A Change of Pace...Finished a sweater!

When I finished Bob's stole, I decided that rather than start something new, I would finish a sweater that has been in pieces on one of my tables for a while--I had covered it up with a sheet so that I could use the table without disturbing it last spring! Here it is! I took a workshop called "Knit Until it Fits" in Kelowna two years ago with Paulette Lane. The idea is to start with a single stitch and then increase one at the beginning of each row with a yarn over. Knit until you have a triangle with an equal number of yarn overs on each selvedge and it's the width of your shoulders. Use the gauge calculated from this triangle to figure out how many stitches to cast on for other kinds of shapes.

I crocheted all the pieces together with a simple chain stitch (not a single crochet--I wanted the resulting seam to lie flat.) You can see from the back view that I could have made the initial triangle smaller--it's a little wide for my shoulders. This is probably due to the weight of the sleeves. The yarn is heavy with a lot of drape--it's a linen/wool blend.

I joined the sides with panels in which I did some waist shaping with short rows.

I'm happy with it--just need some cooler weather so I can wear it! We are enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures these days--it's been in the high 20's and low 30's in the Okanagan...breaking some long standing weather records.

Photos from Carolyn's ordination

I received the following e-mail from Carolyn yesterday. I made her stole last spring.

Janet- After a longer process than anticipated, I was ordained and got to wear the stole you created. Here are some pictures of me "in action" in it. So many people were amazed with your artistry and it truly proclaims my theology. Thanks again!

Blessings upon your minstry to those who minister.

Pastor Carolyn

Bob's Ordination Day

What a happy and delighted guy!


The Abrams family on Bob's ordination day, September 17, 2011.

Back View

Suits him, don't you think?

I love getting pictures of my stoles being worn. They look so much better than on my dressmaker dummy!

A Picture of Kimiko at her Graduation, May 2011

I was thrilled to open an e-mail from Kimiko this afternoon. Attached was this picture:

And this message from Kimiko:

Hello Janet
I've been holding off to see if I could get a good photo from my graduation with the stole. There isn't really anything that truly shows it off. In the attached photo I am wearing the stole. This is just after the graduation ceremony. This is me with my mom and her sisters who all came to be part of the celebration of ministry ceremony.

The stole really is beautiful. I have had many people ask about it and they are always intrigued at the history from which it is made. I have also pinned my dad's mother's deaconess school pin to it so that she is also part of it.

I have it hanging on the wall of my office when I'm not wearing it. It also looks lovely hanging. I will try to get a photo of me wearing it to send to you so you can add it to your blog. Of course you may post the attached photo if you like.

many blessings
Kimiko

Piping and finishing

I love to use striped ties as piping. Striped ties are obviously neckties and difficult to use in the main body of the garment--they scream "This stole is made from ties!" I prefer my work to be more subtle in that you have to get up very close before it's obvious that the stole is made from ties. In piping however, striped ties shine. These are the striped ties that came in this collection:

And the jumble of piping I created from the three ties:

Piping is a lovely way to finish the edges.

Once I applied the piping, all that was left was to stitch the lining and presto, the stole is finished!

Back view: