Almost Anais.
So, Anais. I finished the back and seamed it up - and it was looking very promising! Then, I added the lace collar part.
um, yeah.
Y'all, I wanted to love it, but it's just not working for me. I think maybe because I made my Anais pretty snug, the lace makes it look sort of ... trashy. Someone who saw this picture on Flickr may have mentioned Elvira. (And while I may have been Elvira for Halloween, I'd rather NOT channel her in my everyday wardrobe.) It's just not working. So, I ripped the lace part out, and took Carolyn's suggestion to add some ribbing around the collar.
Better.
Looks better. But this picture is deceptive - it's just TOO SHORT. Harumph. So, last night, I stayed up WAY too late and ripped out the cast on edge. (Full disclosure: I began by ripping out the cast on edge, and then I ended up taking scissors to the ribbing. There are no pictures because it was very, very scary.)
So now, I'm going to add a couple inches of length. I managed to get all the bottom ribbing off, get it back on the needles, and now I'm knitting downwards. I'm hoping I can finish it this weekend while I am at Maryland Sheep and Wool, YAYAYAYYAAYAYAYAYAYAYAY and also OH BOY.
ooh! I also took some pics of the finished Mingus socks before I sent them to Emily:
Swoon.
I love.
[BSG geekout]
I have also recently come to the conclusion that I pretty much HAVE to go to DragonCon this year because Helo and Lee will be there. OH YES.
I might have to dress up like a viper pilot too. NO LAUGHING.
[/BSG geekout]
Comments (53)
You did the right thing. Preppy trumps trashy.
Posted by alison | May 13, 2008 5:22 PM
I actually loved it with the lace because it was different and artsy as opposed to Elvira trampy. I find the second version kind of dowdy and typical. I think you look adorable "funked" up. ;)
Posted by Liz | May 12, 2008 6:46 PM
You have fantastic skin and armpits!
Posted by Jó¹¢ /> | May 8, 2008 8:06 PM
It looks fantastic over the shirt - great mods!
Posted by Nora | May 8, 2008 5:58 PM
Anais looks so good on you with the ribbed collar. The colour is gorgeous.
Posted by Allison | May 8, 2008 8:28 AM
Wow! First, let me apologize for Paul. I'm sure you deserve it. He did tell me he knew a knitter I should meet. I am zooming into Athens this weekend to hear Erica sing Saturday night and will leave early Sunday. I'd love to meet Sat. afternoon for a drink or something. Tell Paul.
Posted by Jane Prater | May 6, 2008 5:09 PM
MUCH better the second way. I can't decide if the lace is trashy, or just funky. Either way you made the right choice. It looks great now!
Posted by michaela | May 5, 2008 5:49 PM
Hey Carrie!
It was great meeting you at the ravelry party...hope you aren't still a sunburnt schmoo...or schmooburnt!
-Julsey
Posted by Julsey | May 5, 2008 2:17 PM
wish you would of taken pics of the rip in progress..
looks good with the ribbing.
and yes helo and lee are hot!
Posted by jessica | May 4, 2008 10:31 PM
Ooo I like the preppy Anais! I hope you have a great time at MD Sheep & Wool. Say hi on Rav when you get back!
Posted by Jen (Friender) | May 4, 2008 3:45 PM
DragonCon!!! *I* wanna go!!! damn it, it's too far away...
Anais = pretty darn nifty as well. :)
But not as nifty as DragonCon!!! And oh, my, Joss Whedon has a new series coming out? I think I might have to get cable just for that.
Posted by carrie | May 3, 2008 1:33 AM
Love the Anais, looks fantastic.
Posted by Kylie | May 2, 2008 11:12 PM
Love the new and improved Anais.
And can't wait to see you tomorrow! Hooray!
Posted by Sarah | May 2, 2008 6:40 PM
Have fun up there this weekend! Pat a fleece for me!
Posted by CraftyGryphon | May 2, 2008 3:37 PM
YAYAYAYAY MDS&W!!!
Also, Mr. Lug will be meeting Starbuck at Wizard World in Philly. Whee!
Posted by biglug | May 2, 2008 2:58 PM
you definitely made the right choice on anais! it's going to get a lot more use when you like it :)
Posted by gleek | May 2, 2008 11:07 AM
I loved the "too short version" the lace part - not so much!
Have fun in Maryland!
Posted by betsy | May 2, 2008 10:32 AM
Definitely like it with the ribbed collar. Looks so cute over the white button-down. The color is to die for too!
Posted by Rosie | May 2, 2008 10:10 AM
scissors + ribbing = brave dame!
and hi, BSG, love you :)
Posted by brenda in toronto | May 2, 2008 9:55 AM
Aw man, you are a brave woman for ripping out the ribbing from the bottom - go you! I think it looks lovely as a vest.
Y'know, all the ladies love Helo and Lee - they just don't do it for me, somehow. I discussed this in depth with a friend recently... :)
Posted by Elizabeth | May 2, 2008 9:48 AM
I love it with the ribbing! You're so right on with ripping out the lace. Unless you're going to a Motley Crue concert, of course. Then you'd fit right in.
Posted by Marlena | May 2, 2008 9:33 AM
We are seriously considering going to DragonCon this year. Not just for the Lee + Helo goodness. (Well, for me, mainly for the Lee + Helo goodness.)
I like the Anais mods, and you are adorable as always!
Posted by Sarah | May 2, 2008 9:23 AM
I love the changes that you've made. I admire the bold step of taking off the bottom to make it longer. I'm afraid I'll have to do the same on a sweater in almost done with, so that gives me a little more courage to do what is necessary!
