Wednesday, November 29, 2006

You can go ahead and consider this my "oh well, I'm not going to finish my nano novel again this year" post.

And I'll go ahead and continue a little tradition of my loserdom that I started last year. When it became clear last year that I wasn't going to finish it, I consoled myself with a yarn purchase and cast on for a new sweater. I affectionately called it the Loser Sweater:

Nano loser 1 closeup Nano loser sweater

As you can see, it's simple and clean and uncomplicated. Clearly, this was a sweater that I could knit quickly and easily while sniffing back tears of failure. My heart was still in the writing, not the knitting.

By contrast, may I present Loser Sweater #2:

Nano loser sweater 2 Nano loser 2 back Loser 2 unbelted Loser 2 star detail

There is nothing uncomplicated about this sweater. The yarn wasn't purchased, it was recycled silk/angora which I reclaimed from a gigantic cabled pullover. The pattern is actually knit from the center outward in a giant, lacy circle with arms grafted in at just the right point. It's ridiculous in its complexity. But I loved making it. This is a sweater that screams at the top of its lungs, "Screw you, Nano! I'm a knitter, not a novelist!"

Next year I may need to devote November to something more along the lines of NaKniSweMo just so I'll have a Winner Sweater to add to the collection.

13 comments:

carlita dee said...

Oh, my! This is pure gorgeousness. I don't know which would be better, to have completed NaNoWriMo or to have created this sweater.

Crystal said...

What a fantastic sweater! That is definitely not a Loser Sweater.

Anonymous said...

Wow. That's absolutely gorgeous. I don't suppose you can share the pattern with us?

Anonymous said...

Very cool!

Meredith said...

Very pretty! Is it from Garnstudio? I've had my eye on that one.

Chris O'Brien said...

Thanks everybody! Yes, it's this garnstudio pattern. So many great designs on that site.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad to see someone else knit this sweater, too! I finished mine a few months ago, but I couldn't find a way to fasten the darn thing. I'm going to do what you did and knit a belt -- what a great idea!

And I absolutely love your version. That color is gorgeous! It's definitely a sweater of victory, not defeat!

Chris O'Brien said...

That's one thing it does lack is shoulders. The belt helps and I also added a drawstring where the collar folds down so I wouldn't have to be constantly shrugging it back into place.

Beth, I want to see a picture of yours!

Penny said...

That really is a gorgeous piece of knitting.

Teresa said...

So pretty! You mentioned that you used some recycled yarn - I was wondering what gauge it was? DK? Worsted? I'd love to make one of these myself!

Chris O'Brien said...

The yarn ended up being conveniently on-gauge with what the pattern called for, which if I'm remembering right was 16 stitches to 4 inches. Maybe 17. I made the smallest size.

Jane said...

That sweater is stunning!

Anonymous said...

wow. beautiful. congratulations.