Or maybe the theme for a little while, is “finishing”.
I ordered some reward yarn from Webs, but it has not yet arrived, and after playing with the idea of a new sweater (or ten) the other day, I have now decided that until said reward yarn arrives, I shall finish things. I finished the bohus a long time ago, but it never properly got its photoshoot. This last trip to Seattle I met up with my bohus enabler and good friend, Susanna Hansson and she played photographer for me.
(Why we both have wet hair, I do not recall.)
I knit my Bohus in February, and it was an uplifting way to spend the dreariest part of the Canadian winter. My kit was “Guld” (which those of you with even the slightest translation instincts will guess is “gold”) and it was a pleasure and then some to have the knitting equivalent of a golden sunrise on my needles every day. I loved everything about this sweater. I love how it looks,
I even love how it fits.
I did a pack of modifications to this sweater. I knit it in the round, once I got past the armholes and shaping. (Bohus are traditionally knit flat and sewn up.) I knit hems at the sleeves and waist to replace the traditional ribbing, which I sincerely feel is the least flattering idea ever had. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I need is for someone to shape knitwear so that it clings tightly to my belly and arse.
Finally, I added waist shaping.
Since Bohus are knit top down and I was working in the round, it made it a very simple matter to put it on and add shaping on the fly. I love this sweater and I can’t wait to get another one on the needles. Despite the small gauge (and I won’t kid ya. The gauge is very small.) this sweater flew by.
This sweater also flew by, although considering the gauge that it’s knit at…I’d be disappointed if it hadn’t.
Finished: The Fleece Artist Garter Stitch Jacket. (I got mine here)
This fits like a dream, looks fantastic, came together quickly, is warm and pretty and done just in time for fall.
The leaves are turning here in Toronto, and I imagine myself wandering High Park in this.
It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but it’s got some subtle shaping achieved by changing needle sizes. I had my doubts, but it works. I’ve closed it with a pretty pin that Kathleen made me.
It matches perfectly. This sweater was a fun, easy knit, with one exception. The combination of mohair and mohair boucle means this knit only goes in one direction. I picked up and knit the first sleeve and felt I hadn’t picked up enough stitches and the sleeve pulled in at the top. I picked up more on the second sleeve, liked that a lot better and attempted to pull back the first sleeve for a do over.
Nope. The knitting was essentially welded together. No way would the mohair come apart from itself. I ended up cutting off the sleeve, unpicking the leftover bits and trying again. Much success on the second go-round, and I’m lucky I had enough yarn. If I use these yarns again (and I think I will, I’ve got my eye on this one. Also this one. Actually, I may be on a bit of a Fleece Artist Jag right now.) then I would be sure and call it quits on a mistake as soon as I suspected it, instead of adopting a wait and see approach. As much as I don’t mind them, this yarn doesn’t care for do-overs.
Next up on the finishing list…Mystery Stole 3. I’m mid “clue 5” and the whole shebang only goes to “clue 7”. I’m going to reclaim the living room (I misplaced it during the last few weeks of the book writing process) and then see what can be done. I think I’m suddenly fond of finishing things.
Am I first?
I love your fleece artist jacket Stephanie – its beautiful. I’m knitting the same one in the mahogany color. May I ask, how many stitches did you pick up for the second sleeve? (The one you liked.) I don’t believe I have the gumption to cut off a sleeve if it isn’t looking right.
Thanks
Susan
Whooohee! It appears that I really am First! That does mean that I get to choose something from your stash, right…LOL. Kidding aside, you have me obsessing about Fleece Artist kits, I want one with a deep passion…but I’ll have to wait for money to fall from the sky. All knitting from stash for the time being. I am glad to see you (well not actually see you, but I can just tell) relaxed and happy.
I, too, am finishing up a bunch of projects (small projects)- all in anticipation of me getting enough courage to start my very first sweater. Your sweaters are beautiful! What an inspiration.
The Bohus is gorgeous!! I’m humbled by your skills. That one is outside of anything I would (or could) ever attempt!!
Such stunning sweaters, Stephanie! 🙂
They are beautiful, and inspire me to hurry up & finish a certain sweater that, as of yet, hasn’t knit itself when I wasn’t looking. Or when I was looking, for that matter.
The garter jacket is GORGEOUS. I’m going to have to find myself the perfect colourway…… So is the Bohus. You’ll have to wait for the cooler weather though, I think. The weekend is calling for 27 degrees, with humidity. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Both sweaters are beautiful. Congratulations on completing the book. Good to have you back.
Well, if you’re in a mood for finishing things…my Celtic Icon only needs to have the zipper sewn in. I can FedEx it to you this afternoon!
That Bohus actually has me rethinking my views on “collared” sweaters. It looks great and sunny.
I can well imagine the fun of trying to pick apart mohair and mohair boucle. Yeehaw, sounds like a party.
You know, there’s a “Finish me!” group on Ravelry.
I badly need to catch a case of Finishitis. Think you can communicate it to me via the internet?
Love both the sweater and the jacket. I can’t wear those shades of green and gold, but I love to look at them.
What beautiful finished sweaters! If that doesn’t inspire you to go on a finishing kick, I don’t know what will.
