I finished Astoria.
If I hadn't flubbed the sleeves, the first go around, I probably could have finished this baby in a week.
Most setbacks slow my momentum substantially, and this was no exception, but since this piece is one of those ubiquitous top-down raglans, there was no reason not to finish it up. Almost all the work was already done, and having tried it on, I was sure it was a design I'd enjoy wearing.
The finished piece looks just like I hoped. The body darts allowed me to get a good custom fit and I think the wave motif pops nicely against the deep gray and purple.
And for all of you voyeurs, here's a look at the garments naughty bits.
I ended up with plenty of leftover yarn, after the piece was done. I could have made the sleeves much longer but I didn't think it would look right with the length of the garment. Like Goldilocks would say, this seemed "juuuuuust right."
For those who might ask, and several of you have already, I'm not sure if I'll offer a pattern. Right now, I'm just happy to have a deadline associated with this. We'll see. It's simple enough that it might be worth it to write something up.
On an, arguably, unrelated note, you see those jeans up there? I like them. They fit me well. You see how, in that top left shot, they sit on my hips, near the hem of Astoria? Those are considered a high waisted cut. Can you believe that? When did our waistlines get so low that 3 inches below my belly button is high waisted? Or is my torso so freakishly long that there isn't a mom-pant alive that can pass my hip bone? Let me tell you though, it's nice to wear a pair of pants that doesn't threaten to show the world my knees from a bird's eye view. You know?
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Comments (32)
Wow. Well, add me to the list of people who would absolutely love the pattern to this - it's a great fit and a great style, and I love the sleeve length. Well done.
Posted by Toomskt | December 29, 2007 9:44 AM
Posted on December 29, 2007 09:44
Wow. Well, add me to the list of people who would absolutely love the pattern to this - it's a great fit and a great style, and I love the sleeve length. Well done.
Posted by Toomskt | December 29, 2007 9:43 AM
Posted on December 29, 2007 09:43
Bravo! Astoria is a beauty! Fab jeans, too, BTW. My thighs haven't seen jeans in at least a year, so they are envious...yet so not cute jean worthy at this particular moment in time (sorry, thighs, but you know I'm right). I'm with J- publish!
Posted by Nonnahs | December 24, 2007 12:49 PM
Posted on December 24, 2007 12:49
So funny - before I even got to your comments on the jeans, I was going to say that they look great on you - perfect! And I second the whole low-slung thing. I have no need to show the world my skivvy's. Britney Spears should not be our fashion icon.
I freakin' love Astoria. It's one of my favorite Marnie designs yet. I think you're going to have to publish it eventually. It will make you a small fortune if you do.
xox, J
Posted by Julia | December 23, 2007 5:41 AM
Posted on December 23, 2007 05:41
Marnie, I agree, Astoria turned out just right! Thanks for the suggestion to get a copy of Knitting From the Top; I do have it and I used it a few months ago when I was modifying a Rusted Root to have a neckline a bit more like Astoria's! It turned out a great success and is probably my favorite knit so far. Thanks for this blog, you are always so inspiring!
Posted by Karma | December 22, 2007 8:55 AM
Posted on December 22, 2007 08:55
Astoria looks AMAZING. I hope you do write up the pattern...
Posted by Hanna | December 22, 2007 7:40 AM
Posted on December 22, 2007 07:40
I LOVE it! That is a lovely design and extremely flattering.
Posted by Margo | December 21, 2007 4:27 PM
Posted on December 21, 2007 16:27
I think it looks just fantastic. The color and the fit are great, and I love the wave motif...
Posted by --Deb | December 21, 2007 12:45 PM
Posted on December 21, 2007 12:45
I totally dig the sweater, AND the jeans (I wear the same style most of the time, wide leg = happy
And I LOVE the motif. Great job :)
Posted by Amber | December 21, 2007 12:24 PM
Posted on December 21, 2007 12:24
Very nice! Another great pattern and it fits great! I'm sure you will wear it a ton :-)
Posted by disentangled | December 21, 2007 10:06 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 10:06
Astoria is BEAUTIFUL! I love how the wave pops!
I have the same issue with jeans. I don't understand the current waist fit either. I have long legs and a long torso. I find that I have to search for "high" waisted and "long" so that it can bend over without fear and not look like I'm headed for high-waters. I didn't think wanting your pants to fall below your belly button was such a complicated issue. Men have it sooo easy!
Posted by Alicia | December 21, 2007 9:30 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 09:30
Gorgeous sweater and love the pants (are you willing to give up the style name and brand?)I too have the same issue with low-waisted pants...I love those that come up to my belly-button (I have a waist to hip ratio of .68 and have never thought the low-waisted pants flattered anyone who has a post-pubescent body.)
Panda's story was wonderful too!
Posted by zoey | December 21, 2007 9:22 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 09:22
Oh, I love this sweater so much. I'd love a pattern. Pleeeeease? Pretty please with Panda on top?
Pattern begging aside, this is a beautiful knit and it looks just gorgeous on you.
(I'm behind on my blog posts, so also: Happy Birthday, Panda!!!)
Posted by alyson | December 21, 2007 9:03 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 09:03
Wow - just, wow. The fit on the sweater is so flattering, and I know it's by design which is more remarkable to me.
I was thrift store shopping (for sweaters to deconstruct for the yarn) and saw a "fair-isle" sweater that I thought was put back on the hanger inside out. But...the label was indeed inside - the designer wanted the back side of the fair-isle on the outside. Your naught bits could be a design feature!
Happy Birthday to Panda!
Posted by yogahz | December 21, 2007 8:58 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 08:58
Wow - just, wow. The fit on the sweater is so flattering, and I know it's by design which is more remarkable to me.
