Butterfly Set Free
Butterfly hit the "completely finished" point at about 3 pm this afternoon -- including hook and eye clasp. I'm rather pleased with the result. Especially the back of the collar, which laid perfectly after another round of blocking (this time I laid the collar flat on the board without any sweater underneath it and pinned it down gently so that I could get the blue edge to sit properly) that I did following getting the sleeves sewn in.
I think that it is really the collar that makes this sweater -- gives Butterfly her serious wings. I also like the effect of all the different stripe widths in the different pieces. The back, fronts, sleeves and collar are all different widths, thus, the striping varies. And I made no real attempt to match the sleeves or the fronts, I just let the pieces start where they started.
Even with an inch less length than called for in the pattern, the sleeves are still pretty long. Probably I should have shortened it by two inches before the cap shaping. Not a problem, really, though, since I took another page out of Julie's book and decided to cuff the bottom of the sleeves.
Overall, I like this project a great deal. I took the sweater out for a test wearing this evening and it did well. I do wish it had a little shaping in the waist area, but I am not sure it could be done without disrupting the other lines of the sweater. The jury is still out on the hook and eye. It does seem to be the right size fastener for the job, but it remains to be seen as to how well it will stay put.
What did I learn?
- Binding off all the stitches at the neckline of the back provided a lot of nice structural sweater stability.
- Noro Kureyon grows a little bit after you soak it.
- It's not always necessary to match all my stripes.
- I really like the look of seed stitch borders
If you're considering Butterfly, it's not a hard project. There's very little shaping to speak of, the assembly is not terribly complex and aside from picking up stitches for the collar, there's almost no finishing beyond seaming. It looks equally lovely in stripes or solid (see Claudia's lovely Butterfly for an example.)
Now it's time to start knocking off a few more projects on my unfinished list (my sweetie definitely deserves a new pair of socks and a sweater for winter) and to get started on a couple of holiday presents. And my 4th skein of Lion and Lamb for Clapotis arrived from Lansing on Friday (thanks, Rob!) so Clapotis is going to be back in rotation as well. The only real question looming right now is whether or not I will give into my desire to order yarn for a Ribby Cardi. Stay tuned...
Hi ! Butterfly looks great on you ! The colour is stunning. Well done !
Tres chic!
That Butterfly looks fabulous - I agree about the collar and thanks for the suggestion that it also suits plain yarn. I'm going to look at all the Noro patterns with a fresh (plain) eye!
FANTASTIC ! You look so beautiful in your Butterfly.There's something about the pattern...
I'm putting shaping in at the sides to make mine a-line.It just requires a little fudging to keep the pattern looking good.I was thinking of going up a needle size part way through the collar to assist with the lying flat.A friend tacked hers down to prevent flapping !
Better crack on with mine ! This is a fabulous FO.
x
p.s. Shimmer 5 & book are ordered.I'll e-mail you later.
Butterfly is beautiful. Another great project!
Your Butterfly looks fabulous. Thank you for putting such detailed comments on your site. As a newie knitter it really helps! I have also been eyeing that ribby cardi.
Simply breathtaking. The colors are so vivid and lush. Sleeve length and torso length hit at the ideal point. Clearly, this is among the most beautiful of the Butterfly's I've seen!
P.S. Do you EVER have a bad hair day?
P.P.S. I couldn't resist. I went off and ordered yarn for the ribby cardi. Join me!
Oh it is just beautiful on you Theresa! Seeing you in yours is almost satisfying enough for me to not have to knit it myself :-)
Great knitting, great knitter!
Beautiful! I've really enjoyed reading all of your notes and thoughts on the process.
Your Butterfly looks so fabulous on you. I LOVE it!! The collar is amszing. What a stunning sweater!!
That Butterfly is beautiful--congrats. I'm curious about why you're planning to use 4 skeins of Lion & Lamb for Clapotis. I've ordered three--do you have secret knowledge here?
Thanks.
Oh, Butterfly -- and you : beautiful! i got the book lately and am considering that design myself. I'm only 5'4", though, so I am a bit worried about length. And I have a 10-pack, but I bet I could get a couple more skeins and be OK for it. . .
It's funny -- from all the earlier pictures you've posted, I honestly didn't think I liked the colors in your Butterfly. But all sewn together and on you -- I have to agree with all the other commentors -- it's beautiful! I'm glad I was proven wrong!
That is a nicely shaped sweater on you. Excellent! Amazingly, long sleeve-itis strikes again....It seems the Kureyon just "grew" because the shoulders seem to be sitting right, and the back neck seems the appropriate width.
You really look gorgeous in your Butterfly, Theresa!
Love your Butterfly! Can't wait to see it in person this weekend!
Looks gorgeous! Really nice job and the colors are great on you. I just got the Ribby Cardi pattern, and yarn from Elann (in charcoal) is on the way. Seems like a perfect fall project. I'd love company! :o)
It looks wonderful on you!
Theresa's Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Madame Butterfly
Uhhh, I'm out of marginly pertinent theatrical references. Very pretty butterfly and those are great jeweltone colors on you!
Gorgeous! What a beautiful sweater! Thanks for the tips...I've been wanting to knit this for a long time and wasn't sure if it was suitable for a beginer.
I don't know which is better looking, the sweater or the wearer! As always, you did an awesome job.
Gorgeous! This may have to be future project. Thanks for your insight and tips.
I love it! Nice work and an excellent run-down on your process as usual (your work always makes my knitting easier).
Now to dig mine out of the neglected pile.
Another amazing sweater! I am so jealous!! The Butterfly looks absolutely stunning on you! Truly an inspiration! I must make this now.
Butterfly is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Wow, what a great job you did. Is the Noro Kureyon soft?
Very very pretty sweater. The colors are definitely you!
You wear that sweater so well. The colors look great on you.
So beautiful! That is such a lovely design and very flattering on you. Great job!
what about a pewter style clasp if the hook and eye don't perform. Someone else took that route -was it Claudia???
Butterfly looks so pretty on you! The colors are very flattering. Beautiful job as usual:-)
That't got to be one of the prettiest [knitted] Butterflies I've seen! So beautiful!!
Looks wonderful!!!
WOW.. that's beautiful!!!