Diva Makes Her Debut
Sometimes its all about the sweater. In this case, it most definitely is. This sweater should have been called "Diva" from the beginning, but her true name didn't come to me until it was almost time to show her off.
You aren't going to model me in the dark and unblocked and without a button are you?
Well, I just can't believe you're finally finished! After all this time...
Oh, please! I've been over six months in the making. Do you really think that a few more days will really make a difference?
But I've put so much work into you...
All the more reason not to show me to the world until I am all that I can be! Shouldn't I have a grand and dramatic entrance? Much better to arrive late, but arrive in style!
How could I argue with that?
So this weekend saw a trip to Tender Buttons to find the perfect button (which isn't actually used as a button, just as a decoration to cover the plastic snap that I purchased at JoAnn's). After I got the snaps in place this morning, it was too hot to take a picture in anything containg mohair, but it was cool enough this evening for my Diva to make her debut.
Diva, in the spirit of making a grand entrance, thought you might also want to see her from a few other directions and in a few other moods. Pay no attention, she would remind you, to the model.
It should now be clear that Diva is no waif of a sweater, She is a big, voluminous girl who likes her space, and isn't afraid to drape over the divan. The Diva's pattern has 4 sizes 34", 42", 50" and 58". I chose the 42" size because I didn't want her to be clingy. Here's a shot that demonstrates that she is anything but clingy.
One of my favorite elements of the sweater is the very feminine and delicate neckline, set off with a sparkly button. In honor of the neckline (and my recent acquisition of PhotoShop Elements 2.0 -- is there anything more wonderful than having a boy who looks for good deals on software that makes my blogging experience better?), Diva bids you adieu with the final shot:
But I don't think I could start my wrap up without sharing a closeup of the button -- I just love Swarovski crystal. And this little bit of bling bling seemed like the perfect accompanyment to my Diva.
Diva would not want me to spend too long focusing on the technical details of things, so I with no further delay, this is what I learned...
- I both love and hate working with Kidsilk Haze. It is divine and soft and elegant and an utter pain in the you-know-what to have to rip. Definitely the sort of yarn that you want to take your time with. If I started getting tired, I put it down. That kept my stitches looser and my mistake level low.
- KSH is very bare skin friendly, and that surprised me, since mohair and I don't always get along very well.
- Don't let the lacy quality fool you, Diva is a very warm jacket (both silk and mohair are excellent insulators). She will be great in the fall and certainly do well over a turtle neck in the winter.
- If you work with this pattern, read carefully. There are a number of confusing elements that are not confusing if you read ahead, but will be frustrating if you don't.
- Figure out how to do picot edging on a test swatch with a yarn that is a little less attracted to itself. The edging really makes the jacket, but it has the potential to look awful if you don't do it right. And I think the instructions, as written in the pattern, for making the picot edging are not very good.
- They may take me forever, but I love lace projects. I love blocking them out and watching them come alive.
- I want to make Birch, or maybe the poncho from the new Rowan mag
You and Diva both look very glamourous! I love the button, it's just the right touch to set the sweater off.
I can't remember what Birch looks like but the KSH poncho looks lovely.
Stupendous !
A Triumph !
Seriously,I wasn't too sure about this when you started,but it's a gorgeous lacy jacket.Just the thing for an elegant night out.You've done a wonderful job,as ever.
Wow, the diva is incredible. So much detail! She looks fantastic!
Theresa, your Dive looks so gorgeous! It was worth spending so much time working on it. You made a perfect work! And thank you for sharing your experiences with the pattern and the yarn.
Well done! I have looked at the pattern (longingly) but can't quite convince myself that I can do it. You did an absolutely marvellous job-go and be proud of yourself, will ya!
Diva is a beauty. You did such an outstanding job on her. I know you will enjoy wearing her!!!
This is simply divine knitting. It is incredibly beautiful and what an accomplishment! It was wonderful to share the evolution of this project through your entries.
One question though: I understand that you installed a snap as a closure and got that glam/beautiful button, just for decorative purposes. How did you get that button not to pull and sag the delicate lace down?
I heartily vote for the Karis short poncho. If KidSilk Haze knitting can be relaxing - this is it! The lace edging is fun and the body lace is basically a feather and fan varient.
Stunning. Absolutely the finest lace jacket I have ever seen. You model it beautifully, and your work is truly inspirational. I second Pubah on the snap-and-lace installation question. Please share!
It makes me feel a whole lot better that *other people's* sweaters talk to them too.
;-)
That is a very well-done piece of knitting...the lace, the edging, the mohair.... All the obstacles would have definitely stopped a lesser knitter-chick! The button is the perfect choice. You and Diva (and maybe the hubby if Diva is feeling generous) must go someplace pricey and decadent to celebrate.
Gorgeous. I second the celebration part of finishing this sweater.
That is stunning! bravo!
Oh my goodness, that is STUNNING. What a classy jacket...I bet it's as soft as cloud to wear and swishes elegantly as you walk! Perfect sleeve length and hem, and I love the button you chose for it. Wonderful attention to detail, as always.
[Applauds madly.]
superb.
you both look marvelous.
Go on and make birch.
I've knitted it and it was a great satisfaction, even if I had to endure the first 30 rows as they were driving me crazy.
Valeria
Bravo! She is a Diva. I have the same love/hate relationship with kidsilk haze. It produces great effects, but what a bear to work with!
The picots totally make the jacket, and were SO worth the multiple tries getting them right. Beautiful!
Beautiful Theresa!
That's stunning! I hope that someday I'll have the patience and skill to tackle a project like that!
Yowza! Diva indeed...yummy work there chica.
Yet another beautiful piece from the knitting lab of TKB.
You'll have to take her out somewhere fancy this fall.
How about the Opera or the ballet?
I think she'd like that and would fit right in with the Divas on stage!
ohmygoodness! I am so impressed with the final gorgeous garment! I found your progress blog-entries fascinating, and of course your technical notes at the project's end are fantastic. Wow! Is that GORGEOUS!!!!!
Fabulous!
Diva is to die for. Absoloutely a wonderful job.
Simply amazing. Looks smashing on you.
Theresa, the filigree sweater is absolutely beautiful and so are you wearing it!
Wow
What a work of art, truly inspiring!! It looks beautiful!!
How incredibly beautiful! It was worth all of the effort!
diva is beautiful! i always enjoy your blog and your projects are inspiring. thanks!