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december 30, 2005
shrugorama Here it is, my Knitorama accidental project.
I was really diggin' the funky shrug in the Knitorama book that is made with sampler squares all sewn together into a big rectangle. But Lord knows I'm not ever going to knit sampler squares! Large rectangles of stockinette, however, I can do. In fact, I have done it: in my melvilla poncho. I actually rediscovered my poncho when I was pulling the Christmas decorations out of the back of the hall closet earlier this month and have been admiring the poor neglected thing for some weeks now. I mean the colors are so fun and the Manos much too nice to merely decorate the closet. But the whole thing didn't end up being very wearable. It wasn't really warm enough to wear as outerwear on a cold day, but there was way too much fabric for me to just wear it to keep me warm at night while knitting. All I needed was a brilliant idea of how to rework it so it would be more functional. Enter the funky shrug. On Christmas Eve, I pulled out the poncho, took some measurements and realized that the two rectangles of the poncho could be resewn together to make one long rectangle approximately the size of the Knitorama shrug. So, I took apart all the seams, then reseamed it and stitched together armholes. I nixed the buttons, as my shrug doesn't have the exact same proportions as the pattern calls for and would be too constricting if it was closed (picture Tyrannosaurus Rex arms and you'll get the idea). But even without the buttons, it stays on just as well as any shawl would. And check out how those blue stripes came together in the back.
I freaking love it and have been wearing it since Christmas! posted by alison at 9:11 am | in
holiday cheer
Comments
I LOVE it!!! Posted by: Scout at December 30, 2005 9:34 AMVery nice! Does it stay on your shoulders pretty well or do you have to keep fussin' with it? Posted by: Nancy J at December 30, 2005 9:43 AMFantastic. As you say, perfect for keeping warm while knitting in the evenings. VERY clever recycling. Posted by: Ruth at December 30, 2005 9:58 AMWonderful! You have that "I love it" look in your eyes too...cute! Posted by: Roxanne at December 30, 2005 10:12 AMAlison, I am continually amazed at you ingenuity! Youare just amazing to me. Everything you make ends up being so beautiful!!!! I wanna grow up to be just like you (grow up in a knitting sense of course). Posted by: knittingnurse at December 30, 2005 10:22 AMAren't you resourceful! I love repurposing things with good materials. Nice save. Posted by: Julia at December 30, 2005 11:27 AMClever idea -- I think you have "unvented" a new thing there. The color is beautiful, and it looks so comfortably wearable (unlike the original, IMO). Good job! Posted by: KarenK at December 30, 2005 11:41 AMVery cool. Posted by: Rachel H at December 30, 2005 11:42 AMOnce again, you've outdone yourself! I'm constantly amazed at the things you make -- gorgeous! I love the style and color! How resourceful! It's lovely and looks great on you. HNY! Posted by: Margot at December 30, 2005 11:58 AMI love it, and the fact that you refashioned beautiful yarn already knitted (without having to reknit it) is pure genuis! Posted by: Bliss at December 30, 2005 12:36 PMI can't decide which is more amazing -- the cool shrug and the clever way you created it, or the fact that on Christmas Eve, you were fashioning knitwear while some people (who shall remain nameless) were wrapping gifts and perhaps cursing just a little bit. (It looks great, by the way.) Posted by: Erica at December 30, 2005 12:54 PMOh Wow! That's absolutely gorgeous! Posted by: Elemmaciltur at December 30, 2005 1:11 PMThat's a beautiful shrug you have there. :) And the art deco color-changes are in right now. Posted by: Colleen at December 30, 2005 2:24 PMDelightful! You are so inventive, I never would have thought of that! You never cease to amaze... Happy New Year! :-) Posted by: Darcy at December 30, 2005 2:38 PMThat looks so comfy! Amanda Posted by: Amanda at December 30, 2005 2:42 PMHow creative! I love it!!! Posted by: Shara at December 30, 2005 3:29 PMThat is really something! It's great! Posted by: Gina at December 30, 2005 3:33 PMI especially the back. So clever! Posted by: KnitSox at December 30, 2005 3:43 PMThis post totally puts me in mind of the "Alterknits" book! I am so impressed by the simple brilliance of your re-imagining of the poncho. It just goes to show, we are never NEVER "stuck" with our knits. Well played, Alison. You have strong knit-fu. :) Posted by: Gina at December 30, 2005 10:34 PMWell done Alison! You're the EZ of the 21st century :) What a great job of recycling a knit into a better knitted item for you! I love the creativitiy! Posted by: Wanda at January 1, 2006 2:24 PMI really like the poncho. It looks comfy! Posted by: Latoya at January 3, 2006 9:34 AMI really like the poncho. It looks comfy! Posted by: Latoya at January 3, 2006 9:34 AM |
