Friday, October 18, 2013

The Big FINISH, Bella the Beautiful

I have been missing for a week.  It is amazing how one appointment here and there added into my busy schedule completely throws me off course.  Work, family, cleaning, appointments and endless, endless knitting.   After all that hard work I have a finished project, one I am pleased as can be with.

Blogging friends..............may I introduce you to Bella.  


Bella is a design by Lene Holme Samsoe from the book Essentially Feminine Knits.  This is the project  that I started five times, the first four were a disaster, but number five made it all the way.


Can I tell you I am beside myself excited that this project worked out?  Don't look closely at the lace portion, there are many errors, but  none that pop out at you screaming that I did something wrong. 


It needs a bit more blocking, but I could not wait to show you.  I finished it last night, sewing on the buttons was the biggest relief to me, it was FINISHED!!!!  Yes I am shouting, shouting for Joy that is.  Bella, you and I have been through so much together these past few weeks.


Lace patterns and I have never had a wonderful friendship.  I must have Attention Deficit Disorder when it comes to counting, for the life of me I can not count to four on a regular basis without screwing up somehow. Lace has a LOT of counting.


I used 670 yards of Vail, a beautiful sportweight yarn made of baby alpaca/bamboo viscose.  It is presented in it's natural color, no dyeing with this yarn.  I used size 3 needles for most of this baby, believe me when I tell you that size 3 needles and I do not get along.  I complain to them that I am knitting at lightning speed and I am never getting anywhere.  I knit, and knit, and knit, then I measure the garment and I think I have actually lost ground.  I had to focus my friends, and for the last week I was determined to get some stitches in, every spare moment I had I was knitting on this baby.  I figured I had to start making some progress eventually.  Finally the Knitting Gods looked down upon me and thought I had had enough torture, so the sweater began to grow.  It was slow, and I mean really slow, but eventually I could see the light at the end of the long, dark, knitting with size 3 needle tunnel.  And here we are FINISHED!!!!!


Once again I have learned a few things about myself with this project.  I learned that I really can knit lace, but that I have to save it for when there is not a lot of stress in my life, so maybe I will tackle another lace project in another 20 years or so.  I learned I can use a lace chart, this was totally new to me and I really liked it.  I also relearned that as hard as I try counting is not easy for me, well I can count with the best of them, but repeating that count over and over again gets me in trouble.  I also remembered why I do not knit socks anymore, it is because those darn needles they use to knit socks are so tiny.  You knit, and knit, and knit and you never seem to get anywhere, and when you finish one sock you have a whole other one to tackle. I have learned that I should not give up, I have never, ever attempted a pattern five times.  I can honestly say I have never had to until now.

So Bella the beautiful you are done.  You look spectacular on Caroline the Dress Form, hopefully you will look spectacular on me, too.  I know you fit, which is an added bonus to this whole long and drawn out project.  For now I am going to leave you on Caroline so I can gaze upon your beauty as I sit here at my computer blogging.

Thank you Knitting Gods for ending my torture, hope you had a good laugh at my expense.  I have faced my Lace Demons and I have won, well this round anyway.  Now give me some thicker yarn and at least size 6 needles.

53 comments:

Ladybird Diaries said...

Mere, this is absolutely beautiful. Stunning work and you are right to be proud of it.
Marianne x

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

This made me smile, but you are so patient to keep going back and trying again, a true labour of love. It was definitely worth it, very feminine and pretty :) xx

elns said...

This is absolutely beautiful. I love your persistence and I love the combination of the yarn and pattern, it really is so beautiful and looks wearable! Lace is a labor of labor isn't it? ;) I'm with Cheryl, your patience is admirable. Wishing you more happy knitting adventures!

Babajeza said...

Hahaha! I wish you a very relaxing weekend! Nomen est omen: Bella, Bellissima. :-)

Kris said...

Beautiful!!!! Love it!!
xo Kris

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

It's beautiful!

I never had any doubt you could knit lace....You can do anything you put your mind to do, because you are awesome!

Hugs and blessings

Taci simmons said...

Great job my dear Meredith! The knitting Gods might have helped you, but you were the one who persevered and finished it... And what a beautiful, gorgeous one that is ... I LOOOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEE it .
You are GREAT!

ColourMeCrochet said...

Meredith, Bella is absolutely stunning, well done for sticking at it and seeing her through to the end.
Sally xxx

Faeryfay said...

I love it Mere! It is so elegant and beautiful! Totally gorgeous!:)
hugs, fay.

andamento said...

