knitorious.typepad.com > In retrospect

Green1

This sweater is probably 20 years old and my first cardigan. I haven't worn it in years, but one can't lightheartedly toss something like this! It is all wool, and I believe it was knit on US4 needles. I recall that I was drawn by the smocking process. It used to have a crocheted drawstring which I never liked and it has long since disappeared; I wished I'd ignored the whole drawstring thing. I don't recall having much for reference when I knit this sweater and didn't really understand how to pick up stitches. I basically picked up the bar between the first two stitches (and wherever I could along the neck) to knit the band. "In retrospect"... I think it's a fine job for a first cardi!

Green2

Detail of the smocking.

Red1

This is another 15+ year old sweater. It's knit with mercerized cotton and is fairly hefty. It could have been a size larger. My first foray into cables and lace, with a little seed stitch thrown in. Fun to knit!

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Cable and lace detail.

Red3

Victorian-style ruffly collar.

The scarf that turned into a shawl. Old, old, old -- over 25 years old!

Up close and personal.

This is a dress that I just fell in love with and had to knit. I'm pretty sure that the pattern was from a Woman's World magazine sometime in the mid '80s (they used to have a knitting pattern in every issue, don't know if they still do). I learned more from knitting this dress than probably any other project I've ever knit. I didn't have a recipient in mind and, as far as I know, no one has ever worn it except for dolls. It's knit in the cheapest possible yarn, I'm sure, and I'm guessing it would fit a 1-1/2 year old.

It was while knitting the yoke of this dress that I learned (to hate) making bobbles! I don't mind a few, but a whole yoke full of 'em?

Cuff detail.

It was a long time ago, but I still remember how much fun it was to watch the pleats take shape and to make those tuck rows (or whatever you'd call them).