“pretty pin that Kathleen made me”
Both sweaters are Lovely, but that pin? Awesome! Does Kathleen have a shop?
I keep seeing awe-me-dead Bohus sweaters and yoke sweaters all over the place. I think the Knitting Goddess is taunting me.
I love that garter jacket! May have to seek out a fav. color/kit at Rheinbeck!
Carolyn
Beautiful beautiful sweaters and they look SO good on you . You sure know how to pick the right ones . Any mohair and I are NOT friends after the fiasco I got into kntting with it and trying to frog!!!! Oh oh oh .!!!
Lovely work! Will Joe’s Gansey get some time in the “finishing” bin?
I need to catch the finishing bug. I have an overabundance of Startitis right now.
And your wet hair? Seattle is about 1500% humidity, so that’s probably why. People say it never stops raining there but I managed to catch some blue sky when I was there and blogged them for the world to see. Did you manage to see the Space Needle while you were there?
The Garter Stitch Jacket looks so warm and cozy, what a wonderful jacket to spend the cold months in!
Oh you and Susanna look like your having the greatest time. I was very lucky to have taken one of her classes at Stitches Midwest. What a sweet gal she is!
I’ve got my eye on Bohus for Christmas…I’m dying to knit one and now you’ve got me with Lady of the Lake! There are few things in life as wonderful as finishing a great sweater.
Wow. The Bohus is still my favorite thing going in Bloglandia. It’s just stunning. I’ve got my eye on one for someday, but meanwhile, Must. Finish. Kauni.
Congrats on getting the manuscript off!
The color of that Bohus is perfect for you! And yes, finishitis is a very good thing. Think you could bottle it and sell it to some of us? I badly need help with three sweaters . . .
Love the Bohus! I got to see that in person when you were in Chicago–it was a bit warm and I was afraid you’d melt in it, but you’d just finished it and I know you wanted to show it off. I’d like to do one someday (cardi), but without the angora. That garter stitch jacket suits you very well so now that’s got me thinking maybe I should do one. You are a bad influence…thanks! I’ve looked at the other kits too–not sure which is my favorite. I know what you mean about mohair–I’ve ripped back several rows of Kid Silk Haze before…not pretty. Add in boucle and you might as well have super glued it…LOL. It’s nice to have our Harlot back! Happy finishing!
I find finishing UFOs very rewarding because they go so fast, since they’re already partly done! Maybe that’s why I have so many of them….
I love the celtic cardigan vest! That would be just beautiful to knit up.
Bohus is AWESOME! Just beautiful.
You know I admire all your work, no matter how insane I would have to be to make or how insane it made you to create it.
I do, however, have to take umbrage at your term “flew by.” There is video evidence out on the web (AntiCraft) that you knit faster than the wind, *and without looking!*
Being I’m below the average knitter in speed, I have a feeling that knitting the gorgeous Bohus would take me the next 50 years and giving up full-time work, sleeping and possibly bathing. And even though I’m lousy at numbers (math makes my eyes bleed, don’t ask me why I knit), I do not have that kind of time left to devote to one beautiful sweater.
Of course, you’re welcome to come to I-O-W-A and prove me wrong. Preferably soon.
I love the sweaters. The jacket looks like just the thing for the season, which around here is a good 4 months depending on the dog days faeries.
First time commenter… That Bohus is fantastic! I am definitely going to look into making one of those!
in the pictures you point us to it looks as if the body of the sweater has vertical stripes, but yours looks as if it has horizontal stripes……..did you make a pack of changes to that one as well?
Carolyn in NC
Thank you so much for the ribbing observation! I have long held this view, that beautiful sweaters with ribbing at the bottom are the height of cruelty. I can’t understand why there are so many of them out there!
Why, those are right purdy, missy.
(Excuse the cowboy moment!)
And by the way, that’s a nice looking porch too!
Beautiful sweaters! It is good to finish things, as my mother always told me. I always started things, then lost interest in them. I’ve learned to be more focused over the years. That still hasn’t cured my looooooong list of ufos, though.
By the way, you look really happy in these photos. That’s nice to see.
Take care,
Rosane.
I read in one of your blog entries that you spoke Russian. I saw a knitting symbol in a Russian magazine and I don’t know what it means. It looks like a down arrow with the v of the arrown only on the left side. Please help!
Both sweaters are beautiful, and you look beautiful in both sweaters!!
Finishing stuff is great.
I have been known to bask for days in the glory of a completed object – forcing strangers to look at it, boring colleagues with the details of the challenge. (In truth, every time I finish something I’m reminded of bringing home a tin can covered in macaroni and gold paint and my mom acting as if I’d created a Faberge egg. My mom was, and still is, very convincing.)
Starting a new project is always fun — but finishing makes me feel clever.
Dude! Forget the sweaters (although they are fabulous), YOU look great in the garter stitch jacket photos. And your hair is beautiful, all shiny and behaving. Are you doing something new?
Mohair – I am still skittish about using it ever since I made a purse with it when I was a brand-new knitter. No ripping back for sure. At least I had no worries about dropped stitches going anywhere! The problem is I keep seeing such cute things made with Mohair.
Like Sarah Meow Meow above, I am creeping closer and closer to my first sweater — thanks for the inspiration.
