Thursday, April 23, 2015

Ariane and a year........


I finished my latest crochet sweater Ariane this afternoon.  I just needed to steam block it and add the buttons so it was a quick finish after work.  


This project was much harder for me than it should have been,  I simply could not get the stitch count right on every single row of the yoke of the sweater.  I was driving myself mad because I like things to be perfect and work out the right way and this did not.


I used the English version of this French pattern.  I am grateful for the translation but I have a feeling something was off in the pattern.   It just did not make sense.  There was to much left to chance, do you hdc in the beginning stitch, why was there two row 18's for size medium?  I swear I dc'ed a few too many stitches together and added stitches to get the right stitch count in every row until I got to the lace pattern.


This yarn is stash yarn from that gorgeous yarn store I visit in Franklin, NC, Silver Thread and Golden Needles.  Do you remember my visit there last June to celebrate the life of my dear friend who passed away from lung cancer?  This is their store brand yarn and I adore it.  I bought the same color, "Silver Mine" a few years ago in a thicker weight yarn.  I knit a short sleeve shrug with it and put on a crochet border, I love it and do wear it which is a rarity with me and things I make myself.   The yarn is called Cherish, hand dyed specifically for the store, and this sport weight yarn had 300 yards per skein.  I used almost two full skeins on this project, approximately 570 yards for size medium, so it cost me about $32 dollars to make.  I also used a size G hook for the bodice part of the sweater and switched to a H, for the lace portion so it would have more stretch and drape.


The buttons were straight from my button box.  I have a small cardboard box filled with a few extra buttons from different projects.  I was lucky these beauties were right there ready to be used.


The pattern is free on Ravelry, the English version is right there, too.  I am not saying don't make this, maybe your counting will be spot on.  But if you can fudge the stitch count a little here and there and not get all crazy and OCD about it then this is your pattern.  I am a little on the perfectionist side so this was a tough one for me.  I would also suggest working in a bigger size hook than the suggested G hook.  It would add more drape and stretch to the fabric you are creating.  I did several more rows of the bodice but I did them in HDC, and DC, alternating rows.  I was getting off count even more after the rows with a space in them so I had had enough of those.  I also didn't want the lace portion to start so high up on my chest,  so I adapted as needed.  I had a lot of yarn to use so I also did one more pattern repeat of the lace, remember I am tall so I need to accommodate for my length.  I hope you like it.  

Next I am going to tackle Vicki Chan's Jamie.  I know it looks surprisingly similar to this Ariane sweater vest.  I have to say in a total moment of frustration I bought and downloaded this pattern because I just did not think I could figure out what I was doing wrong with Ariane.  But then after reading the pattern it requires sock weight yarn and I really wanted to use this gray so I persevered and thought I would make Jamie when I was finished.  I already have the yarn in my stash so I am going to get started tonight. 

Seems like I am making a lot for myself lately.  It is easy to make scarves, hats and shawls for others, sweaters not so much.  They are really time consuming and they are hard to fit.  I think I deserve a few new things even if I rarely go anywhere but work, therapy for Little Buddy and a walk around the grocery store.  Now I will be ready when I do go somewhere!  I am loving using up stash yarn.  It is giving me a great sense of satisfaction to try and find the right weight yarn with the correct yardage in my stash.  So far so good and I have not purchased yarn for months.


Tomorrows is the one year anniversary of my Mother passing away.  I know it should be a day like any other day but it really isn't.  I miss her, but I have been missing her a very long time.  This marks a year without my BIL, my dear MIL and my Mother.  Next month marks the anniversary of my friend Bruce passing away from lung cancer.  They have missed so much, and they are missed so much.  

Have a great weekend.

45 comments:

kathy b said...

Mere

Bless you in your grief. I love that you used CHERISH yarn . You cherish your departed loved ones.
I love what you have created. The button is perfect.
I rarely make sweaters and tops, they are such a challenge and rarely fit me after all my sweat and tears!
I just love what you have created .
love the tulips too

Lilbitbrit said...

That top is just lovely. Yes we do miss our loved ones. Take care.

Christy

Teresa Kasner said...

Meredith, that is just beautiful! The natural variations of color in the yarn are just magical. By the way.. I found a vintage seamstress dummy on eBay and it's now in my living room.. I'll show it in a future post. Hope you show your sweater on you for us! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

CJ said...

You make such lovely things, and you completely deserve them. You've made a lovely job of the finished one, and so quickly too, you're a genius. So sorry that it's the anniversary of your loss, and for your other losses, I know how they can weigh heavily. I hope you're able to have a good few days with your family. Sending you a cyber hug. CJ xx

Jo said...

Hi Mere, I think the cardigan is delightful and I often get comments about what I wear when I am 'out' you look lovely etc. I feel better when I wear nice clothes no matter where I am going so stand tall, dress up and be out there. Love to you Jo x

Helen said...

Your crochet is so beautiful, I love the garments you make. Thinking about you tomorrow, these anniversaries are never easy. Hugs x

Pammy Sue said...

