A Celtic Dream Come True
Ta da! Here's my Celtic Dreams welcoming you with open arms. (Wooley boards are fun!)
A close-up of her beautiful cables.
And see how much I care about you? On this hot, muggy, humid, hazy day, I put on this heavy wool sweater and stepped outside for a photo. I hope you get the idea, because I don't plan on actually wearing this beautiful thing again until, say October at the earliest (grin).
- Pattern: Celtic Dreams by Beth Brown-Reinsel
- Yarn: Black Water Abbey wool in "Autumn," 5 skeins.
- Started in April. Finished June 16th.
I didn't make any design modifications. I love the whole thing. There are just two things that aren't perfect. One, my gauge loosened as I worked the body, so the lower half of the body is wider than the top--just ever so slightly tent-like. Not as flattering as I'd like (as if I didn't have enough trouble with my waistline). And, two, the sleeves are somehow just a tiny bit too short. Usually, if anything, sleeves end up too long for me but I actually followed the pattern and made them the length called for, and they're about half an inch above my wrist bone. I therefore may decide (later, much later) to pick up those 48 stitches at the cuff and add a couple rows of garter-stitch, just to add a little bit of length . . . or, I may not!
Regardless, I am thrilled with this sweater. The yarn is gorgeous--though perennially hard to photograph. It seems like every other picture comes out a different shade, and close ups? Almost black and white, but I have no idea why! (The color in this photo is really quite good. My hair looks better, too, but of course, it wasn't as humid!) But believe me when I tell you the yarn is beautiful. It feels nice, too. Not quite as scratchy as I was afraid it would be before I bought the yarn, and it did soften when I washed it. I think I'll always choose to wear a shirt under this, but it's very "wearable." The pattern was brilliant--even to the set-in sleeves, and the "Skirt" and cuff design elements which I think just makes the sweater work so well. It's also my first Aran sweater--I've done cables, but not an "Aran," and there really is a difference.
Anyway, I love it. The pattern is brilliant. The yarn is beautiful. All this cabley-goodness. What's not to love??
That is a gorgeous sweater. I am sitting here in my office with a fan blowing on me, feeling really hot and sticky. yuck.
Posted by: Paula | June 19, 2006 at 06:41 PM
That is stunningly beautiful!!! BRavo....and more for putting that on in the soupy mess that was today - whew!
Posted by: chris | June 19, 2006 at 06:55 PM
Excellent knitting! Although I'm hot just looking at you! It was brutal this weekend - kudos to you on a fine photoshoot.
Posted by: Cara | June 19, 2006 at 07:06 PM
Wow, that really is beautiful! And, yes - I do appreciate the sacrifice you made to put it on with the hot, humid weather. The outside picuture is probably the best representation of the actual color. Congratulations.
Posted by: Deb | June 19, 2006 at 07:07 PM
Gorgeous! The color looks great with your hair, too. I hope that was a quick photo - I'm melting just thinking about standing outside in a wool sweater.
Posted by: terby | June 19, 2006 at 07:13 PM
Deb, that is a good-lookin' sweater!! Have you tried reblocking the sweater to narrow the waist/hips and add length to the sleeves by blocking it under tension? I've worked with BlackWater Abbey yarns in the past and I've successfully reblocked a sweater using tension to get a slightly different dimension.
Posted by: Christina | June 19, 2006 at 07:27 PM
BEAUTIFUL! What a great job you did! And trying it on in that heat, amazing!
Sheri in GA
Posted by: Sheri | June 19, 2006 at 07:30 PM
That is really gorgeous.
Posted by: Lauren | June 19, 2006 at 07:48 PM
What's not to love, indeed! It looks gorgeous.
Posted by: Katy | June 19, 2006 at 08:38 PM
Brava!.......and you are the most beautifully clad woman in NJ!......alert the media!......
Posted by: Babs | June 19, 2006 at 08:55 PM
Gorgeous!! I love the cables on the back of the sweater!
Posted by: Gracie | June 19, 2006 at 08:55 PM
Wow! Very beautiful!!!!!
Posted by: lisa | June 19, 2006 at 09:25 PM
Stunning. Despite the heat, I want to knit one. Now.
Posted by: Kat | June 19, 2006 at 09:37 PM
Congrats! It is SO beautiful.
Posted by: Chris | June 19, 2006 at 10:53 PM
Gawgeous, dahlin! The sweater looks lovely, and I'm feeling the love from you actually wearing it OUT OF DOORS to get that photo! That's what I call taking one for the team!
Posted by: Anita | June 19, 2006 at 10:58 PM
That sweater is gorgeous!
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool | June 19, 2006 at 11:04 PM
Gorgeous sweater!
Posted by: Brenda | June 19, 2006 at 11:15 PM
Very beautiful!
Posted by: Jeanne | June 20, 2006 at 04:47 AM
oh wow. Celtic Dreams is so very beautiful!
Posted by: 4-Ply Katie | June 20, 2006 at 05:22 AM
Marvelous! I love everything about it - the cables, the color, the quality and it looks great on you. Congrats and wear it well.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 20, 2006 at 06:52 AM
Oh it's lovely! I was amazed at how lightweight the BWA sweaters feel even though they use a lot of yarn. It gives a much less bulky appearance which those os us with short stature appreciate. :)
Posted by: Lizzy B | June 20, 2006 at 08:44 AM
Your sweater is truly beautiful! Great knitting! I'm sure it's going to be a nice companion for this winter.
Posted by: Christine | June 20, 2006 at 09:03 AM
Absolutely gorgeous! And I love the color. Now think thoughts for cold weather so you can wear it -- I don't know if I'd be able to wait until winter.
Posted by: amanda | June 20, 2006 at 09:34 AM
Fantastic job! It fits perfectly and I love the way it looks on you!
Posted by: Carole | June 20, 2006 at 10:20 AM
It's perfect! Congrats on a beautiful sweater. It really is a great design. Love it!
Posted by: Annie | June 20, 2006 at 10:40 AM