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Friday, September 2, 2011

FO Friday -- Bonfire Edition!

I must say, I have NEVER been so beside-myelf-excited about the completion of a project before.  And here it is.  Ta Da!
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It really is pretty.  And when I picked the pattern up almost a year (!) ago, I knew I was in a little bit over my head.  Not many folks had knitted it yet, and even fewer had finished it.  But what the heck, I thought as I dove in.  I made some mistakes early on that resulted in some frustration and some frogging, but once I got going, I was all excited and hopeful.  The trouble was, the farther I got, the worse it went.

The bottom line is, I just hate this pattern.  The designer creates some truly beautiful sweaters, and other folks don't seem to have this much trouble.  Go figure.  But the pattern wasn't cheap, and it was 14 pages long, which seems sort of silly.  And when I printed it out, I found that every single page contained an ad for the designer's web site, which was annoying, but whatever.  Then page 13 -- a full page ad.  Really?  Embedded in the pattern I just paid you for?  So glad I wasted ink to print that out.  Grrr.

The second major annoyance was that even with 13 pages of pattern, I had to write out the instructions by hand -- row by row -- in order to make any sense of several of the sections.  It's convoluted and unnecessarily complicated, which probably bugs me more than most since I used to write really good instructions for a living in a former life.

The third major annoyance was that the pattern, at least for my size, was FULL of errors.  I had to stop and count, and tink and fiddle at least three or four different times times only to find that the mistake wasn't mine, it was the designer's.  Curiously, there were no typos at all in any of the ads.  Another grrrr.

Finally, even though my gauge swatch was spot on, this thing is miles too big.  Granted, I've lost almost 30 pounds since I started it, but even 30 pounds ago, the bottom would've been too big.  See?
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So now, all that work and all that yarn will be going to a lovely lady from my lunchtime knitting group.  Because it fits her, and she looks fabulous in it.  In return, she's offered to buy the yarn for my next sweater.  I'm pretty excited about this part, and counting on you all to help me pick the pattern.  We'll do that in the next couple of weeks.

Anyway, back to the evil pattern at hand.  With all of these difficulties and a year of frustration, I decided there was only one thing to do.  This:
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Yay, fire!
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I can't tell you how completely satisfying this was, and how I wish all of you had been there to experience it with me.  We could've toasted marshmallows and sung Kumbaya!
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Thanks for hanging with me through this epic dredge of a project!  I swear the next one will have a happier ending, mostly because the pattern is by Ysolda Teague, who's brilliant and lovely and writes patterns that are elegantly constructed and crystal clear that turn into beautiful sweaters when all is said and done.  Hooray!

Once you've properly recovered from the shock of my impromptu pattern flambé, go check out the rest of the FO Friday posts -- lots of beautiful stuff, though I think this might be the only bonfire...

PS.  I'm linking up to Fiber Arts Friday for the first time today, too.  Even more fun!

25 comments:

  1. I'm glad you found a home for your vest. It is beautiful.
    I'm also glad you set fire to that darn pattern. Go girl!
    Can't wait to see what yarn you get for the next sweater. I love vicarious yarn shopping : )
    Hope you have a great weekend!

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  2. The yarn colour is great and at least you managed to finish it, I think I would have lobbed it at the wall and ignored it forever more. Burning the pattern= brilliant idea :D

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  3. Beautiful!! Sorry it doesn't fit, but with all of the baggage, you likely would have resented wearing it. Now, start on that new sweater and kick some behind!

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  4. What a relief! It's over. Well done.
    that new project looks lovely. Might even be tempted to try it myself! good luck with it.
    xxx

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  5. It looks beautiful, but the pattern sounds pretty horrendous! Can't say I blame you burning it (although I wouldn't have had your patience, and would probably have burned it much sooner and never finished the vest!)

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  6. I am so impressed that you actually finished this, if it was me, it would have ended up as a UFO a long time ago. It's a shame it didn't fit, but I'm glad you found someone who could enjoy it!

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  7. It looks spectacular. I am very happy you found someone to give it to and that you wilol be getting your wool for your next project.

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  8. the sweater looks lovely, it's sad it doesn't fit you, but it's awesome to be trading it for new yarn! you have a lot of will power - with all the problems you had, I probably would've frogged it within a week.

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  9. Well done for getting it finished! Sounds like it was a bit of a nightmare! Sorry it doesn't fit you but at least its going to a good home! Oh loved the photo's by the way!

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  10. XD Awesome post. I'd set fire to a pattern as well if it were that annoying...Really, ads in a finished pattern, especially that often (and big)? I'd expect the designer to mention their shop or whatnot, but not that often...

    The vest looks nicely done, at least. ^^

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  11. The vest looks beautiful: and it says so much about you that you persevered and kept going throughout all the difficulties. I do hope you messaged the designer ? I can't get over the ads *in* the pattern ....

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  12. Oh man, after that long of a knit, that's just heartbreaking. :( I can't believe the designer put ads in a pattern you had to BUY. I understand the free ones, but really, on the paid ones?

    I was so excited to see it and it doesn't disappoint. It's gorgeous and your knitting friend will love it I'm sure. She's so sweet to buy you yarn for your next sweater. You know, we are doing a Candy Skein KAL starting in October that could be...(shhhh..it hasn't been announced yet) a short sleeved cardigan! ;)

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  13. The sweater looks great from here. Of course, the final result is even better... including the flambe. :-)

    I'm thrilled to find another fiberista from Colorado!!

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  14. Congrats on finishing it despite all the travails ! The pattern sounds like a horror show . I hope that you give the designer some feedback , if only for the ads . Good luck with the next project , looks like it will be fun . Ysolda's designs are super nice !

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  15. Such a shame you didn't enjoy it, it's beautiful.

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  16. Can't say that I blame you in the least! It is pretty, but I know all too well the disappointment of spending grueling hours on something only to have it not fit properly.

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  17. 13 pages! No way. It looks great but "you've been there, done that" and never again!

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  18. Well done for sticking it out and finishing it (I would have given up long ago). I'm sorry it didn't fit in the end but Yey for your friend getting the yarn for something new to start on

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  19. Hahaha...pattern flambe! I love it!! You have retained your good spirits through a difficult project, and have managed to find a wonderful
    solution...so all in all, I think you are a very resourceful and talented knitter!! XXO-

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  20. Hooray for finally finishing the vest! Knitting that pattern took a lot of fortitude and more patience than I will ever have. I am glad that you found a recipient for it because it really is lovely. Great choice for your next project. Ysolda is a terrific designer, so hopefully you won't be needing a lighter anytime soon.

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  21. WoW! I don't know if I would have stuck through until the end. I am so happy that you have someone who will love it and...that that person will "replace" the yarn. Good things do come to those who are patient. Love the burning pattern photos.

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  22. The perfect end. Nothing is more annoying than a poorly written pattern. Best of luck on your next project. Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday!

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  23. Ok, this post made my day! First of all, the vest is beautiful and I was in pain reading about all the troubles you had with the pattern - good for you for not giving up (and what a lucky friend who gets it!). But, the last pictures of you burning the pattern, that was just awesome! Love it!

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  24. Hey hun
    have had a look at her patterns. I love this one:
    http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melia
    Reckon I'll have a go at that one day. It looks lush!
    Thanks for putting me on to her patterns.
    xxx

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  25. way to torch that pattern! I have been there with other ones and think it that was a brilliant way to get "closure" haha! Sucks that it didn't work out - she does have gorgeous designs!

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