Lovely sweaters. They’re just perfect for the season. It so rarely happens that one finishes a thing in its correct season.
I like to come back to my UFOs. Instead of guilt, I feel a rush of pleasure knowing it’s mostly done. And often I fall in love all over again.
Enjoy your little Vay-Kay!
I am in love with your bohus. I am in heartache because I had a wedding during the class at Webs to learn said technique. I am going to go cry now.
The Fleece Artist jacket is gorgeous. (And your hair looks fabulous in those photos too, by the way.) I’m usually immune to the “I saw it on the internet and I have to have one” virus but I think I might have to order that one. (MS3 doesn’t count as a virus, does it? I mean, it was something in the water. I’m starting clue 4, but there are a few stray socks to finish first . . .)
I remember my second year in law school, when it was all about The Big Memo and The Big Oral Argument, and being so happy when they were over – it didn’t even matter that I still had six exams to take. I’d finished a project!
First thing I did with my newly-found free time? Cast on for a hat.
Congratulations on finishing. And, having seen the Bohus in person, I can tell you it’s gorgeous and gorgeous on you.
I have crippling sweater envy. Crippling.
Such beautiful work! If I get you another Fleece Artist kit, would you reclaim my living room for me?
Both sweaters look wonderful. I just finished up a Ribby Cardi and brought it with me on my visit to Orillia and it is proving to be quite valuable in the cool weather.
I’m going hunting for some Fleece Artist when my friend and I hit Toronto in a few days. 🙂
Given that your finished things look so great, I can understand why you’re into finishing! Congrats on ALL the finished stuff, knitted and not.
Like you, I am currently finishing projects. But I find it somwhat stressful-what will I do when I don’t have 7 UFOs to choose from??? But holding a completed project feels good to…ah the struggle.
Oh, and you do not have bad hair. You have lovely hair. I refer to mine as having an independent spirit. Yours may very well belong to the same tribe!
You mean…I finished MS3 before YOU did??? (i know – i wasn’t writing a book also, but i was just LEARNING how to knit)
I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.
The Bohus is awesome. And it looks great on you.
I’m surprised your girls are begging for one. You’d better keep yours under lock and key if any of them wear the same size you do.
I don’t understand. Did you misplace your shawl, or your living room?
Lovely sweaters.
I had a bought of finishitis last year, and finished five projects in one week. I was a hero at my LYS that week.
At present, I have two sweaters on the needles, and a cabled scarf, all of which I started more than three months ago. On the other hand, the EZ ribwarmer I started day before yesterday will be done by dinner time.
I love your Bohus. Heck, it was uplifting to WATCH you knit it (so to speak; watch you blog about knitting it, I guess). February is dreary here, too.
I’m also in a finishing mood, so much so I’m having trouble thinking about new projects until I clear the deck, more or less.
So, did you order the Wild Apple Bohus yet? Think I’ll be getting it this Fall. DH told me it could be my birthday present but the taxes really needed to be first and they, uh, kinda took Bohus money and then some. Sigh.
The garter stitch jacket looks smashing. I wasn’t so sure about it when you first started, but the finished product definitely changed my mind. Looks like you were having a pretty good hair day as well.
I’m really glad to see, that the bohus got its proper photoshot! It is so beautiful, that it deserves the proper kind of attention! But you treat us with not only one, but two beautiful things in the same post!!! The jacket is realy nifty, and I might just steal the idea of changing needles to do the shaping…
Good luck with your finishing frenzy
LOVE the garter stitch jacket!!!
I’m working on the Lady of the Lake in raspberry and am so loving the yarns. I know what you mean about being on a Fleece Artist bend right now.
Thanks for the heads up on the sleeve stitches. That garter stitch jacket is next up for me. I have a kit in violet and can’t wait to cast on.
Must. wait.
Fabulous photo shoot! I’m still waiting for my perfect colorway in the garter jacket, and then I’m totally on board. Meanwhile, I’m taking Susanna’s Bohus class this weekend and cannot. wait.
Congratulations on alllllll the finishing! I think the hems are a good plan, much less clingy and the waist shaping is always the right answer. The fleece artist sweater looks beautiful and rustic and cosmopolitan all at the same time, how is that possible? 😉
That Bohus is absolutely gorgeous! I covet one. As for your wet hair, I think being in Seattle pretty much explains it. I live in Vancouver and totally recognize the colour of the sky in that first photo!
Finishing projects is a way of celebrating finishing the book. Congratulations on all of it; the sweaters are gorgeous, and I can’t wait to read the book. A side note to your editors: don’t red-pen it too much. We know our Stephanie’s voice and you can’t “improve” it.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see your Bohus in person – it was just stunning!
Did you finish the Kauni sweater? I would love to see photos of it!
Both sweaters are beautiful, and both fit beautifully. I am tempted to try both and, hmmm, there’s some coordinating boucle and mohair yarns in the stash….
