Monday, December 07, 2009

Loppem

I finally managed to sew the buttons on Loppem, which I finished about a month ago, and organise husby to do a photo shoot for me. Fortunately it was a nice breezy day so I didn't feel totally ridiculous and/or hot wearing a worsted weight cardigan/vest thingy in the sun!
Details
Pattern: Loppem, by Norah Gaughan, from her Norah Gaughan Collection volume 3. Lots of errors in the pattern so make sure you print out the errata before you start! But other than that, it's an easy pattern and knit all in one piece, which, while it seems slow, at least means you have no seaming at the end. And it's bottom up, so the rows get nice and short towards the end!
Yarn: Naturally Sensation, a wool/angora blend, in the most gorgeous red. Of course, this colour is now discontinued. And only 6 skeins!! I can hardly believe it. I've got 2 skeins leftover. And I thought I'd be running close to the wire on the yardage. I wish I'd known, because I would have made it longer. As it was, I made it longer than the pattern specified by nearly 2 inches. If I could do it again, I'd add at least 2 or 3 more inches again to the bottom.

Sticks: 5mm KP Harmony options
Time: 29 September - 15 November 2009
What I learnt: Check the chart when doing cables! I ended up doing an extra cable crossing on one of the cables (but fortunately on both the left and the right side) so I had to make a feature of it - by alternating the actual cable pattern with my modified cable pattern. It worked out fine, I think!
To be perfectly honest, I'm not entirely sure this is the right garment for me. A round yoke with a relatively high neckline does not do wonders for my bust...but I think it'll be a good layering garment, even if I just wear it around the house! But the colour, oh my I love the colour!

20 comments:

Michelle said...

I think it looks fantastic! As for the boobage issue, I find that high throated yokey items are fine, as long as you only wear one colour underneath. It deceives the eyes, or the boobage, or something! Try it on again with just the one colour on top and you'll notice a difference.

And as an aside, that shade of red is stunning.

Donna Lee said...

I was thinking how good it looked on you. And if you don't tell anyone about your cable design feature, no one will know. And yours will be truly unique. The red color is exquisite. So, of course it's discontinued.

amy said...

Loppem is on my list, and I have red yarn for it, too! It just calls for red, in my opinion. :-) I was having trouble figuring out the errata issue--I can't tell, but I think I might have a later edition of the pattern booklet, with errors, or at least some errors, fixed. I'll have to spend some time figuring that out when I go to knit it. I think yours looks great, and do I see a wee little baby bump? ;)

roxie said...

Yummy! And I agree, try with just one color underneath. Or try leaving it unbuttoned and see how you like that look. It's a gorgeous vest!

Alwen said...

It's gorgeous, and my mom would just love that shade of red. Yummy.

Sarah said...

Gorgeous! Love it in that shade of red so much - I think it should be a staple of your wardrobe it's so fab. So there!

Anonymous said...

It's done, and stunning. You're lucky to be able to wear all those lovely shades of red and orange.

I thought the Loppem sits so well on you - like a capelet with sleeves - and the fabric drape is so pretty. Very elegant cables too!

Bells said...

i reckon it works just fine on you. Fabulousl. The boobage issue isn't what you think it is - because doesn't sit right over your bust, and is open, i think it's a lot more flattering than you imagine. The colour is so you.

DrK said...

just the thought of all that angora makes my eyes water but gees it looks fab on you! i think the neckline really suits you actually, and the cables look great. i know what you mean about boobage, same issue as FLS i think, so maybe more shaping is more flattering, but from the front on shot it looks great. the colour just makes me sigh.

LynS said...

I agree with those who say it looks great on you - I bet you wear it a lot as it's a perfect Sydney winter garment. And the perfection of the colour needs no further comment.

Ann said...

Looks great on you & I love the color too. The cable bands look great. You have done a beautiful job.

Unknown said...

Maybe it isn't the cardi that's making the assets look prominent, it's what's going on inside?

I love your loppem. Think of it as an investment knit for next winter!

TinkingBell said...

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous - the colour everything - wonderful! I love hte sensation - my vine yoke is made in the green - and that only took 6 skeins too - now, what to do wiht the rest........

Caffeine Girl said...

Loppem is on my list to be my 2nd sweater (if I ever finish no. 1, that is).

I think it's darling on you. And it has some give for the coming months! (Oops, I guess you might not be wearing many sweaters in the southern hemisphere -- at last not until what we call summer!

Linda said...

Thats a great sweater, I need one now! The colour is fab isn't it. I think that it will be just perfect to where whilst pregnant as it is a great layering piece.

MadMad said...

Oh, I've wanted to make one for so long... my list is just impossible! And then the WIP pile. Ay! Yours looks great, though - love the extra cables!

kim said...

I love it on you! I think it's the perfect little sweater.

kate said...

That is such a cute cardi - I'm trying hard not to surf for that exact red and slavishly copy your success :>

kgirlknits said...

ahh, I think it looks great!

but i'm hearing you on adding extra length, also wish I had added more, despite adding a goodly some.

I bet you still get lots of wear, particularly in that gorgeous shade of red ;)

Denise said...

It's gorgeous - love the cables AND the colour!! Perfect :D