really?

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

I sort of hesitate to show you what is on my needles. Back in June, I tried on a sweater, fell in love, and ordered yarn to make it. Then I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally my VOGUEKnitting arrived and I could cast on for my new project. But wait. When I flipped to the pattern, I wondered if I still liked it. You see, I don't think that I would have ever made this sweater from this photo.

You can't really see the details that I loved. The 5" rib along the back waist. The half circle on the one side of the front. The deep ribbed on the cuffs. And why does she look so mean?
And the color. That is the other thing I sort of hesitate to show you. It is the exact same color as the one pictured. A little out of my color realm. But, I'm going with it. And trusting my initial thoughts. Plus, the yarn is lovely to work with, and on size 8 needles, I am hoping it won't take too long. Because, I already have other projects on the brain.

School starts in one week. (The thought of packing lunches again just makes me cringe.) Going to soak up every last bit of summer. Let the kids stay up late. Listen to the cicada's. Eat a lot of popsicles. Go barefoot in the grass. Swim until dark. And just be.

Enjoy yours.
Oh! And no word on a dog, yet. The jury is still out on that one.

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67 comments

  1. wow! you continue to inspire us to new heights!
    I love the anthro wrap! that will look awesome on you! soak up the love that the last days of summer bring you!

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  2. I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress on this knit project.

    Our kids don't go back until Sept.8 this year. That's the latest ever.

    Enjoy every last bit of your summer!

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  3. Anonymous8/18/2009

    Now see, I have been thinking from the first time I saw your photo that you needed to be wearing some salmon/burnt orangey type colors. This will look great with your eyes and hair. What a funky knit~can't wait to see it finished!!!!

    Ugh, school, the dreaded word... ENJOY while you can!!! ~Jan

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  4. Anonymous8/18/2009

    I think it looks pretty cute from that photo, even though she does look mean. And it will totally be cute on you.

    I love your list of things to enjoy before school. Even though I don't have kids I always get a little excited reading about all of your back to school times. :)

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  5. Can't wait to see what this looks like. I wasn't at all impressed with the photo in the magazine. Vogue does have the tendency to go for the glam shot over showing the knitted item they're selling. The other projects are cute too.

    Enjoy the last days of summer!

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  6. I do find the photo very disturbing...the facial expression combined with that burnt orange/red gives off a disturbing vibe. However, I adore the color and the overall look of the sweater. Just promise you won't be wearing it with leather gloves, a dress, a necklace, and tights, all of the same color - okay? :-)

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  7. The new project is just wonderful. I love the color--love, love, love. Can't wait to see the finished project....especially since that means you can start on the Anthro-inspired wrap. (My heart skipped a beat when I saw it!!) Enjoy your last days of summer. It's raining here in Kansas...high 79...I am dreaming of autumn!!

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  8. that color is really nice - i bet it'll look good on you. plus, it'll look great with brown. ;)

    school starts here tomorrow. the TV is on and if the weather cooperates, there is a pool trip this afternoon. i can't believe it's almost over!

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  9. i love the asymmetry of this sweater! it will look great on you! and just the other night i had a bad dream about packing school lunches that the kids said they wouldn't eat. the worst part is that my bad dream isn't that far away from my reality. love how you're enjoying the last bit of summer!

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  10. trust your instinct!

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  11. This will look great on you! All your other projects are cute too! School in one week??!! We start three weeks from today. As much as I grumble in May and June...I wouldn't want to go back to school in August. Enjoy your last week with the kiddos.

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  12. Anonymous8/18/2009

    I'm sure the Vogue sweater will be great. I recently blogged about projects I have "on the brain" and I mentioned a recent project of yours:
    http://morewithles.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/sock-status-update/ (last paragraph).
    Also, if you want a recommendation for a completely wonderful, perfectly sized, extremely family-friendly dog breed, let me know! :)

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  13. Maybe you're put off by the sweater because the model in the photo looks like a possessed person doing the disco?? I think you should trust your first instincts. If you tried it on and liked it, I'm sure it will look great!

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  14. trust your instincts and don't be afraid! i love the color. you will wear it well, in compliment to your beautiful personality and sunshine spirit.

    and, yes, enjoy, enjoy these last sweet summer days. don't forget a cartwheel or two as you walk barefoot in the grass. celebrate youth!

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  15. That model scares the bejezzus out of me too! Maybe she'd look friendlier if she ate something?!?

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  16. I love the colour of your wool and really look forward to seeing your finished project. Hope you enjoy the last few days of summer vacation!