I recently purchased the Fleece Artist garter stitch jacket kit at a yarn shop in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia (I’m from the Bay Area in California). I haven’t started it yet and have never worked with mohair. After reading your comments about your sleeve difficulties, I think I’ll work it up in alternate yarns first. I don’t want to waste the mohair. I guess that means I’ll have to go yarn shopping. Oh, well…
Good to see the Bohus en total, finally. You must be so proud wearing it. By the way, you reminded me: I read somewhere (after the blog-spawned debate) that the original Bohus sweaters were knit flat not because doing them in the round was impossible, but because it was more difficult and a sign of high-class quality to seam. Not to worry, yours seems quite classy regardless 🙂
The Fleece Artist jacket is indeed just your colors, and you look perfect in it.
The Bohus is beautiful!!
I’m all for reward yarn. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and get mydaughter ready for school and myself ready for work and the think, “That was hard work, I deserve some reward yarn….” 🙂
This is SUCH an addicting site! Good thing, I’m by myself alot at work ;o) This is the 3rd time today I’ve been reading everyone’s comments. The sweaters are absolutely beautiful!!! One of these years, HOPEFULLY, I’ll be able to create something as good as yours. I was wondering if you ever come to Oklahoma? Yes, I’m an Okie, but I’m not from Muskogee (that’s my sister!). I would love to go and see what other knitters are like! They sound like my kind of people. I don’t know of any knitting shops close to where I live. Anyway, I am going to ask for all of your books for christmas, sorry, I just found you this week and haven’t read any of your books, but they will make great christmas presents for me from my kids! Thanks for having a great site! Nat Alea
I have heard that putting mohair in the freezer makes it easier to unravel. I read it on the internet, so It must be true, right?
oooooh I am looking for a nice pin.. where oh where can one see Kathleen’s other creations??
Quelle coincidence! It was *all your fault* that I got involved in MS3 this summer AND, as fate would have it, it is my mission to finish this week as well 😉 I have about 6 rows left on my second half — doing the symmetrical version (will probably do the double wing version next!), and then have to figure out the whole central pannel and grafting thing. This project has just pushed my lace knitting addiction over the edge :->
I love, Love, LOVE the Bohus! Maybe someday when I don’t already have 15 projects in the queue I can think about doing one!!!
Thanks from me too about the ribbing comment. I couldn’t agree more. Now, as a relative newbie what did you mean by you knitted a hem? I will soon be casting on my first sweater. Yea!
I recently got the finishing bug, too. I finished both my Tulip sweater and even blocked them too. I finished 2 pairs of socks-one lace one laquishing on their needles for a couple of months. I just have the f.pea sweater to go but can’t complete because I am waiting for more yarn to show up in the mail. Glad to see you back,Steph. Guest bloggers are very fun and funny but they can’t take the place of you!!
you have “finish-itis”?! cool.
Totally agree about ribbing, btw..give me a nice rolled stockinette edge or a garter ridge any day.
I’m one of those crazy people who likes finished products better than half way ones. And I love both of these! Good luck on the mystery stole!
Your fleece artist looks way better than to one in the picture on the Colorsong site. I may have to make that.
At the risk of getting a swift smack, I have to say…
Hahahahahahahahha.. finishing things? You, the fickle Harlot?? We shall see how long that lasts. And can we do an audit of your living room – no, the whole house – to see, percentage-wise, how much actually got finished?
I imagine your hair is wet in the 1st picture due to rain in Seattle. I am from Seattle, so I can attest to the fact that it rains there all the time, even if it is “summer.”
Congratulations of finishing so many things! Did the book put you in a mood? Who cares, finished projects are always so much fun!!
Reclaim the living room? Wow. I’m excited when I find a spot on the couch for me or recall what the colour of the dining cloth looks like or the top of my desk. I’m doing better with the desk but that’s because we repainted it and it still has that “newness” i don’t want to ruin.
I love both of your sweaters. thank you.
That photo of Susanna made me smile! What a lovely woman! I was privileged to have taken her Bohus class on Sunday at WEBS and really enjoyed it and her company. I really didn’t completely appreciate what the making a Bohus was all about until I touched and handled her collection and listened to the rich history behind them. Thanks for piquing my interest with your own Bohus making journey and your review of the class you took with her. Love your jacket too!
The Bohus looks FAB! There is a KAL now for Bohus sweaters http://www.bohuskal.blogspot.com. I love that people are getting into them!
Going to try the shaping on the next one I make too. Yours is so flattering!
Oh my god! It’s finishitupitis!! Can I move in with you so I can catch it too and take it home with me and finish all the stuff that’s crowding my dorm?
I was just looking at that Valley tweed yesterday! What color did you get? I was leaning towards the olive, but couldn’t decide.
Your Garter Stitch Jacket looks wonderful and perfect for Autumn. It also looks soooo comfy! I might end up giving that kit a try (though right now I have my eye on the Imogen jacket). I hope you enjoy lots of nice Fall walks in your new jacket.
Thanks for tempting my with that tweed. That olive is calling to me.
The garter stitch jacket is fantastic. The pictures of it whilst it was being knit didn’t do it justice.
Love the sweaters. I was working on my Large Lace Collar Bohus when you came to St. Paul, MN last spring for your book signing tour at The Yarnery. Mine is done too. I Love it and I also changed the bottom ribbing to a two color ribbing that didn’t pull in at all. I loved knitting it too.
Someplace I heard that if you freeze mohair it is easier to pull out. Now I don’t know about the Boucle part although you said that was mohair too. Why not give it a try even though it is too late for the sweater. One more thing to know.
