You've Twisted My Arm!

Thanks for all of your helpful comments about the Anthro sweater from the last post. I wish I could say that I will be casting on for that project soon for you to follow, but that will not be the case!

Why you ask? Well, I've finally set a date for my wedding. It's been set for a little while now, but it's coming up fast - January 12th. And in typical last minute Melissa fashion, I have barely worked on my dress. This should be first on my list of priorities, but it's not because I have 2 deadline knitting projects that are due on December 17th and January 5th!

Oh and did I forget to also mention that I promised to knit my Aunt a shrug to wear with her dress to my wedding? It's knit on size 3s and the yarn was just ordered yesterday. Maybe I'll be able to throw it on my knitting machine..........

Am I insane? I'm usually able to handle what I throw my own way, but this time I'm really testing myself.

I MUST have this sweater

I'm not usually one to get the urge to knock-off a design for myself, but when my salesperson brought this sweater back from Paris about a two months ago, I just HAD to have it!

I wanted to take down all the details, but before I could, it went off to this appointment and that. Then it ended up in HK for customer development. I made it known that as soon as it comes back I NEED it!!! (For my line - of course) It came back a few weeks ago and all stitches, measurements and details have been recorded.

Then one Tuesday at LIC knit, I was flipping through the new Anthropologie catalog that Carolyn had brought to knit group and there it was again!

So I'm obsessed and must make it. I know exactly what yarn I'm going to use and everything. I'll even relearn how to crochet for the button placket detail. Anything, anything to have this sweater in my wardrobe this year.


My Rhinebeck purchase with this sweater in mind.I'm just afraid of one thing - it's going to be everywhere - like the Pringle sweater (Old Navy has a nice one for $30). I ask myself, is it worth it if I see it knocked off in every store you could ever think of? Will I still want to wear it? Considering I have been drooling over it for almost 2 months now, I want to think I won't care, but that was before I saw it in Anthropology.........

I love Anthropology. I really, really do. But I'm so torn about copying a sweater from there. I feel so.....cheap. If it was less known and harder to get a hold of the original, I feel I have an excuse, but Anthro is just a few subway stops away. I guess my excuse could be saving $100 off the cost of the sweater? But is that still justified - even if I would NEVER spend the $198 on it no matter how much I like it? The jury is still out.

Off to London.........

I'm off to London on Thursday for a little shopping trip for work. I'm not really much of a flyer, so I'm a little nervous, but I think everything will be ok. I just wish I would be able to knit both coming and going, but I know that Heathrow is a bit strict about knitting needles. Waaaa!

I've never been overseas before, but I don't think I'll have much time for site seeing. We literally shop til we drop from when the stores open to when they close. This may sound like fun, but trust me, it's very tiring! Although it's always exciting the first time I suppose and it's better than being stuck in a cubicle all day!

Off to pack! Now if I could only remember what I did with my passport.......

Jumped the gun a bit on writing up this post on Tuesday! Unfortunately 3 days of turning my apartment upside down did not yield the precious passport. Everything else important was in it's place, but the passport had walked off apparently. Another designer went in my place this time, but luckily this will not be my last shot at the trip. Waaa!

Grannie #2 and Yarn Forward Magazine

I finally had some time to get a final shot of Grannie #2 this past weekend! Here's the details:



Pattern: Grannie Smith Cardigan by moi
Yarn: Lanas Puras Melosa Fingering 3 skeins of Eggplant
Needles: Size 4
Started: June 2007
Finished: October 2007

Pattern Notes: This sweater is just a slight variation to the original Grannie in Kid silk. I changed up the yarn, made the sleeves a bit shorter, and added one more button. The wool gives the sweater a bit tighter fit than the kid silk, which I really like.

I have created a special version of Grannie Smith with all the details for working it up in the Lanas Puras yarn - which is up for sale at One Planet Yarn and Fiber. If you have purchased the pattern in the past from me and would like to have this version emailed to you, please drop me a line at: neoknits AT yahoo DOT com. Please include your paypal email address when writing.

And we have a busy day here at neoknits with another Secret Reveal long in the making! I made this sweater over a year ago for Hip Knits, but then it got pulled to be included in Kerrie's Yarn Forward Magazine. Sometimes patience brings better opportunities I suppose! :)

Victoria
by Melissa Wehrle


Victoria is a 3/4 sleeve cardigan with a neckline that starts out as a crew and ends in a V. Mesh stitch lace panels running up each side seam add a touch of interest. Worked up in Aran weight cashmere, it's a quick satisfying knit for even the busiest knitter.

You can find this pattern in Issue #3 of Yarn Forward Magazine.