I have another theory: Nik might be mortified by having a picture like this posted. I am not sure.

Lots of snow

View from my office.


No sunbath on the balcony for me any time soon.