I think I can see a Fleece Artist jag coming my way. Kathryn Thomas of Fleece Artist is going to be at this Friday’s Knit Nite at The Village Yarn and Tea Shop. I fell so hard for their thrummed sock kits at a yarn shop in Sydney, BC that when I couldn’t decided between three different colors, they all came home with me.
And since you brought it up at your talk at the Third Place Books in Seattle, the only reason I wasn’t late for your talk is that, knowing I would get sucked in while trying to pass it anyway, I left early enough to get some quality time at VY&TS beforehand.
Cindy
(she who got interviewed on TV after your talk and only realized afterwards that she had a dpn stuck behind her ear)
Oh my, both sweaters look fabulous on you! You don’t even look like you’ve been stressing about a book.
Why, Stephanie? Why? Why do you have to seduce me to your Bohus-making ways? I know that the tiny gauge would drive me nuts, but they’re so darn pretty, and here you are showing off your gorgeous sweater. Darn you.
Your reward yarn is sooo you; enjoy!!! You must have heard over the internet waves about the MS3 when I wrote about you yesterday! Not so fast!! Because I actually have decided that I need to start the Travel Skirt by Ram Wools and hope to finish it by Sunday!
And then….MS3 :o)
Beautiful! I’m glad that you like them so much! I’m terrified that the sweater I’m working on now will turn out wonky and I won’t be able to bring myself to wear it, even after all that hard work! Here’s hoping! =)
It must be in the air! I have been in a finishing fit recently. And a serious monogamy bend. I mean one project all week? and I have really been at it for a couple weeks now. I will work on a couple rows of MS3 or something “between” projects, but I have been faithful! Glad to know I am not the only one!
Thank you again for signing the extra book for me 🙂
wow, the Bohus is astonishing. I would love to see a picture of the hems at the waist and wrists to get a better idea of what you did.
Congratulations on your well earned vacation!
Gorgeous pix of the sweaters, gorgeous pix of you! You look beautiful in both. That second photo of you in the Bohus could sell a bunch of kits, guaranteed; you look so thrilled with it, and no wonder. And *no* one is going to say the Garter Stitch Jacket isn’t green! 😉
Now I’m resisting the Celtic Cardigan kit. It definitely doesn’t come in my size, and none of the colors available grab me. But, y’know…it’s a sideways V-neck; I’m sure I can find double garter stitch ribbing in *one* of my stitch dictionaries, or a stitch I like even better; I bought some gorgeous Interlacements Boucle Blend II at OFFF, plenty for a cardigan; and I have Sweater Wizard. We can get *inspired* by it! ::mad gleam in her eye::
Congrats on finishing the book!
Lovely sweaters and photos! Considering you just finished writing a book, you look very relaxed. What’s in that coffee cup???
I like your sweaters. Very beautiful 🙂
I didn’t mention it yesterday (you had every right to a parade in honor of finishing the book), but next week is a fresh start. Next Tuesday, in particular. Reward yarn or not.
Oh, they’re beautiful. I had kinda sorta forgotten about the Bohus obsession you instilled in me… so yeah. Thanks. Now it’s back and I need to figure out how to order one again.
Seattle == Rain ! Why would you even wonder? I have never been there when it wasn’t raining. A waiter in one restaurant was talking about the mountain peak not being visible and I said what mountain? He said – they say if you see it, you never leave. I said Well, no danger.
Your sweaters are wonderful. I love them.
The sweaters are gorgeous. You look particularly relaxed and happy in the garter stitch jacket photos.
BTW, a belated, Happy Anniversary!
I’ve been on inflicted with “Finishitis” since summer. Glad to see it’s catchy!
I hope your finishitis is contagious — I need some. I have two sweaters all but finished, but I can’t seem to get myself to sit down and figure out how to sew them together and finish them.
In case you’d like to add some good old-fashioned hilarity to your post-deadline recovery (congratulations on finishing!), take a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNl8MMAr0lM — ramen knitting!
HOW tiny, tiny one?
It’s this damned MFA. When someone above said you have a nice porch I found myself thinking… Well, metaphor can be insidious.
(And what Presbytera said. Tuesday. If I have to cut a polysyllabic class on John Cage to make sure.)
Oooooooo, I love the garter stitch jacket!! I didn’t think I would but I do…I really do. And the Bohus is to die for as well.
The sweater and jacket are beautiful. I can just feel that mohair/boucle and I bet it doesn’t budge once knit. I love love mohair (it does fuzz things a bit), but I’m now most careful (of all yarns) before I start with it. The jacket seems to just float on you, nice shaping. Of course, your figure is might sprightly too.
Your garments are gorgeous!
I like you’re pin. I bought a very similar one at Beehive in Victoria which perfectly matched some Fleece Art yarn that I bought for a stole.
My visit to Lettuce Knit was very cool. I can see why you like the store. What a fun, vibrant neighbourhood, too.
All the best.
Wow, I’m so impressed. These are both beautiful. I agree about the ribbing thing–whose idea was THAT?
Um, so, finally, after knitting for six months and doing socks and more socks and loving them, I have screwed up all of my courage and cast on a sweater. TADA!
Thanks, as always, for the inspiration.
