holly

I feel like I keep falling off the face of the blogosphere, usually for a week or so at a time. No time or energy to blog, or even read other blogs. I wish someone would have told me that when a child starts school, your life gets infinitely more busy. I thought that I'd get a little more time to myself while the Princess was at school and Zippy napped. On some days, I do get those blessed hours, but most of the time, there is something to be taken care of. Volunteering at school, dance lessons, toddler tumbling classes, and now, of all things, I've found myself in the role of a Daisy Girl Scout leader. How the hell did this happen? I can tell you that this is not where I pictured my life heading at this age, but it's too late to look back now. I love my kids to pieces, and I'm finding myself doing things that I never thought I would ever do, just for them. Funny how life does that to you, turning your expectations upside down, again and again.

Naturally, the whirlwind of activity is severely cutting into my knitting and spinning time, and I'm guessing that it will only get worse as the kids get older and involved in even more activities. I'm slowly plugging away on a couple of different spinning projects, but with five minutes here, and ten minutes there, I'm not making much headway. Same goes for knitting. A few weeks ago, I was tired of the slow progress, and decided to start a sweater that I knew wouldn't take very long, even with limited time. Let us overlook the fact that if, perhaps, I had fewer projects, I might be able to make more progress. Minor details.

Pattern: Holly from Naturally Noro by Jane Ellison
Yarn: Noro Transitions color #6, 7 skeins for smallest size
Needles: 7.0mm Denise circulars
Modifications: I added waist shaping since this sweater is knit with several inches of ease, and I didn't want to look like I was wearing a knitted sack. In hindsight, I should have just left it alone. The waist shaping really doesn't seem to make much difference. I also changed up the neck a bit. First of all, I wasn't going to knit it flat and have a big 'ol seam on my neck, so I removed the two edge stitches and simply knit it in the round. Unfortunately, when I followed the pattern as written, it was ridiculously huge. Either that, or my neck is freakishly small. It reminded me of an Elizabethan-era ruff collar, which may have been fashionable in the 16th century, but not so much in the 21st. So, I ripped. I didn't like the way the pattern was written, anyhow, having the first half of the collar knit in stockinette stitch, and then switch to ribbing for the turned-over portion. I took out about 18 stitches (seriously!) and knit the entire turtleneck in 2x2 rib.  Much better. One last simple mod was to skip the turned-up cuffs. For one thing, the sleeves weren't quite long enough for that, and besides, the cuff was far too bulky.

All in all, it's just an OK sweater. It's comfortable, that much is certain, but not entirely flattering. I sort of expected that, considering it's knit in a bulky yarn, which of course tends to make the wearer look bulky. I've wanted to knit this sweater since the book came out a few years ago, and though I'm not completely enamored with it, I do think it'll make a good weekend sweater. You know, for those cold winter afternoons where I lounge around with a cup of tea and my knitting? Ha!

A girl can dream, can't she?

Comments

[patti]

I think that is an absolutely beautiful sweater and it looks great on you. I am planning on knitting up a bulky weight sweater (from French girl) for some instant gratification, plus I plan on wearing it as a jacket for a while here. So I don't think the bulky will be too bothersome!

Life does get busy with even one or two activities. My advice would be to limit the amount of activities! My parents had me choose between gymnastics and brownies, and I can't say that I was deprived because I only did one!!

[Beth]

Your sweater looks beautiful and you look beautiful in it! I know what you mean about things getting busy when school starts. Just the paperwork is enough to drive one batty.

[Danielle]

You totally made me want to go put on a big sweater and curl up on the couch!

[Carole]

Oh sweetie! I love it!

[sprite]

Okay, you might not love it, but I think it looks exactly like the sort of sweater that will be a favorite -- the one you grab because it feels like a big hug when you put it on. And I don't see what you don't like about the way it fits you; really, it (and you) look lovely.

[HobbyMommy]

I love the sweater!

[Marina]

Those colours are gorgeous and so you!

[Angelika]

I was surprised to see you wearing something that is not formfitting for a change. I bet it's going to be very comfy on those soon to be colder evenings, when you don't feel like wearing a winter coat yet. It looks great.

[Kimberly]

Oh you have summed up my life in one blog post!! I have been feeling the same thing lately, just compound it all with part-time work which is turning into full-time at part-time pay.
I really love babies and found the relaxing time with them far easier and less stressful than now with all the different activities and friends there are to attend to. AAAGGHH I used to drink tea before my kids were born, now I drink coffee. Tea is for those with lots of relaxing time on their hands while coffee is for those who need to find time to wake up.
That sweater is gorgeous and much more than I could hope to accomplish right now. It looks great on you and I love the pics!!

[Katie]

I think it's great, Rachel! And I totally get the feelings about your life being different than you expected. Mine is that way, too, in more ways than one. And yeah, once DJ started 4K, suddenly there's a birthday party every weekend (not that we go to all of them, but still) and something to be prepared for class. Busy, busy.

[Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)]

That sweater is gorgeous, and the colors are so flattering to you! Think of it as a dressy sweatshirt and you'll end up loving it, too. (That's what happened with the Noro sweater I knitted that ended up fit for an NFL linebacker.)

Having a kid start school is a lot like having a new baby; initially it seems really hard, but it gradually gets easier. And once they're both in school, you really do get your life back. There'll still be lots to do for school and activities, but you'll have become so much more efficient that it won't seem like much of a burden anymore. And then, at least if you're like me, your husband will start pushing you to go back to work.

[Teyani]

You know, I don't think that anything could ever make YOU look "bulky" - (smile) The sweater looks wonderful - a perfect weekend cozy sweater that will make you feel all snug.
Nice job.

And not to worry, the kids do eventually grow, and life settles down (then you'll be thinking the house is too quiet! - grin)

[Sue]

Love the Holly sweater, I'm just starting one myself, in a similar colorway of Noro. I'm having the hardest time deciding which size to make - I know it's supposed to be oversized, but I don't want it to be gigantic. If you don't mind, how many inches of ease did the size you selected give you at the bust? Seeing how it fits you and knowing how much ease you knitted will help me select a size - thanks!!

[elemmaciltur]

Wow! That looks sooooo comfy and cozy!

[Jennie]

The sweater is gorgeous! So comfy and just perfect for cold weather knitting. :)

[keri]

It looks so soft and cozy but still has a nice sense of style, perfect for those chilly, busy mornings. And hey you can always dream of being wrapped up on the couch with some tea and knitting, you'll get there eventually! Hope things calm down for you soon! =)

[Karen]

It's a great sweater! It looks warm and cozy and comfortable. Sounds perfect to me.

And just to warn you...you're life probably won't slow down for a while still. About 14 or so years I'm guessing.... ;)

[Faith]

I love how cozy it looks! Sometime I really need to knit a sweater for myself. I am always coveting yours!

[Hege]

The colours is beautiful! I want one too ;)

[Macoco]

The sweater is so beautiful and I adore all of those colors. So pretty.

[Kay]

You don't look at all bulky in that sweater! Looks perfect!

[Leah]

Rachel, I don't think you are doing yourself or your sweater justice! It really is gorgeous!