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05/06/2007
Blithe finished
Yes, Blithe really is finished...
I tried to think of a really clever way to write this post but was at a loss. I asked Kara for inspiration and she told me to "let the sweater speak for itself." Who am I to argue with that?
Hello my pretty knit.
The ribbed sleeve is one of my favorite design features.
The back of the sweater. Obviously.
I realized today how rare it is that I actually knit a weather appropriate garment in time to enjoy it for the whole season. And here it is, warm weather around the corner and I have the perfect cap sleeved cotton shirt ready to wear. Yea me!
The stats:
Pattern: Blithe
Source: Kim Hargreaves, Shades of Pale Collection
Yarn: Rowan Cotton 4-ply, Steel Blue
Needles: US 1 & 2 straights
Mods: I extended the length of the body by adding about 2 inches to the straight rows after decreasing for the waist.
Notes: As far as the fit of the sweater goes, hands down this is the best fitting sweater I have knit. Kim's design is really well written and easy to follow. I will not hesitate to buy a kit from her again. The yarn is both nice to knit with and makes a great fabric. And the design of the sweater is both modern and classic. Anyone who is contemplating this knit, I give it an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Did I mention yet that I love it? Quite a lot actually. A little secret about me is that I am rarely pleased with a knit when I am finished with it. I am a perfectionist and very hard on myself which means I am never quite satisfied with the end product. This shirt, however, was a different story as soon as I put it on. I am simply happy with it. That in an of itself is really something.
23:25 Posted in Blithe | Permalink | Comments (59) | Email this
Comments
Lovely! All the little details are so pretty, and the color is great on you.
Posted by: Knittypants | 05/07/2007
She really does speak for herself! Blithe is gorgeous! Ummm...Blithe is a she, right? :0)
I was looking at the knit and thinking, 'wow, what ply yarn is that?'- 4 ply, yep. i'd still be knitting that for next year and a half. So yay for you!!!
I really like the buttons too.
Posted by: vera | 05/07/2007
It is beautiful!!
Posted by: Elena | 05/07/2007
I give it a 10 and two thumbs up! The color is gorgeous, the fit is perfect and overall you look fabulous in it.
Congratualtions!
Posted by: Stefanie | 05/07/2007
Blithe is absolutely gorgeous! I think i need/want/must have a blithe too....maybe i can knit her early spring in preparation for next summer!
DIVINE!!!!!!!!!!!! Well done Erin!
Posted by: jacqueline | 05/07/2007
Your 'Blithe' is a knockout! I can't believe that you did that one size 1s and 2s, you have a lot of patience. I agree that the ribbing on the sleeves is key to its success. I especially like it with the brown tee, btw...
Posted by: Heather | 05/07/2007
I love, love , LOVE it! It's amazing and I'm so glad that it feels that way to you too -- I have that same thing where I'm rarely pleased with a finished knit. Maybe I need to give Blithe a try!
Posted by: Melissa Ryan | 05/07/2007
Blithe really is a beautiful sweater and a perfect fit for you all the way around. Nice work, good job;-)
Posted by: margene | 05/07/2007
PERFECT! Congratulations - wear it well!
Posted by: Cara | 05/07/2007
Wow--you both look fantastic!!! :)
Posted by: Stitch-n-Snitch | 05/07/2007
erin no words can express how fabulous that knit is!! i love kim h!! excellent job and what a wonderful fit! oh boy do i have to get back into the knits :-)
Posted by: margaux | 05/07/2007
what a pretty knit! it's so classic and wearable, and the fit is fantastic.
Posted by: Sara | 05/07/2007
Beautiful! Just beautiful. It fits well, the color is gorgeous, and it has that timeless quality common to so many of her knits.
How did you obtain more yarn to lengthen the sweater, though? Her designs are just sold in kits, yes?
Posted by: Amy | 05/07/2007
You look great in Blithe! Those cap sleeves are very cute.
Posted by: Cheryl | 05/07/2007
it looks great! I love it! congrats on a great looking, great fitting sweater! :)
[I also love the brown under -- looks great with that steely blue!]
Posted by: jess | 05/07/2007
What a great fit! I loooooove it, it looks very pretty :)
Posted by: Brooke | 05/07/2007
Looks great! Can't wait to see what you make next!
Posted by: Cathi | 05/07/2007
You with the gorgeous sweaters! Love this one! And it looks so great with the brown. I have no idea how you keep churning them out...
Posted by: Kim | 05/07/2007
Erin, you are so gorgeous!!! Oh yeah, and Blithe is pretty too. I need to come to SLC so you can teach me how to knit. :)
Posted by: holli | 05/07/2007
It's totally gorgeous. You look great in it! I have much knitterly envy, as per usual.
Posted by: KatherineOfItAll | 05/07/2007
Blithe turned out lovely! Great job!
Posted by: Octopus Knits | 05/07/2007
It looks absolutely fabulous on you, girl. Fit, color, the way you matched it with the brown. LOVE it. Brava!
Posted by: Lolly | 05/07/2007
Really fantastic! You are inspiring me to get on my summer knits!
