christmas knitting done

Posted on annePosted in designing, projects

last evening i laid my christmas knitting needles down for the last time this year (woo-hoo, now i can start something for me).
today i put the final touches on things (such as steaming seams and sewing buttons).
and pulled out yarn for a quick project to knit myself over the next three or four days—i’m keeping a promise i made to reserve some holiday time for knitting anything i want. i picked my project months ago and was looking for a time slot to put it in, so i think this is it.

i’m also going to treat myself cleaning up my work room for a few hours each day—it has evolved into a pigsty over the last six months while i’ve been so busy. full disclosure: it really needs it.

i used to be able to walk around in there (as opposed to using a narrow path through the mess). i used to have my spinning wheel in the middle of the room, and spend hours at spinning and decompressing while listening to a book. seriously, it will be a treat to have this real estate back, and to go through the yarn and books to get things organized. i love this stuff; it’s just too bad i put it off so long.

for today though, we relaxed and spent time with my nephew and his girlfriend diana who arrived last evening and stayed overnight on their way to indiana. in fact, we relaxed so much that i totally forgot to take pictures of the cute couple together. we ate tacos and apple pie for dinner last night and watched movies afterward. it was wonderful. and she likes her new scarf.

this morning we did photo shoots of david’s completed jacket, in the gorgeous robusta yarn from briar rose fibers. i was able to cannibalize a couple of my swatches to finish the collar, but we didn’t get pockets out of the yarn i had available. if chris isn’t totally sick and tired of this project, we’ll work out the yarn for that when the holiday fuss is over.

so, without further ado, i present my husband in his new threads.
i must, once again, express my deepest thanks to my dear friend chris, who offered the beautiful robusta yarn in the perfect pine green colorway for this project. her yarn is completely inspirational to design with, and when i knit it, every stitch just seems to fall into place perfectly.
thank you chris!

(isn’t he handsome??)

i was getting very worried about the jacket being too big as i got closer to finishing it. the size of his socks and sweaters is always a little scary for me. but when i bound off in class last evening, david graciously came out of the office to try it on for everyone in a moment of truth

and pronounced it “good”.
(i swear, that’s all he said)

that’s enough for me, though.
of course, when he asked today if it will be possible to do something about getting pockets, all i said was “yes” (two can play at that game).

it really does look good on him, phew.

here are a few detail shots

i decided on a flat collar joined directly to the neckline to create a notch, rather than try to add a collar stand (which might have been more jacket-like). when it’s buttoned, it looks like a casual shirt neck

when unbuttoned, the fabric is sturdy enough to stand on its own and it’s a lot less fussy. when it’s opened, it makes a self lapel that looks sharp.

i planned the pattern so that there would be a rib along the armhole edge to define that seam

giving it a crisp finish

i worked a slip stitch along all the exposed edges, such as the center front opening

and the little slits at the bottom of the side seams

so that’s it—a heavy warm sweater at david’s request. soon to have pockets, i hope.

of course we couldn’t just call it a day at that point; we had to have a guest model (and one who is much more prone to silly model antics). here he is doing his abercrombie & fitch impersonation

never one to skimp on hamming it up

he provided a little levity to contrast with david’s natural reticence.

and a few sexy pouts and scowls (he thinks).

and finally, the shot to send home to mom and dad

and now, off to knit for fun i go.
tomorrow i’ll share some beautiful gifts i received and some sock progress.

93 thoughts on “christmas knitting done”

  5. Oh wow. David looks fanTASTIC in that jacket. It fits him perfectly! I mean – uh, it fits him ‘good.’ And your nephew looks like he’s lots of fun!! Did they sleep in my 3d story room???? No fair. . . .

  6. It’s a great sweater and the color is perfect on David, it really glows. Congratulations and thanks for sharing the family fun.

    Joyous holidays to you and yours.

  8. David’s sweater is gorgeous, both color and design. And I have to agree with Pixie…his hair is amazing. 🙂

    BTW…I got a spot in TLE’s Spring Fling 2009; I’m excited to be going and also because you’ll be there!

  9. Anne, these pictures are wonderful! Wow….do you know your man or what? David’s a lucky guy..keep telling him that!

  10. i’m not sure i can talk to you now…i’m still knitting…and jealous…(but i’ve got a few bonus hours – unexpected short day tomorrow – and i have just under 8 rows left!)

    david’s sweater is gorgeous – very nice!

