the blue blog archives: more on jess

Jess is a beautiful design. It's stylish and still classic (I can see myself wearing a sweater like this long after I've had to retire all my cropped and bell-sleeved sweaters from the last few seasons!). And the cotton angora yarn was wonderful to work with (although the fluff up my nose was a little annoying). But I'm a little worried about how it will wear. I've heard tales of pilling and shedding and when I wetted it for blocking, I ended up with little green fuzz bunnies on my hands. Hmmmm....

Wear may not end up being a serious issue though since mom's not sure how much she'll actually put in on. You see, she's a little concerned that it isn't very flattering on her. I think it's a great shape for us gals with a little more downstairs than up (if you know what I mean): the curved edges of the front panels break up the horizontal line of wider hips and the oversized, open collar and deep raglan sleeves help broaden the torso so it balances out the bottom. Still mom's not convinced. She's keeping the sweater however. She has a few things that I've knit for her that she won't wear (like this hat and mitten set), but she won't give them up either. I have conflicting feelings about this. You kinda knit things so they can be worn and it's a shame that no one is wearing them. But then again, I know that she loves keeping them because they are beautiful and I made them for her. Oh well, I still enjoy knitting for her (there have been some big successes like the nyc shrug that I made this summer) and will keep searching for that perfect pattern.

Anyway, mom agrees that jess is the coziest thing ever. I liked trying hers on so much that I'm planning to start a jess for me with some DB Cashmerino Aran that I received as a Christmas gift last year as my first project in the new year.

posted by alison at 3:45 pm | in jesses

Comments

ok, wait a minute...jess is spectacular...and i'm sure your mother is just being a tad insecure (sorry mom). it would be a crime not to wear this creation. what will it take to get her to wear it? can it be modified to her liking? it sure looks great on you....

Posted by: lisa b at December 27, 2004 4:29 PM

Gosh, your Jess looks great. If your mom won't wear it, you should, because it looks superb on you!

Posted by: Lisa D. at December 27, 2004 4:38 PM

I worry about choosing the right pattern (and the right color!) for just this reason. I frequently find myself rejecting clothes much before they're worn out or out of fashion because I've just realized that they're not flattering. (Stacey and Clinton - this is all your fault!) I love the process of knitting and don't mind too much giving away what doesn't work...ok, who believed that? I want it to fit and look fabulous! Are there any shortcuts, or can I expect to put in ten years of dues first?

Posted by: Szarka at December 27, 2004 5:03 PM

Jess looks great. I'm glad to hear you're making one for yourself too. Knitting for others is such a loaded thing... I've reached a point where I'm pretty much only knitting for babies and my husband, with the occasional socks for a friend. My mother loves and appreciates everything I've knit her, but as far as I know she doesn't wear any of it. Ditto for my brother and the sweater that took me 3,000 years and a barnload of Peace Fleece to finish.

Posted by: Cari at December 27, 2004 5:07 PM

The sweater looks beautiful, it is quite side that your mom doesn't like it. I'm glad that you liked the cotton angora yarn as I HATED working with it. Not only did I get the tufts up my nose as you did, but all over every surface nearby. I also wasn't wild about the way the sweater came out, which may also negatively influence my opinion.

Posted by: Jenna at December 27, 2004 5:35 PM

Your Jess turned out beautifully and I agree with the others--it looks great on you. It shows better on you than in the photo in the pattern book. I'm inspired to make it now...

Posted by: Nan at December 28, 2004 7:24 AM

When I read how your Mom reacted to your knitted gifts, it made me smile. I feel the same reaction when my now adult child gives me something that he's made. It is precious, too precious to "use up". It makes no difference whether the pattern is "right" for her and it is something she'd buy. It is precious b/c your golden hands made it. Sounds so corny that your teeth hurt, doesn' it. But it is true. It is the most special thing - too special to wear, but perfect to admire and reflect upon how smart and talented and capable you have become. I "know" your mother - in time, I have become her too!

Posted by: Pubah at December 28, 2004 8:43 AM

Jess is classic yet has some flair (via the collar and the slanting front edges). I think once your mom wears the oh so comfy looking sweater a few times, she'll wonder why she ever doubted weariog it!

Posted by: leslie at December 28, 2004 9:07 AM