Posted by: nicole | 05/07/2007
Fabulous. I'm glad you picked that color, it looks great!
Posted by: Steph | 05/07/2007
looks great! i'd love to knit it as more of a tunic and add a few inches to the torso.
Posted by: kelliann | 05/07/2007
It's fantastic and it looks great on you, and you have a whole season to wear it!
Posted by: nova | 05/07/2007
Really beautiful work! It looks so wearable too!
Posted by: laura b | 05/07/2007
She's gorgeous. I am in love with this sweater! The textures are great.
Posted by: Jess | 05/07/2007
It is completely stunning. Now I am 100% convinced that I need this.
Good work. It's perfect.
Posted by: Kate | 05/07/2007
you have done a really amazing job! the color, the fit, it's all perfect! not to mention, i think your model shots have improved now that you are wearing a knit that you truly love. blithe is just perfect!
Posted by: rachel i. | 05/07/2007
Gorgeous! It looks perfect on you. Congrats on a fabulous FO!
Posted by: Meredith | 05/07/2007
Blithe is saying "Look at me! Look at me! I'm so pretty!" Another beautiful fit!
Posted by: tiennie | 05/07/2007
any one who sees this and doesn't automatically want to knit it is crazy ~except for me because I saw how tiny all of those hundreds of rows are.
Posted by: annzy | 05/07/2007
Love, love, just love it. It fits you so well...
Posted by: lisa | 05/07/2007
Looks lovely on you! I love the colour you chose. I would love to make this... soon I hope!
Posted by: jen | 05/07/2007
Love it! Wear it to work so we can all tell you in person. It really suits you.
Posted by: freerangeliberal | 05/07/2007
Oh Erin - that is absolutely drop dead gorgeous!
Congrats on a perfectly executed sweater - you look mahhvelous!
Posted by: Teyani | 05/07/2007
Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. It really really suits you
Posted by: Bev | 05/08/2007
You should be happy, it is gorgeous!
Posted by: Jen M | 05/08/2007
Hi, I'm delurking to say how much I am in love with that sweater!! just beautiful!
Posted by: Emily | 05/08/2007
Blithe is so gorgeous! I definitely want to get this kit, wow! And it looks fabulous on you and fits you perfectly!
Posted by: Crystal | 05/08/2007
super, super cute!
Posted by: Stefanie | 05/08/2007
Unbelievably beautiful!!!! I totally relate to the whole perfectionist thing and not always being totally happy with the finished product, but Blithe is REALLY beautiful. And perfect on you too! Nice :)
Posted by: Sarah | 05/08/2007
Oh, WOW! Blithe turned out so pretty! And such a perfect fit on you! Congrats on one beautiful spring sweater, babe!
Posted by: knittingphilistine | 05/09/2007
Once again... you make me want to knit. Blithe is AMAZING and you look so fantabulous in it! Love, love, love it.. nice job Queenie.
Posted by: Red | 05/09/2007
Such pretty details -- it looks fabulous! :)
*waves hello from (kinda) down the road from you*
Posted by: Katinka | 05/09/2007
Erin, I just wanted to let you know that your blog is great and I always look forward to what you've written and knitted! Blithe is really fantastic, I wish I could knit something that beautiful!
Posted by: Kristine | 05/09/2007
It looks fabulous! I love it pair with that brown :-)
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool | 05/09/2007
I can't believe I'm commenting twice on the same post... but as good as Blithe looked on your blog, it looked even better in person. Best of luck to you!
Posted by: Cheryl | 05/09/2007
Wonderful. I have always loved this pattern, but was scared by the itty bitty needles. You are brave and it turned out beautifully!
Posted by: shopgirl | 05/09/2007
I love it! Looks great on you!
Posted by: Dawn | 05/10/2007
You've pushed me over the edge... I've ordered mine today. Thank you for sharing yours!
Posted by: jen | 05/10/2007
That sweater looks fantastic on you. I've always loved Kim Hargreaves' designs. They're all so flattering.
Posted by: Erin | 05/11/2007
That looks great!
Posted by: Romi | 05/12/2007
Blithe looks fantastic on you! The color, the fit, wow! Great job
Posted by: Amanda Cathleen | 05/14/2007
Wow! I've always been a fan of this designer but this sweater is spectacular! I went to the link of the book. Did anyone else notice that the model in the picture (second row, middle shot) is playing the circle game? Look at her hands...
Posted by: 5elementnknitr | 05/15/2007
Wow... that is a gorgeous sweater in an amazing color. You've really outdone yourself. I hope that every time you wear it, you glow with a knitter's pride.
Posted by: allie | 05/15/2007
I gotta say; when I saw Blithe on that scrawny stick of a model, I was all eh, and I couldn't figure out why you were spending all this time knitting it.
But it looks fantastic on you. The color is great, the knitting is wonderful. Nicely done.
Posted by: Kristine | 05/15/2007
Blithe came out great! I know what you mean about perfectionism. When I finish something I look at all the things I wish I did better, rather than just enjoy it. But your top really does look perfect on you!
Posted by: Debby | 05/16/2007