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Glam Knit Reality: Trapeze Jacket « »
This is a sweater that I initially designed for myself while I was in the last few months of my pregnancy with Mazie. I liked it so much that I decided to put it in the book. Glam Knits: 25 Designs For Luxe Yarns
Here it is on the model:
This is yet another one that was knit to fit my promised plus-sized model but ended up pinned on a size 8. For reference, I’m 6’0″ about a 12 – 14, with a bustline currently about 40 – 42 depending.
The yoke of this sweater is knit like a typical TDR (top down raglan) but the trims are knit separately and attached. I did that for two reasons. The first is that the wavy edge of lace is the cast-on edge, unless you want to block the heck out of it every time you wash it. So, I started the lace at the hems and knit upward toward the body until I used every scrap of that gorgeous yarn. I also added extra stitches to the body trim, to give it a trapeze effect and to make sure there were enough stitches for the lace repeats.
The second reason for knitting separately was that even though the yarn is from the same dye lot, it’s pretty different in color. I used the better-matched skeins to knit this coat, then used the leftovers for what I planned to be a personal project. (Note: I never posted the book photos of the coat because…why would you want a coat that left your boobs exposed? I mean, really? More on that later…)
So, I tried to distribute the skeins so that the color difference was less noticable. When I wear it, nobody comments on the differing dye lots, but you can see that the yoke and upper body of the sweater are distinctly tan, the sleeves are blue and the hemline trim is green.
BUT…I love this sweater. Dyelots Schmyelots … it’s a great fit, it goes with jeans and dresses, and is one that I never packed away in my “I’m mad at this book” phase. I get compliments on this one all the time!
This entry was posted on Friday, December 4th, 2009 at 6:00 am and is filed under Book Talk, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
10 Responses to “Glam Knit Reality: Trapeze Jacket”
I had wondered about that coat. Wow. Now I know!
Thanks so much for all these posts. I never would have bought the book without seeing this and now it is on my list to purchase if I don’t get it for the holidays as a gift. Thanks for doing this! This type of thing is also what is good about Ravelry so you can see other people and how they have adapted patterns and how they look on different bodies. Looking forward to seeing the next book!
Hi Stefanie! I read your blog and wanted to let you know that (fwiw) I think you made the right decision to present/showcase your designs differently. All of the pictures you’ve posted in the last few days look MUCH better than in the book. You’re absolutely right that the publisher did not photograph these sweaters well. But now that I see these images on your blog, I think the yarns look prettier (especially this one) and the sweaters are more flattering than presented in the book. I’m sorry that you were so dissatisfied with this book. I am now a freelance editor and previously worked for a publisher for about 10 years, so I know that a variety of factors can result in a poorly presented book. But the photography is key when trying to sell a knitting book in particular. I am sorry you had such a bad result on the Glam Knits book. But I am now eager to buy it thanks to your posts. Keep up all your beautiful work. I really enjoy your blog and designs. And I really want to take one of your online classes in the new year (when I can afford it).
I finally registered so I could leave a comment. I always like seeing what you are making and wearing, because I thought you looked about my size. Today you confirmed it. You are slightly taller and thinner than I am – and your hair is redder than mine.
So here is my big question: Where do you buy jeans when you are not pregnant?
You look great in the sweater! All of them! It’s always nice to see a real body in designs. Dark, dramatically posed photos on super skinny models are not at all related to real life (not mine anyway) and often make me wonder what they are trying to hide. Your sweaters deserve to be seen as they are meant to be worn.
Thank you for the real life pics of your book. I looked at it when it was new and it seemed inaccessible to me since I am not a size zero… I am going to purchase your book now!
At the risk of sounding like fangirl – I love your designs. Paris Loop was first non-scarf item I even knitted and I’ve been following you since those early days. I think you should model all of your own work from now on To agree with everyone else, seeing these knit items on a knitter, who knows how to display knitwear, makes all the difference in the world.
Hi–
I am really enjoying seeing you in these sweaters.
I ordered two copies of the book, one for me and one to give for XMas–I hadn’t wanted to buy it based on the photos in the book, but now I see you in them, and read what you have to say about them, I feel much differently. Thanks.
Hi
I am really enjoying seeing these sweaters on you–Thanks! I also like reading about how you approached them.
I ordered two copies of the book, one for me and one to give as a gift–I am much more interested in the book now that I have read your posts.
Are you REALLY 6 feet tall? Wow. Now I hate/love you even more! All I ever wanted was 5’6″ (didn’t make it)!! Thanks for posting all the information on the garments and how they were intentionally knit – I know that lots of times garments are tweaked in photographs, so it’s great to have the designer’s input on what’s been done and how it’s likely to fit! Thanks!