Gratuitous Koigu Porn and Tragic Knitting News

I'm about half-way through the first sock in the BRIGHTEST BLUE sock pair I've ever attempted to knit. Again, this photo doesn't do it justice in terms of how bright it is. You really have to see it in person.

Most of that sock, with the exception of about an inch-and-a-half of ribbing was knit last night at the coffee shop. I was anxious about work issues and when I feel that way, I turn to my trusty sock projects. I can actually feel it work it's magic as I knit.

Scary!

On a completely unrelated note, I was SO hoping to be able to make the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival this weekend, but sadly, it looks like I'm not going to be able to swing it. I've never been to a S&W and thought this would be a good intro. Also, I was looking forward to hanging out with my old college roommate who lives in the area. Oh well.

My only S&W possibility seems to be the Massachusettes S&W. I may be able to make that one if I can work a visit with some old friends into the trip. We'll see.

Now, for my Tragic Knitting News:

It turns out that, after seaming the shoulders and pinning the sides of the Manos vest, I must rip the whole thing out.

Here's why:

1. The entire thing looks like the core of a sweater pattern, minus the sleeves. It really doesn't seem like it was designed to be a vest.

2. There is no shoulder shaping. It's more like a boatneck deal.

3. There is no armhole shaping (the kind I was expecting for a vest, anyway).

4. There is no neck shaping (It seems to just be a boatneck deal with a divided front).

This fourth point was the biggest bone I felt I had to pick. You see, in the picture, the neckline is somewhat hidden under the collar of the undershirt. So, I assumed there was some sort of neck shaping to the whole thing. I only discovered there wasn't after I knit it up.

The last point,

5. A single row of crochet edging just doesn't do it for me in terms of making the vest look finished.

Like I said, the whole thing looks like the body of a sweater waiting for it's sleeves.

I think any positive comments received are mainly a reaction to the gorgeous Manos colourway, but if you really look at it, I think you'll see my point.

Now, in all fairness to the designer, I am no expert when it comes to pattern-making or finishing or garment construction. And, the vest looks great in the picture. So, it could be me. Maybe I chose the wrong size. Maybe my skills just weren't up-to-par when it came to finishing. Either way, though, I'll be ripping it out.

In any case, I'm now looking for something more along the lines of a nice jacket for the Manos. I may even design it myself. The other option is to rework the vest and add the armhole and shoulder shaping and rework the neckline. I'm just not sure if I love vests enough to really bother. I'm thinking a jacket/cardigan type of thing might be better. I'd like something I can throw on when it gets chilly. Something I wear often and not necessarily part of an outfit.

So, back to the drawing board!

Oh, and I totally plan to adopt Colleen's method of sketching out a schematic and really thinking about the final product before committing to the pattern/project.

(And thank you Colleen, for coining the phrase Koigu Porn. I shall use it liberally and often...hehe).