Hot. Damn.
* "Diva" in colour combination #4 (turquoise and blueberry), by Hanne Falkenberg, purchased from Cucumberpatch, in the UK.
* 2 ply Shetland wool, knit on 3.25mm needles
* Changes - 0.
Pain in the Ass Factor - 8 out of 10.
FO Satisfaction Factor - 10 out of 10.
This is an amazing design. She is by no means a difficult knit - however what makes the Pain in the Ass Factor so high is that the sweater body, including the shawl collar, is knit in one piece. Therefore, you knit the back section, increasing to 5 bazillion stitches, and once you're thoroughly demoralized, the next step has you continue for the fronts. Knit on the bias. Increasing/decreasing/changing colours. Then the other front. Then the bodice. Then you hurl as you realize that you have the upper body to do, and the shawl. With short rows. And decreases. On both sides. Then the cuffs. And then the arms. Oh...the arms. I was literally counting down the stitches once I hit Arm #2.
But, I kept going back - the design is so brilliant, you can not help but be absolutely bowled over by the genius of it, and be curious as to the "how to" of the next step, no matter the eventual pain. Every word of instruction has a purpose, and every step that seems unnecessary turns out to make perfect sense in the end. There were a couple of "huh?" sections, but just trust Hanne - she knows EXACTLY what she is doing.
And the finished product - divine! I am beyond thrilled. She has not yet been blocked, but I have tried her on, and she fits PERFECTLY. I will include a model pose in an upcoming post. I'll probably take her into work early next week to photograph, as it will be over 30C and GROSS over the weekend. Not 2-ply Shetland weather...
Would I recommend the design? Yes. Just know that she needs a lot of attention, and patience. But the finished product is worth it! Would I knit another one? I'd consider it if Zinedine Zidane (yum) agreed to be my "poolboy". And I don't have a pool. (Uh, have you seen the man?!)
On the other hand, she has heard every potty-mouthed word you can think of (in french and english), so she can take it, if you feel the need to dish it out.
So - what do you think?!!
7 comments:
Holy Cow, I can't believe how absolutely and utterly gorgeous this is! Seriously, this must be the greatest knitting piece I've seen in a long time, and I'm not exaggerating here! And you say it's not a difficult knit? Arghhh... reading through your thoughts and comments, I tend to think it's amazingly difficult! Then again, after all the mindless sock knitting I've been doing lately, this would be such a great challenge! But I could by no means make it as gorgeous as yours turned out! Congrats!!!
And ahhhh, Zizou - the more they bash him, the more I love him. He's a wonderful man - actually, he's a MAN, not one of those wimpy susies almost crying on the field when you just look at them. I'm pretty sad though that he didn't break the Italian's nose - I mean, come on, if he - the Italian - talks that kind of shit, he'd have to live with the consequences...
She's beeootiful! Really gorgeous. When you bring her to work, tell me so I can come and meet her please.
I can't wait to see this on you -- fabulous job -- you have the patience of a saint to do this! (I've never tried a Hanne design, and I'm not likely to -- well, you never know LOL!)
Wow! and again, Wow!
I don't think I'm ready to torture myself with this one yet, but I'm so impressed with the final result.
Wow! (one more time)
OMG, I think she looks awesome! And I don't care how much I've been warned off, I want one.
Zinedine Zidane. How sorry will you feel for me when I tell you I have absolutely no idea who this is?
Hee hee - that review leaves me very conflicted, for some strange reason... :) Gorgeous, tho!
Gorgeous, Brigitte!
I'll need to brush up on my short rows before I consider buying that one or Mermaid or Ballerina ...
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