September 30, 2005
Why are these yarn-stealing dogs so excited?
Because they're so proud to unveil their latest creation: What the well-dressed ragdoll is wearing this fall.
- Pattern: Reynolds Lopi Toggle Cardigan (pattern #82271)
- Modifications: No fair isle; two-way zipper instead of toggles; ribbing and body knit on same size needle for a looser ribbing
- Yarn: Lopi in Celery Heather. Four and a half skeins.
- Size: 37" bust, XS. When blocked the sweater bloomed to gain about half an inch in length and width.
- Knitting time: Six episodes of 24, season two on DVD. Bulky yarn isn't my usual choice, but it does have its benefits.
- Seaming time: One episode of Six Feet Under, season four on DVD. Again, bulky yarn has its benefits.
- Zipper installation: Andrea, my good friend and knitting mentor aka fiber goddess, gave me a zipper clinic yesterday, and basted the sucker into place for me, so all I had to do was sew the already positioned and secured zipper down. The zipper lays perfectly, works perfectly... Thanks to Andrea's help, I think I can tackle the next zipper entirely on my own. Andrea rocks.
- Ranking: My favorite sweater right now. Certain to be worn to death this fall and winter.
Added later, by request, a closer look:
Hi Cari! I started taking a knitting class this week and I thought of you and your charming blog full of pictures of your wonderful, beautiful creations. Your latest sweater is stunning, looks great on you and looks really, really warm. I would wear it every day too if it was mine. It is already chilly enough here in New England to do so. Soon I hope to be able to make one of my own. By the way, your tights are fabulous too. As is your hair, as always. And the dogs. And especially OSCAR! I'm missing having a cat but fear the trauma that my dog would inflict if I got one now...
Can you believe...? The holiday season is only a few months away so I'll be seeing you and all of our loved ones soon. Yippee!
You are an EXTRAORDINARY GENIUS no matter what the people at Ragdale say! Now I'll read your archives and try to figure out who the people at Ragdale are...
Hope all is well with you, Billy and the critters.
xo, Jess Brown
Posted by: Jessicalooks lovely! how about a close-up?
Posted by: brenda in torontoSoooo cute, those two! And the sweater is perfect for you--for just about anyone, really. :)
Posted by: Sneaksleeplovely sweater....but I must admit the tights grabbed my attention first...love 'em.
Posted by: MarieThose...stockings!
And yes, I agree, we need a closeup, though I have a feeling I'll get to see it at Rhinebeck!
Posted by: AmberOooh, how cute (the sweater too) :-)
Posted by: Stephanielove it. smooches to the pups. they have good reason to be proud.
Posted by: carolynlooks fab, and seaming, oh, no! xoxo
Posted by: kaarinB.U.tiful!!! I'm enamoured with the sleeves of your lovely sweater! Great job!
Posted by: Christiegorgeous. it's a very nice green.
Posted by: karenLove it! It's a perfect sweater for fall/winter. Gotta love those stockings too! =)
Posted by: AngelaColor, style, zipper, outfit styling, canine models.
All perfect. Make sure to take a self-portrait at Ragdale wearing that.
Posted by: claudiaYou are the cutest "ragdoll" ever! I love the two-way zipper.
Posted by: GinaIt looks great. I can see why the pooches were so excited! (Chappy notes that it looks to HIM like you three should take the sweater out for a test-walk. But that's a dog for you--they've got walks on the brain.)
Posted by: Debit's absolutely gorgeous, beautiful color and it looks great on you!
Posted by: juliaOops. First I thought you were showing off handknitted tights. Heh. Love that sweater- great color.
Posted by: IrisSweater. Itsa gorgeous.... sweater. Wow.
Posted by: Cassielooks fantastic and love those tights!
Posted by: froggyOh la la... t'es beeeeeelle ;-)
We will miss you tons at Vermont this weekend. I will try to find yarn the colour of your hair...
Posted by: Lee AnnSuch a classic! You did a great job and the zipper definitely works. You're gonna wear that to death. Yaay!