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  17. okay, took a look at the new sweater on the (cool) VK360 you linked. It is a lovely sweater coat (know how much you love those) that looks very elegant and chic-simple. I love it! But wouldn't have glanced twice at it from the mag - you are right. The model did it no justice and those amazing details were lost in the one photo. I think you will LOVE this! Can't wait to see it.

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  18. Enjoy the tail end of summer! Sounds like you have great plans.

    Eh, lunch packing... doesn't it seem neverending? I've started putting more unconventional things in there -- pasta salads, slices of parmesan tomato tart, cold leftover zucchini goat cheese pizza. Then again, I'm packing lunches for my husband and myself, not kids!

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  19. fashion photography is not always a good show of the garment. i'm sure your instincts were right, and your finished knit in your photographs will kick vogue's butt.
    also, i love that farmers market sweater!

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  20. When I got this issue there were so many sweaters I wanted to knit out of it! I started with the gold cropped jacket, but this was on my short list!

    I love Vogue, but many times there are just ridiculous projects that I would never attempt, but this issue was great! So many pretty sweaters.

    Good luck!

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  21. Ignore the mean Vogue model. You are going to rock that sweater! I am also smitten with Lucky Knitter's shawl. I just need MORE TIME!

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  22. Oh, I know EXACTLY why the Vogue lady looks all cranky: her kids made her get a dog and it poops a lot and who has to clean it up? Well, exactly. And then it needs to eat, and walk and rip through screen doors and chew stuff up and just generally eat into her knitting time. (Also, it's possible she is being forced to be on a beach. In her merino wool sweater.)

    Lucky Knitter's wrap is soooo on my list, too. I'm obsessing about it. And half the things in the Interweave. And half the things in Twist Collective. And I guess now that orange long thing. But I'm half a sleeve away from done on my rickrack rib... so I am determined to finish it first.

    Oh, I'll shut up in a second, but can I tell you one more thing? I made my kids sandwiches the other day, and said - in my usual bitter fashion: "Enjoy the last lunch I make you this summer!"

    And my daughter? Totally deadpan, goes, "Mm-hm. And the first."

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  23. It's very hip and mod and we'll look lovely on you. Can't wait to see it finished!!

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  24. leslie,
    i am the same way about patterns, and school lunches! i am not looking forward to it at all. i know this sweater will look great on you!

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  25. I've eyeballed the Interweave caridgan. I love the look (just not the color in the photo). Can't wait to see yours! The new sweater looks great. Happy knitting.

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  26. I'm sure that sweater will be great--and probably the most worn of the (winter)--trust your instinct! I'm getting a bit crazy about knitting lately and sweaters, socks, mittens, and scarves are on my mind.

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  27. Anonymous8/18/2009

    I love your new project! can' t wait to see it finished!
    I love the red too ;-)

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  28. that color is so yummy and it will be perfect for the cool days of fall. Seems like whatever you pick I end up loving....so I'm sure this will be another one! I love the farmers market cardigan too! So great! Enjoy each drop of summer.

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  29. I think your new project looks great! The color is beautiful!

    Thanks for the wrap link :)

    And enjoy what's left of this wonderful summer.

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  30. Amazing how the styling of a sweater in a magazine either draws us to it or turns us off. Many times, I've ignored sweater patterns that don't look appealing in the magazine, only to realise it could be so beautiful when someone knitted it and posts photos of their FOs. The sweater looks so cool (and totally different) on the VK360° - it has some interesting construction details going on at the side of the sweater. Don't worry, I think it's gonna be great, you have a high track record of picking winners :)
    Thanks for the link to the anthro wrap!

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  31. holy crap--those other projects--especially the farmer's market cardigan--look awesome!! can't wait to see how the latest project turns out!

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  32. Enjoy those last days of summer! Keep us posted on the knitting project AND the dog!

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  33. I know you can rock that long red cardi. I think that colour will be beautiful with your golden hair. And so lovely for fall/winter. But I totally agree that the model is NOT rocking it in the mag.

    It sounds like you're making the most of the last moments of summer freedom. Enjoy!

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  34. oh I think it's going to be lovely. Funny to see knitting pattern pictures going totally "runway". :)

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  35. the color looks amazing and good for you going out of your comfort zone on that :) i heard a great quote the other day from the costume designer on mad men. she was giving a tour of the mad men wardrobe closet and commenting on how men and women of that period really enjoyed getting dressed...they weren't afraid of color, texture, prints, etc. maybe they weren't so mad after all! good luck on your piece. i'm sure it will be gorgeous. ~ kate

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  36. I always wonder this about knits from pattern magazines, specifically Vogue. I think they do a lot of pinning on their models, and things just look completely different. There have been so many patterns that I have seen on Rav and go back to the magazine and was just amazed at how much better it looks in person... I am thankful for those brave knitters who push through and make the garment even when the photos are sub-par.

