Friday, May 25, 2007

Time To Exercise Your Good Taste

I need your help. (Does that excite you a bit, to feel so needed?) You see, I've decided that it's time to take off the knitting training wheels. The basketweave scarfe is almost done. The felted satchel, which until now has remained in the shadows, is past the half way point. It's time to start planning for the future. Kicking things up a notch.

I'm thinking 'sweater'.

I found a couple of free easy(ish) looking patterns online that I quite like. Both modelled by the same smoking hot model, which may or may not be part of the appeal. It certainly gives both designs an aspirational quality.

Choice 1: There is enough detail and texture here to make it interesting, yet the construction is pretty simple. No set in sleeves, just a simple dropped shoulder. The entire thing is knit in several variations of rib, which is easy peasy. On the downside, turtleneck. However, the good thing about making it yourself is that if it's hateful, well you can just rip that bit out and do something different! I'd probably knit this in a slightly chunky wool called Rustic from Bendigo Woolen Mills, in a flecked Denim colour.



Choice 2: He's still hot, even with the dumb visor thing. So, much simpler and almost a bit boring. The raglan sleeves are a bit more of a technical challenge (remember, beginner here), but the body of the sweater is plain. I do like the detail of the fat rib (dirty?) at the cuffs and unseen hem. I'd knit the option of a simple rolled kneckband on this one though, as I think a kneckband in that same rib would push it over into hateful. I'm not sure if I'd do this in a solid colour, not orange, or maybe in the same flecked Denim yarn as above.



So. Do we love? Do we hate? Does one get deux points and the other nil points? Do we think Mr model boy should be my next husband? (Answer = yes.) Hit me up in the comments, because inquiring minds need to know.

16 comments:

Ur-spo said...

you are correct as always #2!

Cecilia said...

Definitely #2 and I agree with the simpler rolled collar. And I think it'd look really nice in something flecked.
And please please please make the matching visor!! :)

The Other Andrew said...

Ur-spo, thanks!

Cecilia, another vote for #2 huh? Yes I think you're right, something more interesting like the denim yarn would maybe be the go for this. Oh, and just say "No" to weird ass visors!

Thombeau said...

Hi Andrew! I like you, and therefore invite---or implore---you to visit my music page, it's at http://www.myspace.com/arcantamusic (or you can find the link on my profile). For some reason I think you might find it of interest. Then again, you might not. But there's only one way to find out!

You may delete this after reading it, I wasn't sure how else to reach you. And thanks again for visiting Fabulon. You'll be getting frequent flyer miles soon!

Namaste...

The Other Andrew said...

Thombeau, I tried your myspace page but it was blank. I mean, a nice background pic and a cute cursor but that's it. (wtf?)

Maybe it's that I'm TOO OLD for myspace? Or should I say, yourspace? Is that what this is all about? A shunning.

nash said...

Before I enlarged the pics I would've voted for #1, but having done so my vote now goes to #2 and yes, I can see why you'd be influenced by the model

Michael Guy said...

Number TWO: But I would really dig the sweater in a 'pumpkin spice' or 'mulled rum-raisin.'

Which is not really a color I know but I'm gay like that.

And the rolled collar is a must. You do realize I'm sitting here thinking 'sweaters' in a heat-wave with the A/C on, pet? No panties.

yani said...

Yeah, I'm voting for number 2... maybe in a nice rich amethyst... but then that's me and my obsession with purple... but I think the design is much "cleaner", and I agree with you on the sleeve detailing.

Anonymous said...

Which ever you choose, you can knit the other for me. You know, for practice. And I'm small, so I won't take up much wool.

Christopher said...

I'm going against the grain here (such a rebel, I know) and vote for #1...I just love it!

The Other Andrew said...

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I may end up trying both because they're so different and I do like them both. I actually don't wear sweaters much and both patterns will need some ajusting to fit me because I'm so short, so that may affect which one I do first. I'm leaning towards either a denim blue colour, or something between brugundy read and a purple. I need to scour my yan shade cards and see what I can come up with.

Craft is FUN y'all!

The Other Andrew said...

Eh, "brugundy read"? WTF? Translation = Burgundy Red.

Thombeau said...

Honey, I am way older than you and my Myspace page works fine, so age is a non-issue. Please try again! There is no shunning. None.

And yes, I go for number 2 as well.

Cheers!

worldpeace and a speedboat said...

yep number two - and with the rolled neck. I also think that a raglan sleeve makes the shoulders look broader and more manly whereas a bit of a dropped shoulder can make one look a bit saggy. go the raglan!

also love the spicy warm colours. if you go blue make sure it's not too grey, huh? grey is so bleaaaahhh especially in a sweater - screams school uniform all over.

fliss said...

Hey there
Both are lovely - if you go for number 2 one tip i have is knitting both sleeves at the same time on the same pair of circ needles. So that when you screw up with the inc/dec on the blasted raglans - they will at least be identical (have learnt this one the hard way....). Also depends on how much you like the sewing up - dropped shoulders are easy, but they can be uncomfortably bulky to waer in the underarmy regions - raglans fit way more snugly - but are a b*tch to sew up neatly (but you're probly better at that than me - i have no patience by the end...)

The Other Andrew said...

So much love for Option 2! Thanks for the votes and sugegstions everyone, and the technical suggestions Fliss!