Posted by: VickiCari - it's PERFECT. You look gorgeous! And the schmoos are adorable.
Posted by: CarrieI love it! That color is fabulous and I love that you used a two-way zipper so you can just fasten it at the bust. So cute and cozy!
Posted by: KarmaThe sweater, the stockings, the hair, the woof-woofs.... awesome. Congratulations on zipper success too! :)
Posted by: LauraBeautiful!! Perfect for curling up on the prairie.
Posted by: jackieIt's perfect on you. You're adorable. I MISS you. And I want to steal your sweater.
Posted by: RachaelMommy! Mommy! You're on the table, can't we be on the table?! Is it silly time? Should I do a spin and a hop?
That sweater looksy comfy (and in a good way, not the passive-aggressive 'slouchy' way) and I dig that crazy twoway zipperthingy.
Posted by: spaazliciousI love the color and the two-way zipper must make it so versatile...What a great sweater!
Posted by: christinaLove the whole ensemble of dogs, outfit, sweater and hair;-)
The sweater changes will make it one you wear and wear. Nice work!
You look so fabulous. Margene is right, the whole ensemble makes me so happy.
Posted by: melanieLove it! And love the photos -- I'm surprised Sadie and Diego weren't just blurs. You're the cutest.
Posted by: alisonWait, "THEIR latest creation?" I knew you had those dogs doing all the work. So tell them the sweater looks fantastic, the color is perfect, and I'm jealous. If they want to make me one too...
Posted by: EmFour and a half skeins?? Hooray for a sweater even a broke student can afford! Looks great.
Posted by: sarah g.love the sweater and the whole outfit :-) (i just bought a sweater very much like this from lands end- although yours is much cooler. but those of us without knitting skills must resort to purchasing of premade items.)
btw- the screen looks great in the dining room. olivia can't wait to come by and hang out with the dogs. (so far she doesn't seem to have her mom's allergies!)
Gorgeous. Looks like a curling up at a retreat and writing sweater to me.
Posted by: StephGreat looking sweater! It looks very comfy cozy. Perfect ensemble.
Posted by: eyeleenA stunner. The zipper, the color, the cuffs - perfection.
And I SO want those tights.
Posted by: mindyWhat a great fall sweater, and it even matches your wall paint! Love the stockings & clogs!
Posted by: DiannaVery nice sweater! Lopi has some really great colors!
Posted by: KarenLove it, love it, LURRRRRVE it! I want one JUST LIKE IT. You are the best ragdoll ever.
Posted by: NormaCari - it's GORGEOUS... and you are one fast knitter, girl - bulky or no bulky, you're awesome! Thanks for taking the time to share it all with the rest of us!!
XOXOX - Liz in Chicago
Posted by: LizLove it! Perfect sweater and great outfit.
Posted by: KathyHi,
I'm writing for three reasons:
1. Your new sweater is very nice. I also like your shoes and tights.
2. I was starting to worry no one else was making the VK Turkish Cape. Although I'm not there yet I'm really worried about the short rows and having to pick up all those stitches around the edge. Do you have any advice?
3. If I hadn't looked at your blog today I totally would have forgotten the NYFA deadline is tomorrow.
Thanks and have a productive time at your residency.
Mildred,
Brooklyn, NYC
nice!!!
Posted by: SQI just love the whole ensemble. You look great.
Posted by: JeanineI am not sure what is cuter ~ The sweater, the stockings or you? When I first looked at the post I thought OMGOSH she made stockings and she is the only person on Earth that could pull that off!! Then I realized the sweater, the sweater!!!
AWESOME JOB!!!!!!!!!!!
i want to live in that sweater. you're just too adorable.
Posted by: reginaOooh, the cardigan is beyoootiful!!! I love it!
And the doggies! Sooo cute! Look at the tail action, its awesome!! Oh doggies!! I love those socks and those red red shoes, too.
Love the sweater (and I adore the stockings). A marvelous look! Brava!
Posted by: JenniI love the tights and clogs!!! Oh yeah and that color... its mine :)
Posted by: stinkerbell