I've loved seeing your crochet makes for yourself lately. So pretty! You do a great job. This one is really pretty also, and I love the gray yarn you used. I ordered some sock yarn online today. It's hard to get over the sticker shock of the good yarn versus what you get at Hobby Lobby. Ha-ha. I know you are sad about all these anniversaries of losing dear ones. Hugs to you. XOXO

Unknown said...

The top is beautiful Meredith. I love the yarn color. My mom has been gone for 8 years and I miss her always. It took me several years before I could use some of the things I had saved from her home. I am just now going through her recipe collection. You will get more comfort from the good memories as time goes on. Hugs, Marilyn

elns said...

What a beautiful garment Mere. I'm sending you a large hug as you remember you loved ones.

Judy S. said...

Wow, Meredith, it seems like you just started this and now you have a lovely sweater to wear. I still miss my mom, and she's been gone a long time. Thankfully there are lots of good memories to sustain us. Hugs to you, Mere!

ellen said...

It is so difficult..all of these losses. I do know for sure. The older I get the more there are. Maybe and perhaps there is an affirmation in these losses. It proves how much we love one another, how we so miss the presence of another in our life..and how much they mattered to us. It is so hard to accept..but aren't we so blessed to have loved ones in our life? And that loss and pain is a tribute to those who are gone.
Much love, E.
It does take time, I know. It is never easy and my heart goes out to you, dear one.

Betsy said...

Meredith that is one beautiful sweater. Even with your frustration, it turned out wonderfully. I love the name of the yarn. Cherish. You, my dear, are cherished by many, even though we haven't met with "skin on." You have made it throught that first, almost impossible year of grieving and have been an inspiration to many of us. I remember the first year without my Mom and I didn't think I would survive. Added to that your BIL and MIL and I can't even imagine. Love and prayers to you, especially tomorrow.
Blessings always my friend,
Betsy

Apple Blossom Dreams said...

Oh my Meredith, this is so very pretty. I love the length. I see it with a pair of heathered gray leggings. So cute!

Vera said...

Love your new sweater Meredith...so pretty and the color is just amazing. Losing parents (or anyone) is so hard. My mom has been gone 10 years now and there isn't a day that I don't think of her and miss her. But, over time I have been able to have much more positive thoughts and memories...and many laughs. I'll be thinking of you and Claudia.

Anonymous said...

There is nothing wrong with making things for yourself, especially CUTE things.

I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. It's hard to miss the ones we love.

Lynne said...

This sweater worked up beautiful in your yarn, and I would never know you had any trouble with the pattern. Your modifications turned out great!
Take care :)
Lynne

My Garden Diaries said...

Beautiful sweater Meredith! I am so glad you were able to push through the confusing pattern and come out with such a beauty!!! And I will be sending you many think thoughts tomorrow......I can only imagine the waves of emotion you must feel with all you have been through.........thinking of you and sending you prayers and hugs sweet friend. May all of their love and memories carry you through. Nicole xoxo

Pradeepa said...

Love all the gorgeous tops that you create! The color is very beautiful.

mamasmercantile said...

Sending you a hug in your grief, hope fully you have lots of wonderful memories to reflect upon. You are such a busy bee, the cardigan is a delight, love the drape on it and the beautiful button.

Joyful said...

I really love the sweater. The colour, the style and the length. It seems longer than the original pattern photo. I'm so glad it is a free pattern on Ravelry because I can actually crochet and would love to try this one one day. Hugs. xx

Joyful said...

I left my comment too soon before I read about the anniversary of your mom's passing. I pray you will have a wonderful day with warm thoughts and memories and only a few tears. Big hugs to you my friend.

Unknown said...

That is just gorgeous! Now your hubby needs to take you out for dinner to show it off! I bet you will get plenty of compliments. With all that you do you deseve a dinner out. Recharge your batteries. Have I convinced you yet???
I am so sorry for all the loss of so many people who you loved.

Tanna said...

Sending you warmest thoughts of love and peace today, Meredith. I am so sorry for your grief.

You have outdone yourself with beautiful tops lately. I love this one too... though would never attempt it... because if you had problems, I wouldn't stand a chance! This yarn is GORGEOUS.

Big hugs to you, dear one. blessings ~ tanna

Unknown said...

You so deserve to make things for yourself. I'm glad you are. The sweater is beautiful; you did a great job improvising it. And I made "Jamie" a favorite of mine in Ravelry awhile ago! I'll keep you in my prayers the next few days. That's a lot of loss all around the same time. Take care!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!!

Toni said...

It looks lovely!

Aside from one of my closest friends, my husband, and an occasional sweater for my mother, all other sweaters I've knitted for others have been certifiable disasters. Even when the sweaters turned out, they've all been unworn and unappreciated. That's a lot of work to be thrown away.

Jennifer Hays said...

Your Ariane is really beautiful. You've made such lovely things lately. I'm glad you're making things for yourself. I need to do more of that myself. Thinking of you and your loved ones, take care.

Ana BC said...

That is one gorgeous top, Meredith!!! and I love the yarn too.

Ana BC said...

Gorgeous top, Meredith!!!
it could go either casual or elegant.