It's absolutely gorgeous, well worth all the work. I was going to make a comment about how I wish I could knit. I do, but I know I don't have the time to learn to make something like that, at least not now, perhaps I'll join you on your next attempt in 20 years time!

Betsy said...

Meredith it is absolutely beautiful! You persevered and look at what an amazing sweater you have. Those mean old knitting gods can be nasty things can't they? I make lots of socks and they just love to pick on me too. But...you did it!!!
Now if I could just lose 70 lbs or so, it might fit me! :-)
Blessings,
Betsy

Crafty in the Med said...

Thoroughly enjoyed this post and your humour Mere!!! I don't doubt your word and if you say there are some tiny errors in the lace bit of this make well that must be so but I can't see them. Reading between the lines your relief is apparent so relish the glorious success of finally finishing this project. It is looking more than good and I'd love to see it on you :-)
Keep well

Amanda :-)

linda said...

Congratulations Meredith you have done a brilliant job and I can emphasise with you 100% on the lacy bit and the thin needles but it's been worth all the headaches because it's beautiful! I've had a similar experience with my bobble pram cover, fine wool and hook, I could have cried with relief once it was done. Yes choose something easy for your next project, I have done or at least I thought I had. haha have a great weekend :)

Peg said...

Well done you for sticking with it, your persistence has been rewarded she's beautiful! She hangs well, she looks soft, the lace pattern is beautiful, I love the style and if my monitor is showing the correct colour she's a perfect shade of grey.
You have every right to be proud of yourself she's truly Bella the beautiful.

Peg xx

Sharron said...

I'm in awe of your perseverance Meredith! Well done, lovely job x

Mrs. C said...

Bella is exactly that, beautiful!!! Stunning, glorious, fabulous...I could keep going! Great job! Wear it often with great pride!!! :)

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Meredith, You should be so proud of yourself, cause I'm proud of you for sure. It is really beautiful and the detailed stitches are lovely. Caroline looks stunning and I can only imagine how nice it will look on you with hair and a live body!!!! Congratulations you knitting master of lace! xoRobin

kathyinozarks said...

This piece is gorgeous Meredith, good for you for sticking with it too-I think it is good for us when we do this and learn.
I love the color, that pretty pattern, and I love those buttons too-perfect. When will you first wear it?

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hell Meredith.. Bella is most gorgeous. You did a incredible job creating this lovely Lacey sweater. Hugs Judy

Suzan said...

My gooness!! Your sweater is beautiful!! You are going to be a knock out with this on!! The Grey is lovely as well as versital!! You can wear black under it or a pink - even a white!! Just lovely!! You should be so very proud!! Hope that you have a tag with your name on it to sew into this.

Pradeepa said...

Wow! Bella is AWESOME! I should appreciate your patience and perseverance. I could never imagine myself doing anything like this. It'll look great on you. The color is gorgeous.

Unknown said...

Hello Bella! You are a real looker, I have a feeling you're going to see a lot of the world and little of the closet! Congratulations, Meredith, your knitting amazes me - I stick to crochet cuz it seems so much easier! I can't imagine ever making something so lovely, and the yarn is so beautiful, too! Chrissie x

Tanna said...

FABULOUS!!! I know you are going to LOVE wearing this Meredith! it is just gorgeous. Worth every stitch with those size 3 needles!! I LOVE it! Great job. blessings ~ tanna

Marjo said...

Amazing beautiful....love it !

Love
Marjo

kathy b said...

wow. What a finish. it is so lovely.
I enjoy reading your thoughts on the process of knitting. I cannot knit garments unless I have a stretch of time off work....otherwise I rip too much.

Great yarn choice to Meredith! it is so beautiful

Lynne said...

Congratulations on winning over the lacy bits! Your persistence has paid off, and that is one beauty of a sweater. I LOVE the undyed color of the yarn, it seems a great match for this pattern, and the neckline is so feminine. Well done!!!!!!!

sweetpea family said...

Bella is beautiful you must be so very proud and I am so impressed with your will power but it was worth all of your hard work. I think I am craving something chunky to knit but not sure what to make yet x

Jennifer said...

Gorgeous!!! Love it!

Jennifer @ Fiber Flux

Penny said...

Oh clever clever YOU! I love that you have faced and had victory over the lace demons! I am not quite there yet, only managed some lace in a couple of shawls. One day I will be found to have knitted a lace containing cardy. This is gorgeous, enjoy wearing it. I love the colour too xox Penny

forgetmenotsblue said...

Wow looks brilliant I wouldn't know where to start well done you! You must be really pleased with it x

Jennifer Hays said...

