So into Brown belle
Truly, this is a two thumbs up sweater I am so enamored with. I love it, don't you see? I wore it yesterday for a fresh air walk at a park and it was freezing cold but I was still warm, though my hands were biting cold during the photo shoot!
Pattern: Free from Vogue Knitting "Silver belle" designed by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Jaeger Extra fine Merino Aran, shade #558 (coffee), 17 balls from Cucumberpatch
Needles Size: US#7 Addi Turbos Circular, 32 inch
Modifications: The bust was a challenge on this sweater as I am endowed in that area for my petite frame. Originally, I knit for a small size yoke and a much smaller peplum but the chest was way too small. Second time around, I knit the yoke for a medium size and lengthened it by adding 10 extra stitches at both ends (140 sts total instead of 120sts required). Secondly, joining the peplum to the yoke was a bit of a challenge because the yoke was bigger than the peplum. Instead of binding off the peplum stitches, I picked up the yoke stitches on another needle and did a three needle bind off while compensating about 2 stitches to make both sides equal. Very tricky but it helped without creating bumps along the seams as before when I tried to sew it the together. The blocking smoothed it up more and you can't tell the pieces are two different sizes. The only other mod I made was to cast on the sleeve with 4 less stitches ( took them off the centre berry stitch) and made increases every 10 to 12 rows and made up the difference in stitches at the start of yoke by adding them to the seed stitch number. I wanted skinnier sleeves and less bulky at the armpit. And I knit the sleeves 17' long instead of 16' for the same reason. It worked because the sleeves are perfect length, the armpit hangs at armpit not away from it.
Verdict: Love the sweater despite the fact that it technically was knit twice except for the sleeves! Maybe it's also the texture and definition of the fabric this yarn created. I can completely vouch for this yarn for doing the job well, maintaining the drape of fabric and is not heavy at all compared to other recommended yarns. Maybe, it's the colour too. I think we (the colour, belle and I) are united! What do you think? Worth the job twice?
p.s. I will be wearing it again today!
I am soooo enjoying your incredibly inspiring blog!!!! I have been drooling over this sweater and it looks fabulous made up on you! Wonderful work you do. I am so impressed how much you knit and am going to get to work on the sweater I started in January and still haven't finished. I have put it aside - I am on the difficult yoke and it is so slow... so I have been knitting socks instead. However you have inspired me. I am adding you to my blogroll if you don't mind? I need this kind of inspiration! Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents!
~Emily in Norway
Posted by: Ravenhill | July 02, 2008 at 08:30 AM
You out-blissed Ms. Bliss. First of all, you look gorgeous in the sweater...much better than that skinny minnie in Vogue's picture. The slimmer sleeves are MUCH more flattering. And DEFINITELY worth knitting twice to get such perfection. Congratulations.
Posted by: Betty | March 03, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Just great !!! I love it !!
Think I have to reconsider that pattern
you made so much more out of it!!
Thanks Heidi
Posted by: Heidi | January 25, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I am currently making silver belle. I cast on the stitches for a medium and after knitting about 6" realized it was going to ge huge. The pattern says the width at bottom should be 38". Is that what you got? I have started the peplum 3 times trying diffent things. The sleeves are done and were right on gauge
Posted by: Lisa | January 24, 2008 at 05:09 PM
Yours turned out gorgeous!!! I love the neutral color. You'll get lots of wear out of this one.
Posted by: Monique | January 20, 2008 at 07:07 PM
Gorgeous! I think that has to go in my queue now.
Posted by: ck | January 16, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Wow! That is beautiful - if I had one I probably would want to wear it every day. Congratulations!
Posted by: Glenna | January 14, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Fantastic! I never considered this one before now, but you've made me rethink it. Gorgeous job.
Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog) | January 13, 2008 at 02:46 PM
That is absolutely stunning. What a wonderful job you did! OK, I'll add another project to my list....!