Posted by kimberly | May 1, 2008 11:57 PM
I like how the first look is like "party!" and the second is all "business"
or you could get a mullet.
Posted by Meredith | May 1, 2008 10:24 PM
Great fix on the sweater...you're right, it looks way better with the ribbing! =)
Posted by Heather | May 1, 2008 9:45 PM
Oh, ripping out from the cast on edge is a PITA. The first time I tried it, I thought it would unravel, just like if I was unraveling from the top. Uh, no. So, congrats!
And, um, I liked the lace!
Posted by Veronique | May 1, 2008 8:56 PM
The lace was a little revealing. I love the ribbing! (Also, I'm behind on BSG too! Netflix is so awesome that I can't bear to watch tv.)
Posted by Tacha | May 1, 2008 8:05 PM
Cute vestie Anais! How brave of you to take a suggestion from Carolyn...ok, just kidding. She's staying in my room this weekend, so no reality tv moments. Hope to see you this weekend and enjoy a margarita together.
Posted by sil | May 1, 2008 6:41 PM
such a great decision on the collar part. it did look a little racy with the lace. i think i am falling in love with knitted vests. they are so pretty. great work.
Posted by mamie | May 1, 2008 6:06 PM
The looks on your face in those pictures are priceless. And I love the second version...but I can see how it might be a bit short. I want to make a little sweater vest like that....
Posted by Stacey | May 1, 2008 6:03 PM
LOVE the vest. Scared of DragonCon.
Posted by Lara | May 1, 2008 5:50 PM
There's no question, you made the right choice! The new vest is extra cute and much more versatile. Woot!
Posted by Karma | May 1, 2008 5:45 PM
Awww...it's just darling now! Good job saving it--I probably would have hidden it for a while and then been completely unenthusiastic about finishing it off. Good for you!
Posted by Clumsy Knitter | May 1, 2008 5:33 PM
Ohmygosh! Anais is going to be SO CUTE! Smart girl....
Posted by Jen | May 1, 2008 5:02 PM
OH BOY.
Posted by carolyn | May 1, 2008 4:38 PM
I love your redo -- the vest is SO cute!
Posted by Melissa | May 1, 2008 4:36 PM
yay for fellow bsg addicts! you are such a prolific knitter! i love seeing how quickly, and beautifully, your projects turn out. very inspiring. that, and your posts crack me up.
Posted by carissa | May 1, 2008 4:29 PM
Jamie Bamber is so yummy! I saw him at the San Diego Comic-con 2 years ago and when he started to speak and I heard his British accent, I swear my knees turned to jello! I'm a sucker for a hot guy with an accent. An accent even made Balter a little hotter in my eyes. If he just weren't psycho on the show.
And the ribbing was a good call! It looks way better.
Posted by Allison | May 1, 2008 3:31 PM
I think you made the right decision about the collar for Anais! It's super cute now.
Helo! Where are you in BSG now? Did you catch up yet? In the current season Lee has hair like a game show host. Why?
Posted by Maggie | May 1, 2008 2:53 PM
I love the way it turned out--and the idea for the modification is great. I don't know why that pattern is so short, but it is. I added a few inches to mine, and it is still too short.
Posted by Heather | May 1, 2008 2:31 PM
I second the happy accident comment! It looks cute!
Posted by Nichole | May 1, 2008 2:17 PM
Geeks rock!! I actually like it both ways but I can see where the lace might add some reservations. Glad you could make it the way you want it
Posted by Peacock Chic | May 1, 2008 2:03 PM
Well that was a happy accident! I liked it with the lace and didn't see a problem though! Either way its really cute!
Posted by Jenni | May 1, 2008 1:57 PM
I think it was as cute as can be with the short ribbing and crisp white shirt underneath, but I totally understand if it's gonna nag at you unless you lengthen it. Way to go taking scissors to the ribbing, you are brave. Cute socks, she's gonna love em.
Have fun at Sheep and Wool!
Posted by Val | May 1, 2008 1:49 PM
Hmmm... I actually liked the lace and didn't think it was Elvira-y at all. But if you don't like it, you've gotta change it!! Good work. I agree, it needs length. That was quite brave of you, with all the cutting. Photos might have made me faint.
Posted by Katie | May 1, 2008 1:41 PM
I'm working on Anais myself and found that the pattern as written is really short. I've had to add sooooo many rows to get the right length (and I'm short-waisted). The ribbing looks way cuter than the lace insert.
Posted by Melissa` | May 1, 2008 1:37 PM
I also vote YES to the changes you made. It looks a lot better and very cute on you with the little white blouse. Good save!
Posted by terri | May 1, 2008 1:22 PM
JayNe, JAYNE. Why can't I type, or use the preview button?
Posted by Ashley | May 1, 2008 1:16 PM
OMG, and Jaye and Spike, too! I'm staying at your house for this dragon thing.
Posted by Ashley | May 1, 2008 1:16 PM
i think it looks super cute. great color! i think that maybe the lace part was too wide? perhaps if the lace section was a wee bit smaller it would've worked better. anyway, i'll be at MDSW this weekend! look for me, short asian girl! ;)
Posted by mai | May 1, 2008 1:12 PM
Hee--I just love your face in that first picture.
Posted by Ashley | May 1, 2008 1:11 PM
Hm, ok, I have to agree about the lace part - good decision, it looks really cute as a vest. Scary thinking about ripping out the cast on edge though!
Posted by Kim U | May 1, 2008 1:06 PM
After five years' straight attendance at D*Con, of COURSE this is the year Helo's going to be there and I'm not. *pout*
Posted by Kate | May 1, 2008 12:50 PM