Barb
PS: It’s still 93 degrees here in Texas, but our leaves are turning brown and dropping off the trees so we suspect that it’s about time for fall, too.
Love, love, love the garter stitch sweater. I wonder if I could figure out non-wool yarn substitutes… (Don’t weep – I have the allergy test to prove it. And I live in central Florida, if I knit in wool I’d have about 5 days to wear it in.)
Your sweaters are both gorgeous! I can understand about the fleece artist thing. I only have one skein of the sock yarn, it’s hard to come by around here! Good luck with your living room:)
I hope you are planning to use the photo of you in the Garter Stitch jacket for the cover of your new book. Not that you don’t always look great, but that is an especially lovely shot — you look so relaxed and happy, which is probably how you feel now that the book is done!
Love the Bohus!!! The sunrise effect is gorgeous!!!!!
Matches your hair!!!
Well, you make a good model! The sweaters are beautiful. With all of this finishing, it makes me want to run something by you…I have the opposite of a stash problem. I have a sweater problem. I just got out my fall clothes from the attic, and with all the sweaters I’ve knit over the summer, I can’t fit them all in my closet! What do I do? I don’t want to get rid of any of them. I teach knitting, and must always have something on the needles; I knit socks, and sweaters for charity, and I try really hard not to look at knitting books and magazines and to ignore what is pictured on your blog (I just finished the Rogue sweater, thank you very much!) but I know that any day now I will go buy more sweater yarn. What do you DO with all of those sweaters? Do you find your finished products piling up? Help! (not really, it’s not like I’m going to stop…)
And I have to chime in that Stephanie was very gracious about letting me peek at the inside of the bohus so I could see what the knitting looked like on the wrong side. It was as pretty as the right side!
Question…did your tour coordinator get her prize “Summer Love” socks?? I missed a few entries and don’t know if you mentioned it.
🙂
Now, aren’t you glad that we wouldn’t let you leave poor Bohus on the floor at the book launch in NYC?
Is finishitis contagious? I could use a case of it. I have 2 fingering-weight sweaters in progress right now…
Is it possible that you’ve gotten more popular while I’ve been gone? The bohus is gorgeous and I LOVE the Fleece Artist jacket. I may have to add one of those to my wish list.
Harlotty colorway for the garter stitch jacket! Looks like you can blend in with the trees when you walk through the park 🙂
Did you ever finish Harry Potter #7?
Yay! I’m glad you’re back. Your sweaters are beautiful, and i am thinking all kinds of crazy thoughts thanks to Ms. That laurie’s guest posts. Sure wish i cd more asily (or easily, if you prefer)find that spiral yoke pattern.
Congratulations on the book completion! I was once told (by a wise professor) to NEVER go back and re-read my mater’s thesis after sitting for the defense and oral exams. It would drive me mad with the things that I would want to fix. So I had it nicely bound and gave my copy to the university library. I’ve never even checked to see if it’s ever been looked at or checked out.
I love the Bohus, and top down, in the round would be a new experience for me. Hope that I can find good hints on-line, so that mine looks as nice as yours. Hate to spend the time and money and have it look so bad that I don’t want to wear it.
Both of those turned out wonderfully. Have fun finishing the MS3; I’m still on clue 2!!!!
The sweaters are beautiful, but more importantly, you look happy and relaxed! I was thinking that as I read, and then someone mentioned it in the comments as well, but I figured I would add my two cents! I am still a bit up on the high from seeing you in Bailey’s Crossroads VA. It was every bit as I had hoped for. And you have the honor of being the first person that I have ever stood in line to meet! Being a “Trekkie”, I have had ample opportunity to do so, but never felt the need till now!
I have your ‘reward yarn’ sitting in my living waiting to be made into a Mommy Snug for my newly preggo sister in a law. 🙂 I love that tweed. It’s beautiful. What color are you getting??? 🙂
I love both sweaters. They are exquisite on you.
Wow – these look wonderful. Congrats on the beautiful finishes. Great job!
Not only is the Bohus heart warming, but this batch of photographs (especially the ones of you) are especially attractive. 🙂
Stephanie, your garter stitch jacket looks beautiful on you! (and I like that you’re in the photos too)!
Once again I have been in the Land of Dumbness because I haven’t seen that pattern before. I love it on you, so now I have to stop and think if I’ll love it on me. Bad case of the wants here. Your courage with cutting off the sleeve made me gasp, I’m not sure what I’d have done in the same situation.
My dear Harlotta – the finishitis of the book the knitting and the tour look good on you, as does the sweater. YAAAY!!!
I love english tweed. I have like five cones. It is at times dangerous to work at Webs.
You’re doing a great job relocating your own stuff… Maybe you can find my beads for my mystery stole, then. I have no freaking clue where they are.
Gansey?
I bet Joe would be happy if you finished his Gansey.
Just sayin’ (winks).
Wanna finish my cap shawl? It doesn’t want me to touch it. I apparently curse at it too much.
Your sweaters are so pretty! I love garter stitch sweaters and such textured yarns make it even better. I finished up my Clopotis (I was just a little behind), and now need to finish up 5 pairs of socks that I have going! Thanks for sharing the great photos!
must. have. guld.
someday, i will be woman enough to do it.