Posted by: carolyn | January 13, 2008 at 08:34 AM
That is just gorgeous - and the colour is perfect for showing off your cables... looks wonderful!
Posted by: Deirdre | January 12, 2008 at 08:00 PM
i love your colourway! it turned out so lovely!
Posted by: heatherly | January 12, 2008 at 02:27 PM
Oh, this is gorgeous! You are so talented, I love everything I've seen so far browsing through your blog. I'll be back :) Thank you for your kind comment on my blog too, I really appreciated it. xoxo
Posted by: caroline | January 06, 2008 at 11:55 AM
That looks so great on you. I have bookmarked your mods as I also have the same well endowed challenges! I am on the second sleeve at the moment and you have spurred me to get a move on with mine before the summer gets here and I can't wear it!!
Well done!
Posted by: Liz | January 04, 2008 at 05:59 PM
Absolutely beautiful - 100 times more so than the original model. The color looks great on you as well.
Posted by: Nicole | January 04, 2008 at 05:09 AM
Wow! That is sooo beautiful! I'm so impressed!
Posted by: Katarina | January 03, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Simply Stunning, Lucy. I am in awe of your work!! Can't wait to see what's on your list for 2008!
Posted by: sheree | December 30, 2007 at 05:09 PM
Lucy your sweater is so beautiful. You are really artistic. Well done.
Posted by: Ger | December 27, 2007 at 04:13 AM
It looks beautiful on you!
Posted by: Anne Marie | December 21, 2007 at 09:19 AM
Oh, my ... I don't think I'd ever want to take if off ... absolutely stunning.
Posted by: kerry | December 20, 2007 at 12:44 PM
It is beautiful!
Posted by: Lynne Nelson-Berg | December 20, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Lucy as always I am in awe of your cable skills - looks great!
Posted by: zoe | December 20, 2007 at 05:44 AM
Lovely!
Posted by: Marsha | December 17, 2007 at 10:13 PM
yes, so worth the job twice! job well done.
very interesting to hear how you dealt with the bust issue too as i have the same considerations.
Posted by: michele | December 17, 2007 at 03:13 PM
Well Big Yes to it was definitely worth knitting twice... totally fab garment.
Posted by: sheila | December 17, 2007 at 09:43 AM
Oh it is so beautiful! Definitely worth of knitting twice, the result is magnificent and fits you perfectly! I Love your choice of colour, too.
Posted by: Vilma | December 17, 2007 at 06:11 AM
beautiful, it fits you perfectly and it is worth to knit twice.
Posted by: handknit168 | December 16, 2007 at 10:44 PM
You have created a true work of art! Lovely piece, Lucy. You were it well ;)
Posted by: Lolly | December 16, 2007 at 05:58 PM
SO worth it!! Definitely a perfect fit!
Thanks for the mod details as this will help me when I finally knit mine up!
Oh! And I have already selected Jaeger as my yarn too, only in Mustard! Just need to finally buy it! LOL
Did you have a lot of yarn left over on that 17th ball??
Again great work and so worth the time and yarn!!
Posted by: Stacey_CrimsonPurl | December 16, 2007 at 04:51 PM
Gosh, it is beautifully knit. The cables look perfect and the colour is great!
Posted by: Lin | December 16, 2007 at 04:42 PM
So perfect, completely suited to you and tailor fit! I'm really impressed. Enjoy it!! Definitely worth knitting twice :D
Posted by: Cheryl | December 16, 2007 at 02:28 PM
Gorgeous sweater. You have a way with cables.
happy wearing
Posted by: Sandra | December 16, 2007 at 11:19 AM
It's so pretty, and fits so nicely. A perfect cardigan!
Posted by: erin | December 16, 2007 at 10:12 AM
oh lucy! it is so gorgeous! i am absolutely in love with that color.
your modifications totally impressed me!
i too think it was worth knitting twice!
and yes, i will imagine you today....looking like a million bucks in your belle.
Posted by: leslie | December 16, 2007 at 08:40 AM