    Love the color you chose. Looking forward to more!

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  37. I think it will be great!

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  38. i simply dread packing lunches again, too. love the red!!! that's gonna be one cute sweater.

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  39. Isn't it amazing how certain pictures can totally change the way you think about a pattern? Sewing is the same way, you really have to look outside the box to see if you will actually like something!

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  40. I am new to knitting and my friend Deb, from Posted from Home told me about your blog.
    I am looking forward to meeting knitters. I also spin and have been knitting my homespun alpaca yarn.
    I find knitting to be relaxing and so much fun.
    Looking forward to knitting along with you.
    Sherry

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  41. Anonymous8/19/2009

    You wouldn't possibly look that mean in the same sweater!

    ah, school, lunches......it's that time again!

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  42. I really look forward to see it when it is finished. I agree with you, the picture in VK may not be the best one, but the color is gorgeous and as you describe it is looks very interesting!!!

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  43. I love the bright and intense color, it'll be a great fall sweater!

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  44. Well, she does look sort of mean but I still love it and the funny thing? I have been itching to knit in that shade of red too! I keep seeing it around lately and am thinking I have to knit something in it soon. I love all the projects keeping your brain ticking, autumn is just so exciting for knitters!

    Enjoy the rest of the holidays we are eeking ours out too, I hate the thought of them ending soon.

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  45. Anonymous8/20/2009

    My all wishes are with you for your progress in knitting project.

    RITA

    Cash Online Get Easy cash at your door step

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  46. LOVE the color -- and I bet it will come out great! Can't wait to see the details you mentioned; I'm a sucker for "deep" ribbin!

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  47. Hi,

    I have been following your blog for some time and am a "beginning" knitter. (Lots of hats, mittens, one pair socks, but no sweaters yet...) I am working on starting your Libby sweater for my Maria. She is almost 9. What size would you say Libby was wearing when you knit "Libby"? My Maria is wearing a size 12 - she is very tall. Also, because I am newish... what will happen if I use size 8 needles and not 9's... a little bigger, right? I'm thinking this might be fine...

    Thanks for your help, inspiration, and the lovely libby pattern!

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  48. I think it's a wonderful color! Like Cambell's Tomato Soup! Homey and wonderful for fall.

    Also, I think she looks both mean and as if she's just been bonked on the head. Poor girl! I bet there were much more flattering photos that they just didn't use.

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  49. You are a made genius therefore I'm sure you will finish it in no time flat:)

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  50. I look forward to seeing your progress - I really quite like the red, though it would be out of my comfort zone too.

    and oh how I love that farmer's market cardi! That was definitely the fall Interweave pattern that jumped out at me the most.

    Enjoy these last days of summer and just think of all the wonderful fall knitting days ahead.

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  51. That coat looks great in the vogue360 views, no wonder you feel in love when you tried it on. I had looked through the new Vogue and didn't feel I liked anything, so am glad someone mentioned the 360 feature. I agree sometimes I dismiss things then see them on Ravelry or someone's blog and then can see the potential. Fashion models can look pretty but isn't so helpful in real life.

    Homeschool, solution to back to schoolitis...although I still want to buy school supplies in Target.

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  52. Lovely choice. I'm sure it will look fabulous! I've tagged your blog from mine with an award if you are interested x

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  53. hehe! i hate packing lunch too- and i only have to pack for me! so i feel that pain! the sweater is going to be amazing and that color will be great!

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  54. Oh Leslie! I absolutely LOVE that vest that you are considering making. I do hope to see your version, it is adorable.

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  55. The new project is going to be great on you! I want to knit the Farmer's Market Cardigan too. :)

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  56. I think that color will look great on you.....my neighbor just got a malte-poo. So cute!

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  57. i love that coat! you're going to rock it, it's such a great color. i cannot wait to see you finish it :-)

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  58. Just delurking to say that I love reading your blog!

    The color and detailing you mention all sound fantastic. Can't wait to see it on you.

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  59. love the pattern and love the yarn!

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  60. Ohhh, I really like that red jacket! Can't wait to see it finished!!!

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  61. I hear you. I have the Fall VK trunk show here now and it is AMAZING how much you can fall in love with a sweater in person that you wouldn't have looked twice at in the mag. (On a side note: check out my latest post on how those sweaters - some you tried on - almost got lost!)

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