  11. Wow. I second Shannon in Oregon. 🙂 The sweater/jacket fits David well – can it be a sleek knitted jacket in chuncky yarn? And it works great for your nephew. (Think he’ll ask for one in black at a futer date? :)) The details are impressive. I really like how the sleek the shoulder/arm cap are even with the textured stitch. I can’t even imagine the maths involved for that trick! Thank you for sharing the sweater journey. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years 🙂

  14. That is one great looking jacket! (Oh, yeah, the guys are pretty good, too.) I can’t knit for my man (it’s snowing right now and he’s out in shorts and a t-shirt — that should tell you why) but I sure would knit something like that for me! Ok, realistically, I probably wouldn’t, but only because most of your patterns are already on my wish list and I’ll never get everything done — or even figure out what to start with. Thanks for a great year of knitting. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next one.

  15. Perfection! What a beautiful sweater. David looks so handsome in it too. As usual you outdid yourself.

    when I grow up, can I be like you?

  18. Anne, the sweater is fantastic! I must admit, my hubs and I are loving David’s dreads. The picture of his hair in a braid over the background of your sweater looks amazing!

  19. It looks like it was made for him – so handsome – both cardigan and husband – and love the collar, and all the details, so perfectly put together – as all your designs are… Happy Holiday time to you all!

  20. I love the jacket. What a success! I would think there will be many keen to knit their own version, including the color.

  25. Wow — finishing on Dec. 23rd. You rock! Pictures are great. (Shakes head….I can just see how once the yarn arrives for the pockets he could fantasize about adding those little leather triangles to the pocket edges…) Merry Christmas!

  26. All that work and planning and all he could say is “good”!?!?!?!?! Well, at least he obviously loves wearing things you make him. All I can make for my husband is socks – he won’t wear sweaters, vests, hats, fingerless gloves, etc. and “already has a scarf” he says. OY!

    He looks gorgeous and so is the jacket. very nice lines on it, too.

  29. David’s jacket looks perfect. The fit is flattering. The color is gorgeous on him. The attention to details adds to the whole and makes me say “wow!”. Incredible knitter skills. Really wow.

  32. David’s jacket is fabulous! Congratulations on such a lovely project. And I can commiserate on the state of your room. Mine is the same but the path is gone. I now have to jump over things to get into the room.

    Merry Christmas!

  33. The sweater came out wonderful! The color is perfect for the design and David. Well done! P.S. – is there going to be a pattern available? 🙂

  34. that jacket is so amazing. the fit is just perfect and the stitch/yarn combo is so great. Very handsome husband, by the way! Merry Christmas!

  35. Absolutely gaw-jus! and so is the sweater!! 😉 REally beautiful. You outdid yourself on this beauty. Will pattern be produced at all? Lovely!

  36. I never doubted that you would get it all finished in time !
    It’s a perfect fit and a perfect colour for David, it suits him so well ! Both of them actually 🙂
    Have a wonderful and RELAXED Christmas !

  37. Dear anne, the jacket looks great on both !!

    I wish you a happy christmas time !

    Jessica

    P.S.: Your work room looks great !!

  38. Handsome? Try hot as hell!
    That’s one good looking sweater on your good looking man.
    I’ve saved the post so I can show the design to my red-headed cutie. It’s exactly hid type of sweater.
    Merry Christmas

  40. OMG – what a gorgeous sweater. Yes Hubby is gorgeous and he’s such a great sport. I love friend and his funny poses, too. Looks like both of them should be professional knitwear models. Of course, they’re showing off your amazing knitwear, so I’m sure that has something to do with it. Happy holidays!

  43. Love the contrast between “the cool” and “the clown”! LOL The jacket came out gorgeous and everyone seems to be having much fun with this modeling session!

    Have a great holiday!

  45. I know he’ll wear the poor thing to death – it is just that “good”. 😀

    Happy holidays to you and your David.

  47. The sweater turned out really nice and David looked really good in it. I wish I can say the same about my current project. I like the pictures with your nephew. He is so cute!!!

  48. David looks absolutely wonderful in the jacket, and you did a fabulous job, as usual. Love your website!!!

  49. Beautiful work! The sweater looks like it is a dream to wear, full of texture, color, and comfort. Really nice!

    Merry Christmas

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