Saturday, December 02, 2006

Rambling Rose

I finished my Rambling Rose couple weeks ago but I was only able to get a decent photo on Saturday when the skies were clear enough during the few hours in the morning.

I simply adore this design, everything seems to be right ( or acceptable) ,the magenta color, the buttons and the ribbon and the fit as well. ;) Do you remember that I was afraid about it been too loose in the underarm and bust areas? After attaching the sleeves , it wasn't an issue at all, it fits just right. The bottom part looks to be snuggly but it's all ribbing and I purposely knitted it with a tighter tension. As you shall agree, it's very unpleasant to have a loosen ribbing after a few wearing.


Last weekend while I was visiting a new mall , I found a small boutique selling very unique purses. To my excitement, I saw a lovely purse that was just the perfect companion for Rambling Rose. The price tag was a bit high for such a small purse, so I put it back to the display hanger. I found it so tempting and picked it up couple more times. Soon, I fell into the saleslady words when she told me it was the last one. :D I normally avoid to buy accessories that are not in neutral shades and that are hard to match with the rest of my wardrobe. But this one had to come home with me... The fabric is silk with velour , the black center button and the side rings are made of onyx and the straps are leather.

Pattern: Rambling Rose from Rowan 39

Yarn : Kid Sport 100% cotton ( Italy), used 8 balls

Needles: Japanese 2 ( 2.7mm) for the ribbing and size 3 ( 2.9 mm) for the body

Modifications: I resized the sleeves, somehow my sleeves came out too long on the arch area when I followed the directions from the pattern. I also casted on less sts for a snugger fit and knitted longer sleeves than in the pattern. Though I wished for a 3/4 length, I didn't have enough yarn. Only a small tread of yarn was left for this project. I also had to split the yarn in order to sew the buttons. The length from the armhole to the shoulder in my cardi is not as long as in the pattern. As a result, I was only able to have 5 roses instead of the 6 in the patterns.

This was a great project for me as I was able to follow an English pattern and it was fun to match the buttons and the ribbon. And last, found the matching purse. ;) Though, I don't enjoy knitting the same pattern twice, I'll make exception for this design. I plan to knit another one using thin wool yarn and with long sleeves or 3/4 length. If only I didn't have so many other things to knit, it would be next on my list!

I am so excited with this top that I added one more photo. Hope you are not tired of it! :D This top is so versatile, it goes well with jeans for a relaxed look or paired with a black skirt and high heels for an evening occasion. Now, I have a complete outfit to wear to a party, perhaps Christmas evening? ;)

I want to thank you all for the lovely comments and the great support on my first shawl! Therefore, my second one was soon in line. Though, this is not a lacy style, it's a practical one for the winterly days ahead. There is a fur trim going around that practically makes the style of the shawl.
Last week, I signed up for a membership at a LYS to learn new techniques and improve my knitting skills. It's about 30 minutes drive, kind far away from where I live. There are other LYS around here but I wasn't very impressed with their knits.

I started this Entrelac ( or Domino) technique that I wanted to learn from a long time ago. I started this hat since it's a smaller project. I am using this Japanese yarn that I believe it's a combination of wool, mohair, acrylic(?). The range of shades is incredible, just simple plain sts will make the work beautiful. This is going to be my first hat, and I believe I'll soon have my first gloves and Joy, perhaps.... socks as well? ;)

16 comments:

opportunityknits said...

The rose cardi colour is so beautiful, especially when worn with black. I like many FO photos and I love how you have put together the entire outfit in the last photo, I think you can go out for a glamourous night of dancing. Fur is so 'in' this winter, so I can't wait to see how the furry edging looks like on the shawl. The hat's in lovely colours - I have that magazine too!

Anonymous said...

Rambling Rose looks fantastic and the entire outfit is just so elegant! I have that Japanese pattern book with the entrelac hat too, somehow, I just couldn't figure out how to knit that hat.

Andrea said...

I have to visit Japan real soon...I absolutely love that yarn. The sweater is beautiful...what a great outfit. I have to order that Japanese pattern book. Does the hat have matching gloves?

Agnes said...

Yours is the second Rambling Rose FO I've seen ... and yes, this is a lovely design. You have made a very beautiful set of outfit too.

Celia said...

Rambling Rose looks so delicate. And that is an elegant outfit for a party. The purse matches so well, it is a great find! Love the Entrelac, the yarn is a perfect candidate for the technique. The colors are so beautiful.

Jan said...

What lovely projects you have been finishing. Rambling Rose is very dainty. She looks good with velvet or jeans. I can't wait to see how the shawl and the hat turn out!

handknit168 said...

Oh, the Rambling Rose is wonderful and it really watches the colour. I can't wait to see your second Rambling Rose, what colour it is ?

Anonymous said...

Wow, a whole bunch of firsts! ;-)
Rambling Rose is really gorgeous in that color, and I love the entire outfit with the skirt. The shawl would go perfectly with that too!

Vivian said...

Wow...it's so pretty and it fitted you very well. Great job.

Laura.Y said...

Another lovely knit! The combo is so elegant with the bag and skirt.

Tcknit said...

I like your Rambling Rose, it looks amazing on you. It is the perfect outfit for X'mas party! Love the yarn you are using for the Entrelac hat, can't wait to see the FO. What yarn is it, can you get it in the US?

Peggy said...

It's soooooooo pretty! I love the rose details!
The interlac is coming along well... I have in my stash the Lady E project... want to start it now!

Unknown said...

It's so weird. For some reason you new post is not showing up on my bloglines...anyways, love your ramblign rose Mimi. It's gorgeous!! I wish I can put down all my winter project and start on this :)

Maryann said...

Rambling Rose is absolutely gorgeous and very elegant!!! BTW, your recent posts didn't show up on my bloglines too...

NostalgicKnot said...

All the stuff you knit are just gorgeous. oOps... I just ran out of flattering words lol...

shanwen said...

Wow, you have the whole outfit ready to go ! Love rambling rose! :)Great work