Ruthless Knitting

This top was a long, long time in the making. You may not recognize it, because it used to be orange. I won’t revisit the entire tale of its genesis, since it is already well-documented, and my memory is pretty fuzzy at any rate. The short version is that this garment started out as a copy of an Anthropologie sweater, veered off into disaster when I (a) ran out of yarn and (b) couldn’t figure out how to get the bottom portion right, and (c) sat in my unfinished pile for almost a year while I refused to contemplate it.

Luckily, all that time off took the sting out of my disappointment, and I was recently able to unearth the project, unravel the hideous bottom portion, wash and reskein the yarn, and figure out a new plan for finishing. I ditched the flowy part altogether in favor of a fitted look. Whereas the bodice portion was knit flat from side to side with purled ridges every inch or so, the bottom is picked up and knit straight down in a wide ribbing that lines up with the ridges. After futzing around with how to finish off the bottom edge, I finally settled on a purled ridge that curls under.

The result is far from perfect, but it is at least better. And it would be wearable, too, if I didn’t spend my days caring for the sort of baby who will spit up on it at the first opportunity. I think I’ll put it away until next spring.

James is ten weeks old as of yesterday, and I have in fact managed to knit a few times in the last several weeks — with him sleeping in a wrap on my chest, naturally, as he is a Baby Who Does Not Like To Be Put Down. And that is okay. He is a little baby, so he gets to dictate the terms. At any rate, the Derivative Top (see teensy picture in the sidebar) is finished except for weaving in the ends and blocking, both of which are on my to-do list. Expect a finished object post sometime in the next two weeks.

Meanwhile, I have acquired another vintage Bernat Christmas stocking pattern, this one with candles, trees, and wreaths on it. I got permission from Bernat to post it on my site, so I have added pattern, charts, and tips, all accessible via the Vintage Stocking Patterns link in my sidebar. Enjoy!