Oh, wow. Bella is stunning, really. You are so talented! I know she will look beautiful on you. Well done!

Pooch said...

All honor to you, Meredith, for staying with this project! Bella is your beautiful reward! Hope you are now on the road to many happy moments together!

:)

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh my dear Meredith, that turned out just spectacular! And I love the name too.. Bella for a grey sweater is perfect! I just wish you'd model it for us.. you're gorgeous and thin and I'd love to see it on you. Congrats that you have persevered and finished that sweater. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Linda said...

Well done Meredith, you struggled and persevered and tried again and again to produce this wonderful masterpiece. Let Caroline hug Bella for a while so you can gaze with pride at you achievement. a big well done from me x

Pammy Sue said...

I'm missing your posts lately and I don't know why. Others' blogs are doing the same thing to me and I don't see them until the next day or so. Anyway...I feel your relief coming through on the page. Good for you for sticking with it and pushing through to the finish. I know that feels good! It's a beautiful piece!

Joy said...

Well done Meredith, I am in awe of your high level of perseverance and dedication to completing Bella; and wasn't it worth it, for she is absolutely beautiful! A wonderful achievement!
Warm hugs, Joy xo

Bridget said...

GORGEOUS! Congratulations on both your perseverance, and the beautiful result.

Lillie and Moss said...

It deserves a BLUE RIBBON! a job well done!
Hugs Shari

Ana BC said...

So worth the effort...It is truly beautiful! Bella, bella!!! Congratulations :-)

Olga Poltava said...

Congrats on finishing this wonderful project. All your attempts payed off. It's gorgeous!

RURAL said...

Oh that is well...I'm wordless for a second here, it's stunning.

I bet it looks stunning on you too, what clean lines, but still so feminine of a shape. It will slim, and skim, what more could you ask for.

Now...when will it be cool enough to wear it? Hmmm? You had better live here where you could wear it 9 months out of the year.

Jen

Susanne Tyree said...

Good for you! I think I heard your sigh of relief when you finished this beautiful sweater. Your persistence paid off. I'm glad you didn't give up. I have always loved gray (hence the shawl from your shop). Gray goes with pretty much everything and I am sure you will look stunning in it. The fun part is wearing it and having someone come up to you and asking, "Oh how lovely, where did you get this sweater?" and you get to reply, "Why right off of my knitting needles!" Then of course you have to worry a bit cause they may ask you to make them one, lol
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Ha-ha! You are so funny! Congrats on finishing. I love the color! You did a great job and have the satisfaction of having completed what you started. I have a hard time counting, too. That's why I stick with easy projects. I use my brain enough at school. Sometimes I just want to do something that doesn't require a lot of thought. Hope all is well in your little corner of the world. Wishing you a wonderful day. Tammy

Toni said...

It's just beautiful!!!!

Unknown said...

WOW Bella is gorgeous, you are such a talented knitter, dee x

Danette Bartelmay said...

Oh Meredith!
Bella IS beautiful!!!
You did a wonderful job, and I see NO MISTAKES. Love the color too.
So happy you accomplished the task. Lace knitting is a favorite of mine but I have to be in the right mind set. It is a slow mover usually for me too.
Lovely Day to You,
Danette
P.S. I have been away from my blog for a MONTH! EEK!!! Time to get back at it...

Between Me and You said...

Such a pretty Bella and in a very nice shade of grey. Lace and me don't get along either - there are holes where there shouldn't be holes and no holes where there should be!!It's on my Bucket List though! x

Gracie Saylor said...

I admire your work as well, Meredith! Bravo! Bravo! Encore! (the next one will be easier, right :)
Gracie xx

Mrs. Micawber said...

Oh my gosh Mere she is BEAUTIFUL! I don't know how you did it - it would have taken me at least a year. Congratulations for hanging in there and finishing her. What an accomplishment, and you get to wear it too!

I don't do size 3 needles either. Ugh. :)

Kristen said...

She is stunning! What a gorgeous design, and well done with the knitting, too--nobody will ever see any mistakes. :)

Handmade and off-centered said...

I love the Bella pattern. My mamma is making a Bella baby sweater for our new addition in December in a sweet peach color. I have seen Bella vests, sweaters and sweater-dresses for little girls and now for us grown gals ;) Yours looks great.
-Birgitta

Annie Cholewa said...

It's gorgeous Mere, so pretty, and I love the colour, grey's my favourite :)

Rose Red said...

It is so lovely! Worth all the ripping and re knitting! And learning charts, good on you! I know what you mean about using such small needles, it really does feel like you are knitting forever and getting nowhere! But you did it! Hurrah!