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04/09/2007
Phildar Zip Cardigan
So I had this great idea for a FO post on my Phildar Zip Cardigan. I am not sure if any of you out there watch America's Next Top Model--I'll admit it if you will. If you have watched it you may have noticed that the photo shoots are a tad out there and often verge on the ridiculous. I love it. Last week all the girls were tasked with taking pictures that reflected different sides of their personalities. So while Kara and I were taking pictures of my new cardi we thought, hey why not steal an idea from Tyra--it might be fun. We thought, let's do the different sides of my personality which would then totally show off the sweater. Sounds like a great idea right?
Problem #1: I have no model instinct. Once we came up with the brilliant idea we stood there for minutes trying to pick a side of my personality. Finally Kara said, "Smart." So I stood there for a minute, "how do I model smart?"
Smart=thoughtful finger on chin
Problem #2: I don't commit. Miss Tyra Banks commits. That woman will act the fool and own it--which is I guess why she is Tyra Banks. I, on the other hand, will give a seriously displeased face when asked to stick my tongue out and "be silly."
Turns out I don't do silly, I just do awkward.
Problem #3: Most people won't get how funny I am when they see my lame attempt to "model funny."
Get it, double guns is funny..since it's not funny..that makes it funny. Get it?
Problem #4: What does me showing people I am independent through my "modeled art" have to do with the new sweater I just knit?
Answer: nothing. But by the time I realized this idea was pretty lame I had already taken the pictures.
So on to the sweater. I really quite like it. I think it turned out to be well fitting and it is a great basic color, it is comfortable, wearable, and pretty. There are many great things about this sweater. Like the really long ribbing on the sleeve. I love that. And the ribbed bands around the neck--love that too.
However, this sweater was not without its hard knocks. It is knit all in ribbing and reverse stockinette. I was dumb and didn't study the best increase and decrease methods for reverse stockinette which resulted in some tiny holes and some areas that don't meet my standard of perfection. But this is minimal and not enough to make me unhappy with the sweater. I love all the ribbing on the sweater but as I have shared before, this makes for 12, count them, 12 pieces of sweater to seam together. 12.
Seaming was by far the most difficult challenge I faced on this sweater. I had never seamed reverse stockinette before and I had to redo it several times until I was satisfied with the finished product. Then there was seaming all the different bands and collars and such. It took me a couple weeks until I was satisfied with the seaming job. But I am satisfied now which is all that matters. In other words, extra time spent to do or re-do this right was totally worth it.
The zipper...as many of you know I was dreading the zipper. Turns out, all you have to do is answer your phone right when your friend is about to show you how to sew it and then she just magically does it for you. So I can't take credit for the zipper. But it turned out fabulously well. She made the seam align with the first ribbed valley so it is hidden by the ribbing. Looks awesome.
the stats:
Pattern: Phildar Zipper Cardigan
Source: Phildar Tendances, Spring 2005
Yarn: Phildar Licorne
Needles: US 2 & 3 straights
Mods: Like with most knits, I made it a couple of inches longer by increasing the straight rows in the waist area.
Notes: This really is a great knit. One that I think I will enjoy for a lot of time to come. Just if you knit it, be prepared. 12. seamed. pieces.
00:40 Posted in Phildar Zip Cardigan | Permalink | Comments (46) | Email this
Comments
It looks great (and I love the model poses), but I now know that I will never make it myself -- 12 pieces! Aah!
Posted by: Melissa | 04/09/2007
you know this cardi has been on my to-do list since like forever....i started it, frogged it, bought different yarn for it, but am yet to start it again.
now after seeing your version i am feeling inspired! i just love it erin. it is absolutely gorgeous.
Posted by: jacqueline | 04/09/2007
Fierce!!! (yes I watch ANTM, much to my husband's horror)
The sweater is nothing less than spectacular, amazing!
Posted by: Heather | 04/09/2007
this is looking just great, a perfect basic everyday cardi!
Posted by: julia | 04/09/2007
Well, at least you didn't stand there and do nothing! The sweater looks fabulous on you. Good work.
Posted by: margene | 04/09/2007
Gorgeous! The fit is perfect!
Posted by: Cara | 04/09/2007
I love it! Looks great on you.
Posted by: Dawn | 04/09/2007
Erin, you look great! I love the sweater... most importantly, I TOTALLY is that 12 lbs. are missing from you!!!!
Posted by: Sharon | 04/09/2007
What a great sweater! And what a fun photo shoot to show it off to the world. :)
Posted by: Amy Artisan | 04/09/2007
Maybe I should hold off seaming the Dollar cardi until you can give me some tips! (Not that I'm ready for that yet, still have to finish the sleeves)
Posted by: Cheryl | 04/09/2007
I love it! Your poses are great too :)
Posted by: Lauren | 04/09/2007
Your sweater is amazing! You did a great job on it and I'm sure you'll wear it for a long time. And I watch America's Next Top Model, so I totally appreciate your poses - you are fierce!
Posted by: mari | 04/09/2007
I'll admit to having watched a few episodes of the Tyra disaster show. It's truly trainwreck quality - can't.turn.away.
You totally pulled off a great photo shoot. The sweater looks amazing in every shot.
Posted by: Kaitie Tee | 04/09/2007
Great photo shoot - you had me smiling!
and the cardigan is impeccable. I love the ribbing details on this one. Doubt I will make it with that much seaming, but big props to you! :)
Posted by: Lolly | 04/09/2007
hmm, 12 seamed pieces. don't think i'm gonna be making that one. but it looks fabulous on you, and congrats on making it all the way through!
Posted by: Sara | 04/09/2007
love the model shots!! you should have tried a little zoolander "magnum" hee hee. that sweater looks so great!! lovely job!!
