the blue blog archives: just like starting over

Back on track with the cardi raye. I ripped back to the beginning of the blue stripes (and have sparkle threads all over my sofa to prove it!) and first added several more rows of the green color to lengthen the cardi. I was concerned that the cardi would end up being too cropped for my tastes and since I was already ripping.... Then I restarted the stripes sans sparkle shit. Although I miss the variegated color effect, I love that the yarn is all uniform and the fabric is soft and drapey (instead of stiff where the sparkles were). Still, I can hear Chandra, Emma, Jenn and others' wise advice that I should live with the sparkles for a bit and give them a chance to grow on me. I'm not 100% sure that the cardi will stay this way. I suspect that too many stripes in flat colors will make the sweater less striking or throw off the color combination somehow, so you may see me back with sparkles at some point after all, ladies!

Why did I have to start with the back? I couldn't have started with a nice small sleeve. Ooooh, noooo.

posted by alison at 8:30 am | in cardi raye

Comments

this looks really lovely! ooh! i want one!

Posted by: shobhana at March 25, 2004 8:50 AM

That looks gorgeous, I do prefer it without the sparkles I think. You've made loads of progress in such a short amount of time!

Posted by: kerrie at March 25, 2004 9:00 AM

Well, I did have one day more than the rest of you, right Kerrie? ;0) (Silly me, I got all confused on the day today and first posted this entry as Friday!)

Posted by: alison at March 25, 2004 9:35 AM

I really like the color you substituted for the green--it goes so well. And hey, I'm with you on that sparklie shit. :) Althought I agree, not using it does throw off the colors a bit. I'm not too excited about the purple and blue sections--they seem off and perhaps it's due to the lack o sparkle. But, perhaps that (slight) color clash is better than sparkle anyway. Sparkle would launch the sweater into the realm of "possibly more than casual" and I don't do dressy much these days. boo hoo

Posted by: Leigh at March 25, 2004 10:21 AM

I like your Cardie Raye. I have finished the back of my spring fling sweater. Now onto the front and then the sleeves. I am already planning my next spring fling sweater.

Posted by: Suzanne at March 25, 2004 12:01 PM

OK, I love your fluffy spring green tank! I may have to do some yarn shopping today . . .

I like the green plaisance in your Cardi Raye too--the tweedy effect looks cool against the blues, and I think adds enough interest to counteract the sparkle-free-ness. This is my favorite thing about knit-alongs--everyone has different good ideas about how to make each pattern better.

Posted by: chandra at March 25, 2004 1:37 PM

I hope you like it without the sparkles. If you decide you want them back and have to rip again, I fear you will never finish. ;)

I dig your green Plaisance. It's a great substitution for the Kiwi.

Posted by: Jenn at March 25, 2004 2:06 PM

Oh no, Jenn, no jinxing me. ;0) I WILL finish this project.

Posted by: alison at March 25, 2004 3:02 PM

The Plaisance in piscine is looking wonderful in the cardi raye! I agree that doing without the sparkle shit does take away from the overall effect, but it still looks pretty. If you reconsider, however, think this: it's only a few rows of sparkle shit, not big blocks of it. Scratchiness factor will be low :-)

Posted by: Becky at March 26, 2004 1:25 AM