Your jacket came out lovely. I just picked mine up yesterday (Rainforest colourway). I had been eyeing it for a good long while and finally the opportunity presented itself to grab it. I have to retire my poor old Levi’s jacket anyway. I wish you copious amounts of knitting time – you deserve it. Looking forward to your new book.
Alynxia
A wise costuming teacher told me “DONE is BEAUTIFUL!” Say it in many different tones of voice, depending on mood. This post actually _proves_ the statement. Done IS Beautiful!
I am selfishly glad you have finished the book because you are back blogging daily and I missed you. Hadn’t planned to post that but I said it out loud to my husband and he suggested that it was positive feedback worth sharing.
I just wanted you to know, that this time, before clicking on your links, I thought about what happened last time ($$$). I steeled myself. I was prepared.
I clicked quickly. I focused on the picture (s) (and didn’t even notice any ads on the page, or distractions.) I did not surf.
It was hard, but I did not fall.
I’m saving up for Stitches.
p.s. Gorgeous Bohus. Gorgeous.
Ooh, pretty. I’m seriously coveting that garter stitch jacket. (I’m living through other knitters; my wrists hurt too much to even contemplate knitting.)
Also actually guld means yellow. It might also mean gold, Swedish isn’t terribly good. 😀
I agree that your creations are fabulous and you look gorgeous in them!
Still miffed that you will go to Seattle and not come to see us in the UK though …
In the meantime, saw this and thought of you:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7026097.stm
tee hee!
looking forward to the new book, ninax
You know, after reading about your Bohus modifications, it only just occurred to me that I really don’t like waist and wrist ribbing either, and that it can be changed in a pattern. Whoa! Thanks for enabling that revelation for me.
And I’m with you on the mohair. I love it, but hate it because it does not allow mistakes (or changes of mind).
I know the pain of “one way” yarn. I made a poncho a couple of years ago out of some slightly orange fuzzy chunky yarn, never sewed it up and then decided I’d really rather have a chunky scarf out of that yarn. Will it unravel? It will not. I am stuck with two halves of an unfinished poncho that I will never wear.
It sounds like finishitis… but I don’t know that you can claim credit for recently finishing a sweater that you actually finished in Feb. Tho it’s nice to see pictures of the finished product.
You go, girl! The Bohus, again, is beautiful. It seems that it would indeed be the perfect project to fight the winter doldrums. That or something in lace, like the Bee Fields Shawl? I’m debating on whether to get myself a Bohus kit or a subscription to the Year of Lace 2008 (http://www.yearoflace.com/) as a gift to me from me with love next year. Any suggestions?
Thank you for letting us see the Bohus at last, the colours are lovely – that yellow positively glows! Love the GSJ too, it looks very cuddly and cozy and the pin goes with it beautifully.
I’m finishing things too – but mine are all summer tops, I’m so slow! I really must get on with it because I promised my son a “We Call Them Pirates” hat – I’ve had the wool since Easter, but keep putting it off because I’ve never done either two-colour knitting OR knitting in the round – don’t think I would EVER dare to try a Bohus.
PS, you are right, Sarianna is wrong – “guld” does mean “gold” in Swedish (the word for “yellow” is “gul”)
I can’t believe you amputated a sleeve. On purpose. Holy cow. The garter stitch jacket is gorgeous, especially so in your signature forest floor colors. I love, love, love that the closure is done with a pin (and a beautiful pin at that).
Both of those sweaters are fantastic! The Bohus suits you so well, and it’s so pretty I am just about tempted to find one myself (perhaps at Rhinebeck!), and brave the tiny gauge.
Your Fleece Artists sweater is also fabulous, and it was funny that you highlighted the pin because I noticed it and admired it immediately. 🙂
i, too, am obsessing over the lady of the lake jacket. i’m going to vancouver in about a week and am hoping i can buy it there as my yarn-domestic-to-the-country-i-am-visiting vacation purchase.
love the grater stitch jacket…
heh heh. of course i meant GARTER stitch jacket, not grater.
must. get. more. caffeine.
Those sweaters are amazingly beautiful! Glad to see you truly are back, & not to put a damper on your finishitis, but please keep in mind that Christmas is only 82 days away & counting. (Just trying to help you avoid “it” this year!)
The sweaters are gorgeous! I have no idea what kind of coffee you drink, but I’d give my eye teeth to accomplish even half of what you do. I’d love to knit one of the garter stitch jackets, but minus the mohair so a substitute would be necessary. Something to ponder while organizing the stash this next weekend.
They’re both gorgeous! Must get back to my bohus. Fall weather is allegedly coming.
So beautiful, both of them. I really, really want to do the bohus sweater and, trust me, it’s on the list. the very long list. maybe I can try for next winter…or maybe the winter after that… Anyway, you deserve a pat on the back – well done!
I posted about finishitis yesterday too, but your bout of finshitis trumps mine.
The Sunrise effect is stunning on the Bohus and I just love the Fleece Artist jacket. Your first mention of the purchase of the yarn inspired me to try something similar using EZ’s Adult Surprise jacket and some mohair I have.
I dislike traditional ribbing in sweaters, too, and usually find some modification or alternative to it.
