Nov 11, 2008

Helena With Leaves

I finished another baby gift last week. Just 2 more to go.

DSC_0261I love this sweater from start to finish. The pattern is Helena by Alison Green Will and I loved it as soon as I saw it. It hasn't disappointed me at all. It is well written and super easy. All good things.

You may recall that the last time I discussed this project I was pondering the finishing details. It was nice but as it neared completion I felt like it was missing something to move it from nice to outstanding. My first thought was a contrast edging so I took the sweater to my LYS in search of a cream or shell pink yarn to set it off. I got solidly shot down. The woman at Uniquities said that a contrast would make the sweater more sporty and cause it to loose something. Looking at it with the cream yarn next to it I could see it was true. I decided to stick with the burgundy but I still felt like there was something missing.

The more I looked at the sweater, the clearer it became that the problem was the closures. Those little ties weren't doing a thing for me but my aversion to installing buttons in things is well documented. What to do? I vaguely recalled seeing some knit closures so I ordered up Nicky Epstein's Knitting Beyond the Edge and started the finishing work while I waited for it to arrive.

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DSC_0219I've got to say that I enjoyed the finish work on this sweater. Picking up the stitches for the garter edge was fine and sewing down the picot hem was really satisfying. Isn't that a bizarre admission from someone who really hates to sew? I think that the difference is doing it correctly. Now that I've studied the finishing books a little and I work things in the proper way, it's kind of fun. The frustration is gone and all that remains is neat edges.

After a short hiatus the new book arrived and in no time at all the right closure was identified. The whole family got in on the act and agreed that the Leaf Frog closure was the right one for the job. It was so much easier than I expected and now that it's finished I love it. With the fancier closure this sweater looks just a bit more polished and elegant. Let's hope it fits.

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9 comments:

margene said...

It is a darling little sweater made all the more beautiful by your addition! Good work.

Carole Knits said...

That closure is perfect and the sweater is just fabulous.

Elspeth said...

That looks so gorgeous! Now it doesn't look handmade, though, it's so professional looking! ;)

Cursing Mama said...

I love the closure! Totally the right choice.

Anonymous said...

The closure is beautiful. So glad you found something that works

Sarah-potterknitter said...

Definitely the right choice, very polished

Anonymous said...

What a perfect addition to the lovely sweater. This might be just the thing for a wee one gift I need to knit.

Anonymous said...

WOW, that closure is perfect! What a beautiful little sweater.

Anonymous said...

Wow! It was pretty before, but the detailing work (and particularly the closure) just make it! Looks like the sort of thing that non-knitterly (and wealthy) people would spend a lot of money for in a fancy baby shop!