Pattern: Lotus from Rowan 45 by Marie Wallin
Yarn: Rowan Fine Milk Cotton (Snow and Shrimps)
Size: Small
Project Archives: Lotus Archive
After an afternoon nap's worth of seaming, Lotus is now complete. When I first tried it on after those final stitches, I admit to having had one of those let down moments. Something didn't feel right. I put Lotus down on the bed and figured I'd come back to her later and test her out again before I got disappointed. Sure enough, fresh from a dip in the ocean with John and Z a few hours later, I slipped back into Lotus and decided that I'd been overly critical of both myself and the sweater earlier in the day. So I grabbed my camera and headed back to the beach. If any sweater deserves a beach photo shoot, it's Lotus. To me, this sweater's airy quality, cotton foundation and lacy details speak to breezy afternoons in the sun.
The light on the north side of Kauai in the late afternoon is perfect for a photo shoot. All these pictures were taken by John, who did an admirable job of having one eye on the camera and the other on a happy toddler. The styling, as it were, is intentionally informal and meant to evoke both wind swept and apres swim (and to hide my post-baby untoned belly).
Yarn: Rowan Fine Milk Cotton (Snow and Shrimps)
Size: Small
Project Archives: Lotus Archive
After an afternoon nap's worth of seaming, Lotus is now complete. When I first tried it on after those final stitches, I admit to having had one of those let down moments. Something didn't feel right. I put Lotus down on the bed and figured I'd come back to her later and test her out again before I got disappointed. Sure enough, fresh from a dip in the ocean with John and Z a few hours later, I slipped back into Lotus and decided that I'd been overly critical of both myself and the sweater earlier in the day. So I grabbed my camera and headed back to the beach. If any sweater deserves a beach photo shoot, it's Lotus. To me, this sweater's airy quality, cotton foundation and lacy details speak to breezy afternoons in the sun.
The light on the north side of Kauai in the late afternoon is perfect for a photo shoot. All these pictures were taken by John, who did an admirable job of having one eye on the camera and the other on a happy toddler. The styling, as it were, is intentionally informal and meant to evoke both wind swept and apres swim (and to hide my post-baby untoned belly).
All these pictures might lead you to believe that I have confused Lotus for Narcissus. Perhaps that is so. Certainly the sweater makes me happy, and it was more than a little bit wonderful to get to celebrate it's completion with my family on a stunning beach front. And John did a nice job, I think, of capturing both me and the sweater, I felt it deserved a few extra victory dance steps. I'm not sure what else there is to say about Lotus that I haven't already said. We're I to make it again, I think I would shoot for just a little bit larger diameter. I wouldn't go up a size, but I would probably add a little more width to the fronts. As you can see from the pictures of the back, the sizing there is perfect, but, in addition to the post-baby tummy issues, I also seem to have experienced a post-baby boobal area size increase that made the front coverage not quite as perfect as I would have liked it.
Overall, I'm pleased with the sweater. I have yet to make a Rowan garment that I have design complaints about, and Lotus is no exception. I believe this is my first "3 skein" Rowan sweater, so completing Lotus gives me another merit badge to add to my knitter's sash. I made no modifications other than to knit the crochet lace for the body of Lotus directly on to the garment and in the round. In spite of its small gauge, this sweater didn't really seem like it took all that long for me to knit. I like the texture and the hand of the Fine Milk Cotton, but found it somewhat fussy to knit and crochet with, as the plies in the yarn become easily untwisted and separated. Given it's light color and special care needs, it's unlikely that Lotus will see constant daily wear, but with those fabulous bell sleeves and neutral coloration, I suspect this sweater will see it's fair share of summer for seasons to come.
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It's both beautiful and feminine. I love the pink edging, I love it
Wonderful cardigan and such a beautiful setting for it as well!
That is absolutely beautiful!
It is a remarkable sweater - very beautiful. The frontal coverage seems perfect. Just the thing for cool summer evenings. Or afternoons - or mornings. And lovely pictures as well.
BRAVO!! The sweater looks perfect and you look beautiful and relaxed. I am reknitting my Lotus sleeves having confused inches with centimeters. I also agree that the fronts could be wider, they looked relatively small when compaired to the back which was normal sized. I assumed the lace would cover some of the front but would feel more comfortable with solid material covering the boobage.
It's positively gorgeous!
Both Lotus and you look gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your fun and whimsical photo shoot!
Just stunning!
Oh, I love how it turned out! I have yet to cast on, since I balk at paying retail for yarn and I have yet to find a suitable substitute for the milk cotton. Eventually I will, though, and you will be my inspiration!
You look beautiful in that sweater, and the photos are perfect. Kauai looks stunning. AWESOME ALL AROUND!
You did a marvellous job. The sweater and you are both stunning!
Of course, now I want to make it, but I have neither the issue of Rowan or the yarn (issues easily overcome).
Having made it, can you think of any yarns that would have made good substitutes? Most of the Rowan yarns tend to be out of my budget, at least in sweater quantities.
Gorgeous! And such a lovely backdrop!
Loved this post! Don't feel like Narcissus; the cardigan deserved this many pictures, all of which are very beautiful.
Great job! I would not have the patience for it, for sewing, or crocheting any of it, and admire your fortitude and skill!
It's lovely!!! I really like those bell sleeves and the lacy edgings.
It looks like a very forgiving sweater. Nice details that look good on you.
It's gorgeous, congratulations
Amazing sweater!!! I really love it on you too!!