Don’t you look adorable?
And goodness, all that finishing? Cute sweaters, I guess cool weather will inspire…
the photo of you smiling in your garter stitch jacket should be on the back flap of your next book. Its a great shot, you look fantastic in it, and the sweater looks like a dream, your colors all the way!
the garter stitch jacket is lovely::what a great shot of you w your cuppa. cheers!
Henry thinks you look in HAWT in both of your sweaters. Really. He said that the colours suit you perfectly and then we talked about how soft the Bohus was when we saw you back in February. Then someone saw me talking to Henry and now I’m in this padded room.
I spent a good 15 minutes with a F.A. Lady of the Lake kit in my hand the other day. I just couldn’t overcome my dislike of mohair in order to buy the kit, even though I adore the sweater.
See, those witchy little needles appeal to me. Dunno why, but they do. I LOVE the Bohus, but would probably need something with colourwork all the way down so that I stayed interested and didn’t abandon it due to the endless miles of stocking stitch. The jacket looks lovely too. What a great fall thing for you! And the button! WOW. Really completes it, doesn’t it.
Okay, I’m going to stop gushing and get back to work now. 😉
K
Must be something in the air, I have a severe case of finishitis too… except for socks, I started a new pair last night.. but I HAD to take my new Knitpicks harmony DPNs for a test run, now didn’t I? (they are LOVELY by the way… beyond lovely.. they might just be the PERFECT DPN!)
Welcome back and congratulations! Your Bohus is a thing of beauty, and the waist shaping and hems are so lovely that you may be tempting me into knitting one.
In fact, everything looks great! The garter jacket is lovely, and I’m sure the MS3 will be stunning.
So wait, you have finishitus? Please send it my way. I need it desperately. And bohus, amazing, I loved watching it come together last year, I was wondering what had happened to it.
Wait a minute, I thought finish-up-itis never visited. It can visit me next.
Love the bohus ,I want one.
Your other sweater,the garter stitch jacket?
Its perfect.Color is wonderful and that nice little shawl pin.
I followed the progress when you knit the bohus.I didnt think that other sweater would be that nice.
I’m happy to see the pin worked for the jacket. Enamel jewelry is one of my hobbies (fiber arts being the other) and I have been experimenting with a few pieces for my own knits. You are one of the few people for whom I have actually made a pin (My mom and grandmum being the other two).
Ooooohhhh, Stephanie — your Fleece Artist garter stitch jacket is just the coolest thing ever! And you look fabulous in it.
I think I may have to get me one of those —
OMG! I bought the same reward yarn from Webs. The thought that yarn that is in my house may have sat next to yarn that will soon be in the Harlot’s Den makes me woozy. Can’t wait to see the finished product! (Especially since I haven’t decided on a pattern yet.)
I was just at a Bohus seminar Sun Sept 30 at WEBS with Susanna. What a lovely Lady she is. And having seen you in August in Burlington, MA my summer was complete. Susanna mentioned seeing you this week. What a treat to see pics of you together. I am sure fun was had by all. Beautiful sweaters…
OK, Steph– you coerced me into MS3– and now you’ve pushed me to finish it! Just cast off tonight. Of course, it needs blocking– must wait for bright light of day– and where on earth will I put it? Hmmm…..
Your sweater is beautiful! It’s clear I need to work harder for more yarn like this!
Ang
Bohus looks amazing and I love the Fleece Artist jacket. I think I may need one of those.
oh,MY. That second sweater up there has just matched up perfectly with my age five definition of “a Magic Forest in Fall”. Curse my lack of yarn fundage and the distance of yarn stores from my house. I wish you many happy hours of leaf-crunchering in that sweater.
I’ll be interested to see what you think about the Garter Stitch jacket after you wash it. As soon as mine hit the water it bloomed and grew and grew… I had to felt it to get it to fit and now it looks like a boiled wool jacket. Nice, but not what I had in mind. There’s a picture on my blog gallery.
Li
I have a GIANT cone of the same yarn in a different color — sort of an oatmeal. I find it rather scratchy. I’ve knitted up a bag for my husband’s pipe with it… but can’t really think of what piece of clothing I could happily make with it. I’ll be delighted to learn what you decide to do with it. I may make him a vest to wear when he is blacksmithing (as wool is far safer around sparks and flame than cotton or linen which is the costume shirt he wears).
Most honorable knitter, I have a question for you. Before I ask though, I totally agree with the whole ugh-to-ribbing thing. I had twins for gosh sakes and one side of my belly still sticks out further than the other 13 you-know-what years later. So my question is, what is you preferred hemming method? Do you pick up purl bumps on the wrong side a la Elizabeth Zimmerman and stocking stitch a hem or do you actually turn it under and hem. Like how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop, the world wants to know (or at least I do.) Thanks!
Honestly, that Bohus has me thinking… Yum! It’s beautiful. I think you look like a model in it. I wanna make one.
The bohus looks GORGEOUS on you, or, rather, you look gorgeous in it. That should be your tour sweater. The gold highlights you very well and, wow, you look young in it! The jacket also turned out quite nicely.
Both of these lovely garments to taunt me and I just took a pay cut to better my career… damn. I should move to Canada just so I can make proper pay for animation. 🙂