Old Magnolia Tree said...

I was so very sorry to read about all those that you lost. It must be such a hard time for you. But I'm also glad that you are finding joy in your crochet. And so you should that top is really amazing. You've done a great job. I took a look at Jamie pattern and I line that too. I might even have a go at it. So is fingering weight sick Yarm then? We don't use the term here and I always wondered what it meant.
Rosie xx

kathyinozarks said...

Yes you do deserve making lovely garments for you to enjoy-I made and gave away most all the quilts I have made since retirement-so now I have decided we deserve quilts too-very satisfying too.
Sorry for the difficult time now-it never gets easier, but good to remember-hugs
Kathy

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

I spotted your Ariane on Pinterest the other day. It (she?) is stunning! I am so envious (in the nicest way of course) that a) you have the staying power to make such a beautiful garment, b) you can do it so quick (even if this one wasn't quick you usually are! and c) you have the figure to wear it! And I hope you enjoy wearing it, it's gorgeous :) Happy Weekend,
Jillxo

linda said...

Well to say that you had so many problems with it Meredith it has turned out just fine, I love it and I bet it looks lovely on, but I know where you are coming from it's so annoying when the stitch count is out and the pattern doesn't work, I usually am able to adapt it but it's great when it just falls place. I have had a look at the Jamie it does look similar but hopefully the pattern will be more accurate. Well done on all the stash busting it gives great satisfaction to see the pile of yarn diminishing and actually leaving a space ready to be filled with more yummy yarn in the future, I'm thinking of you and your loved ones and sending hugs your way. xxxx

Annie Cholewa said...

That is a stunning top!

Hugs to you dear Meredith, you sound like you could do with a few xxx

Caffeine Girl said...

Sad anniversaries are so hard. You have weathered a lot of loss in the last year and done it with your usual grace. I am thinking of you.

You are smoking on the knitting! I think it is great to see you knitting for yourself. You do SO much for others!

Ljubinka said...

Gorgeous sweater!
Happy day.:*

EMMA said...

Wow that's amazing - can't ever imagine making something that detailed. I'm fluent in french but never attempt to knit or crochet from a french pattern, they always seem to be written in the most complicated way possible!

Vicki Boster said...

Meredith--
It's gorgeous!! I love the beautiful pattern and it made up so perfectly in that lovely yarn--- I don't know how you found the time!!

I'm sorry for your loss-- I know the heartache of anniversary days-- it's hard. It's been several years since the loss of both of my parents and I can still cry at the drop of a hat...
Xoxoxo
Vicki

Taci simmons said...

My dearest frind Meredith, I absolutely love your sweater. Such intricate and elegant pattern and the yarn you close is just perfect.
I'm so very sorry for the loss of your mom, BIL, MIL and friend. What a difficult, emotional year this must have been for your. I hope knowing you have so many friends who care about you and thinks you are just wonderful helps you and makes the load a little less heavy. Lots of love n hugs to you my dear friend.

Gillian said...

I always feel quilty when I make something for myself. But I really want to make some more things - tope for the summer and then a tunic for the winter when it comes. I'm currently crocheting a cardigan for myself and am having the same sort of problems as you. When I count the stitches I have already done and count what I'm supposed to work into them, it all adds up correctly. But when I actuall work the row it is way off. I did it maybe 4 times and then gave up and did a bit of tweaking. I don't think anyone will notice!

Anonymous said...

Oh Meredith, I understand. You remember my "anniversary" came in November. People say the "gutted deer" feeling goes away with time, but I'm not convinced it does. It doesn't hurt so sharply now, but if I think about her, I'll cry...like right now. If I could only have just five more minutes with her. But its the circle of life, we'll cherrish for as long as we live, the memories. And if it gets really bad, then I just look at my hands because I have her hands, or look in the mirror because I look just like her. You'd be surprised how often I stop what I'm doing and just look at my hands, then hold them to my heart and wisper "I love you mom".

You're crochet is making me want to revisit that Jordan Pineapple top, I used the totally-wrong yarn the first time. Yours is a stunner!!

Gillian Roe said...

I hope the anniversary wasn't too painful and that you are feeling more chirpy now. You can really tell how much time and effort you put into that top, it's beautiful. xx

Grammy Braxton said...

Dear Meredith, sending you hugs! The sweater is gorgeous as all you work is. I understand your feelings. It will be a year next month since Mom passed away and I've felt her loss each day. Please know I think of you and send you hugs and love all the time.
Hugs,
Sharon

Suzan said...

Your talent is never ending!!! Such an elegant sweater!!
It is difficult when you lose those close to you and you never stop longing for them!!! But that's good! You never want to forget :-}}

p said...

Mere, Your finished product is beautiful. The first problem I've had with this pattern is that one side is slanted. It has gotten bigger and bigger because it says to do two DC in the last stitch on one side. Doing this has increased my one side by almost two inches. I may take it completely out and start over. But my question is, how do you start the lace pineapple part? I can't figure out from the pattern what I'm supposed to do. And I don't see any other blog that talks about this project in particular. Can you help me?
Patty Kuehn