Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day!

I made this sweet little heart for Mountain Man. It's knit with cochineal-dyed licorice twist, lined with pink cotton fabric, and filled with lavender flowers.


The pattern is 'Lavender Heart' from Pretty Knits, with some modifications. In addition to changing the yarn, needles (6), and overall size, I made it by knitting one large rectangle in the front stitch pattern instead of two squares in contrasting yarn and stitches. I handsewed it. And I made it so the 'wrong side' is on the outside (it's more subtle than the ribbed 'right side').

It's a nice little pattern that I'm sure I'll use again and again for gifts. But I'm sad to say that I can't say the same for the rest of the patterns in the book ....

I was very much drawn in by the title and the concept of girly, lux knits. But in the end, it came off as too much frilly frippery for my taste. Too many ruffles, beads, bows, and flowers. And too much frenetic mixing up of textures and colors. I do like a few of the simpler patterns -- namely, a kidsilk haze stole (Anisette) and a delicate tunic-length cardigan (Isobel) -- and may make them yet, but I do wish they came with charts instead of just line-by-line instructions.

I'm disappointed because I really did want to like this book. But, these days, even romance has gone modern! I'm more likely to look to the stronger, body-conscious lines in books like Sensual Knits, Fitted Knits, and Knitting Lingerie Style.

3 comments:

Macoco said...

That lavender heart is so sweet. It's such a thoughtful gift.

Julia (MindofWinter) said...

That heart is wonderful. I'm sorry to hear that the book is really frilly, because I'm guessing it would be less interesting than I thought as well. I'm usually pretty simple in style. Maybe you could take some elements of the pieces away and end up with something feminine but more streamlined. Thanks for your well-wishes on the blog. I have only been sick this long when I had a combo of Pneumonia and Valley Fever (fun!). I rarely feel sick, but when I do, I do it well!

kathy b said...

Cute heart! I love lavendar.
Thaks for the reality check on that book. I am much more inclined to look at lingerie styal and fitted knits thanks to you