Posted by: margaux | 04/09/2007
The photo shoot looks like it was such fun! And the best part is, you get to keep the clothes!
Posted by: Amy | 04/09/2007
Even before seeing the picture, I knew you'd have the "double guns" for funny. It is what I would have done too, funny is a hard one to translate.
The sweater looks lovely!
Posted by: artmomma | 04/09/2007
You did a wonderful job on the sweater. It has such a nice fit and the color is great. I do not watch that television show and now I do not need to - it could not be any better than this. It was fun to see the sweater in action.
Posted by: Punkin in Oregon | 04/09/2007
That looks great on you! I love that you put a zipper that pulls both ways. And it's a cool design.
Why in the world couldn't it be knit in a normal number of pieces? Is there some compelling reason the ribbing had to be sewn on?
Posted by: Heather Joins The Round | 04/09/2007
it looks beautiful! Nice fit and gorgeous color.
Posted by: isela | 04/09/2007
It's really a very simple equation:
Great clothes + cute model = good pictures
(and all the goofing around can't really detract much.)
Good job on the cardigan.
Posted by: David | 04/09/2007
looks excellent - so professional looking my friend.
Posted by: lisa | 04/09/2007
I will admit to watching my fair share of ANTM. It looks like the photo shoot was fun! I think your cardigan looks fantastic! It fits you well and looks like it will be a very versatile knit. Great job!
Posted by: nova | 04/09/2007
Looks great. Doesn't look hand anything at all, very ready to wear. Awesome! Good job! Better you, then me, because I don't plan on EVER seaming 12 pieces of ANYTHING.
Necia
Posted by: Necia | 04/09/2007
Hilarious! Wasn't your last pose similar to Jael's "anarchist" pose? I might have to steal this idea for my next FO photo shoot.
Great looking sweater - BTW. I never would have gotten around to seaming 12 peices!
Posted by: Chandra | 04/09/2007
Did you say 12 seamed pieces?? Cross that one off the list. Will you share yours?? ;)
Posted by: susan | 04/09/2007
That looks like a fantastic wardrobe staple. I think I'll pass though with 12 seamed pieces! Yikes! Your perseverance paid of though. It looks great on you!
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool | 04/09/2007
my goodness. this sweater is amazing. i love you, in that non-creepy way.
also love the model shots. how do the real models do it? it seems so easy and then i try it, and i look constipated in each photo. anyway, excellent sweater!
Posted by: rachel i. | 04/09/2007
Wow, ANOTHER great sweater. It looks wonderful on you. I especially like the two way zipper. But 12 PIECES!!! Damn that is a lot of seaming.
Great Job
Posted by: Nubiancraftster | 04/09/2007
During my very short habitation of Los Angeles, I went to see the Trya Banks Show. Hillarious.
That sweater is magnificent, and, in my opinion, worth seaming 12 pieces.
And, I totally laughed out loud at the double guns pose. in the library.
Posted by: Kateastrophe | 04/09/2007
Love the photo shoot! And I LOVE that cardi! I think it would be well worth seaming 12 pieces. I sure wish I had this book! This is definitely something I'd love to add to my wardrobe... it's so cute and wearable! It looks fantastic on you (as do all your knits!).
Posted by: Crystal | 04/09/2007
Very nice! It looks like a great fit too! I'm so impressed with all that seaming!
Posted by: laura b | 04/09/2007
And you modeled it like a champ. I love America's next top model. I feel like a loser just admitting it but I LOVE it! I can't watch it on tv either b/c of my schedule so I watch it online. Loser!
You're sweater's awesome by the way. I knew it would be. Awesome.
Posted by: Sarah | 04/09/2007
It is gorgeous on you! Love your modeling pics!
Posted by: tiennie | 04/09/2007
Nice sweater. I think I would have been scared off by all those pieces.
You really should have posed as a matador or like you were making a Secret commercial. Uh.....those were my original ideas...uh...not that I watched last season or anything.....Okay I'll admit it, too ;)
Posted by: Christy/ Not Hip | 04/09/2007
Fun post! If you were being paid $10,000 per hour to "commit" to a pose, I bet you would be able to commit.
The sweater looks fantastic! I'm totally in awe of the 12 pieces to seam. I used to sew fitted blouses that didn't have that many pieces. You got the fit perfect for you. Congratulations!
Posted by: Brenda | 04/10/2007
wow, 12 pieces! You did a fantasic job, and your sweater is amazing. Fine work girl, fine work : )
ps great photo shoot!
Posted by: amanda cathleen | 04/10/2007
You're far too modest -- you should model professionally! I think you should title the last pic "Walking towards the light."
Awesome sweater!
Posted by: freerangeliberal | 04/10/2007
I love your modeling photos -- they are fun and different from the usual shot in the bathroom mirror or sweater-laid-out-on-floor (mine). The sweater looks great and after seaming those 12 pieces, there is nothing wrong with a friend doing the zipper for you!
I love your quilt in the previous post. What a beautiful gift!!
Posted by: Debby | 04/10/2007
It's so cute! I absolutely love the FO and the fit is perfect.
Posted by: Meredith | 04/10/2007
Gorgeous sweater & like everyone else I love your photoshoot. Especially the last picture. Very nice mood!! Great job Erin.
Posted by: vanessa | 04/10/2007
Looks great, and I love your pictures. 12 pieces! ouch, all that seaming!!
Posted by: Knittypants | 04/10/2007
The sweater looks great, love the pictures!
Posted by: christine | 04/11/2007
that is beautiful! great pictures!!!! I love the ribbing details!
Posted by: stacey | 04/11/2007
I love the sweater and the pics are so cute! The color looks great on you too!! And great job with all the seaming, 12 pieces takes guts :)
Posted by: Brooke | 04/15/2007