I was thrift store shopping (for sweaters to deconstruct for the yarn) and saw a "fair-isle" sweater that I thought was put back on the hanger inside out. But...the label was indeed inside - the designer wanted the back side of the fair-isle on the outside. Your naught bits could be a design feature!
Happy Birthday to Panda!
Posted by yogahz | December 21, 2007 8:57 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 08:57
Lovely! I really like the wave motif too.
Posted by Janice in GA | December 21, 2007 8:13 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 08:13
Great looking sweater! The color combo is excellent! Keep us posted if you decide to offer this one. I think that I could get some mileage out of it myself.
We don't talk about jeans anymore. I must be a reaaly old person, becasue I like my jeans to be at my real waist and not on my hips. Those were hip huggers in my day. Regardless, those look great on you!
Hugs and Kisses to the gals too!
Posted by Lisa | December 21, 2007 7:48 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 07:48
Several things:
First, happy birthday to Ms. Panda! She sounds like just my kind of dog: relaxed, happy, and mellow.
Second, I love the sweater. The fit is great!
And third, I'm glad you mentioned those jeans, because I noticed them right away. They're so cute! Do you mind if I ask where you purchased them?
Posted by mick | December 21, 2007 7:40 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 07:40
Cute pants (and doggies), and gorgeous sweater!
Posted by Carishma Gokhale-Welch | December 21, 2007 7:34 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 07:34
Cute pants (and doggies), and goregeous sweater!
Posted by Carishma Gokhale-Welch | December 21, 2007 7:33 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 07:33
The sweater looks wonderful - the motif, the colors, the fit.
I know what you mean about jeans. Though I just saw a bunch of super high waisted pants in a magazine the other day - apparently both styles are in right now.
Posted by Kate | December 21, 2007 6:50 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 06:50
Love the sweater, Marnie! It looks great! :)
kisses to Panda and Thea!
Posted by jess | December 21, 2007 6:44 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 06:44
Very pretty (and flattering)! I really like the color combination--well done!
Happy Holidays :)
Posted by Rene' | December 21, 2007 6:42 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 06:42
What a great pattern! I've been waiting to see the finished product since the first time you posted photos of this. I, too, would jump at the chance to purchase this pattern, although I can see how you would want this to remain a one-of-a-kind. Maybe you could offer it as a generic pattern without the wave pattern. Just providing instructions on how and where to substitute a pattern of our choice as well as the great shaping instructions.
Congratulations on your new pattern at Stitch Diva, too. I'm going over there now to jump on that one!
Posted by Rocksolana | December 21, 2007 6:23 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 06:23
Beautfiul! I think this is one of my favorites so far, Marnie. The color combinations are spot on. It is super flattering on you --as are your "high waisted" jeans. Heh. I agree... I have no shape and could never wear low-cut jeans - they just fall right off of me. I like them to fall on the hip or a bit higher. xo Have a merry merry and a great new year!!
Posted by jessica~ | December 21, 2007 6:21 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 06:21
Hey! Just opened e-mail- you're the cover girl for Stitch Diva.
Look just beautiful! Call the folks! :-)
Posted by j | December 21, 2007 5:37 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 05:37
Astoria is absolutely gorgeous. Absolutely, postively!
A great design. What style- that's the sweater that you see and can't take your eyes off of, and wonder if the woman who is wearing it will tell you where she bought it.
I hope you do offer the pattern for sale. (Pretty please) It would be fun to make it in two or three colorways.
The jeans do look great.
I loved all the Panda pictures and the story. So glad you found her to give her her home. She must have been so miserable and sad before. I love the trust and contentment I see in the pictures of her, now. What a change from the pup you brought home!
Posted by j | December 21, 2007 5:28 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 05:28
Gorgeous :) I've been enjoying watching this one develop, and it turned out beautifully. Congratulations Marnie!
Posted by mel | December 21, 2007 4:31 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 04:31
We all at home love this knit piece a lot!
Fits well too! We envied the girls being able to cuddle up to you wearing the knit piece.
Mum read about the high-waist jeans. Hmm... she reckons the low-waist one probably lands on pubic bone then. Er.. what's public bone? Nonetheless, we like the jeans too! Doubt Mum can wear that sort of jeans.. she got rather large buttom. They are huge, we kid you not.
Posted by Ginger aka Beethoven | December 21, 2007 3:58 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 03:58
That is a beautiful design. If you do think about offering it as a pattern, I'd jump on this one. I love the wave motif.
It's pretty crazy that the low-rise pant is so prevalent. Most people that I see wear them, the style is not that flattering on them. I undersand not wearing pants above your belly button, but really every body is not made for low-rise. Plus, I don't want to see anyone's crack. When I can tell you what color underwear you're wearing, I feel like I've violated someone and that (underwear) was just sitting there.
I think those jeans look great on you, high waisted or not.
Posted by Wanda | December 20, 2007 10:41 PM
Posted on December 20, 2007 22:41
And I thought I read that low rise jeans were going out of style. I haven't worn jeans in more than 10 years 'cause they don't make any to fit chunky women with no waists - altho I think Lane Bryant does now. So maybe I'll try them. Astoria is very nice looking & it looks like something that will be worn a lot for years - it just has that comfy, goes with almost everything look.
Posted by Donna | December 20, 2007 9:48 PM
Posted on December 20, 2007 21:48
Astoria is very flattering. I noticed how powerful the use of color can be in enhancing the shape of the garment and flattering the figure. .
Posted by Punkin | December 20, 2007 9:43 PM
Posted on December 20, 2007 21:43