You know why this year sucks? Because four of Japan's regular national holidays fall on Saturdays meaning that I miss out on four free days off. Today is one of those days. I think subliminally that affected my morning. I just couldn't decide what to wear today, so I took the morning off work. Man, is there anything more civilized than taking the morning off work to have a long shower, a walk in the park, and a coffee and conversation in the sunshine with your sweetie. I was able to get to work in a non-crowded train, and have a full 45 minute swim before starting work (usually a rushed 30 minutes in my lunchbreak).
Ok - I could have spent the morning tweaking the photos of Forecast but decided to leave them as is. This is an awesome pattern. Thanks Stephanie! Why is it awesome? Because it is knit in one piece, top down (why knit clothing any other way??), there is no shaping but it still looks fitted, and it is a quick interesting textural knit. I loved knitting with Rowan Cork and it is soft against the skin and super warm (I ended up wearing it to work 3 out of 5 days and was considering wearing it again today).
- Pattern: Forecast by Stephanie Japel (size 36.5 inch chest)
- Yarn: 9 and a half balls Rowan Cork (now discontinued) I would never have chosen this colour but it was the only yarn I had lying around that I got gauge with.
- Needles: US 8 and 10 (I think)
- Buttons: yellow vintage flowers from my collection (that I amassed a few months ago when I was addicted to buying vintage buttons off ebay)
- Pattern changes: I copied Winnie's awesome version of forecast and started the lower border on the sleeves at the elbow to give it a more fitted look, the garter stitch for the sleeve would have been just too baggy. I also decreased an additional six sts when starting the lower border on the sleeve. And I added about an inch and a half or two inches to the body before starting the border and also added an additional 10 rows to the lower border on the body. The extra length was a real winner. I also left out the bobbles and just knitted a simple 4x4 cable - a lot less going on and I didn't have to look at any chart!!
A full-length shot
Too far away you say. Ok, here's a closer one.
Whoa too close - your face is freaking me out. Take a few steps back already.
That's better. And a close-up.
Hey Kat, nice sweater! I am really bitter about these lost holidays, too. Enjoy your weekend!
Posted by: molly | February 10, 2006 at 05:30 PM
I like your tweaks -- I think the bobbles were too busy anyway. And I share the general bitterness about losing four holidays. Grr.
Posted by: anjali | February 10, 2006 at 05:50 PM
yeah! love it! damn, now i have to add that to my to-do list as well.
Posted by: kris | February 10, 2006 at 06:46 PM
hey kat..the blue forecast looks lovely on you! good job! and the yellow buttons give the extra umph! sweet...
Posted by: winnie | February 10, 2006 at 08:01 PM
That's such a great sweater! Gah. Another to add to my ever growing list.
Posted by: Steph VW | February 10, 2006 at 11:31 PM
I really like this sweater with your modifications. It looks gorgeous and very wearable. Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Amy | February 11, 2006 at 12:01 AM
Girl, you look HOTT in that sweater!! Great job!
Posted by: Carrie | February 11, 2006 at 12:06 AM
what an awesome pattern! i think that the more that i look at it, the more i like it. seeing it in other colors and shapes is definitely good too. now i want to make it!
gorgeous job kat. it's something to be proud of.. and i really like the buttons :)
Posted by: gleek | February 11, 2006 at 01:12 AM
very cute! I wanna see it with a yellow skirt hehe!
Posted by: pixie | February 11, 2006 at 01:12 AM
What a beautiful sweater! You did a great job! Alot of our holidays land on the weekend this year too, but we're lucky. We get the following Monday off, in lieu of...not to rub it in or anything. =P
Have a great weekend, Kat!
Posted by: Elaina | February 11, 2006 at 01:24 AM
Very cute! That Stephanie Japel, she makes some great patterns, no?
Posted by: Jenn | February 11, 2006 at 01:54 AM
Looks great! Such a cheerful blue.
Posted by: Ann | February 11, 2006 at 03:41 AM
it looks awesome! I've been hemming and hawing on this pattern for a while and you've just put it back on the contenders list. Would you ever wear it open i wonder?
Posted by: kaitlyn | February 11, 2006 at 05:25 AM
Ooooh goodness that's cute. I'd even pay more than yarn cost if I saw that in the store... Which is really saying something.
How incredibly cute and smart that cardi looks.
Posted by: freecia | February 11, 2006 at 07:09 AM
That's one fancy sweater! Nice job!
Posted by: mariko | February 11, 2006 at 10:07 AM
Awesome! That looks great!
Posted by: Angela | February 11, 2006 at 10:33 AM
It looks fantastic! I love the contrast with your vintage yellow buttons! fierce.
Posted by: dana | February 11, 2006 at 11:51 AM
Wow..that looks great! I wasn't too sure of that pattern the first time I looked at it, but yours has made me think I need to take a second look. Beautiful job!
Posted by: Niki | February 11, 2006 at 12:08 PM
Love Forecast! It looks great on you.
Posted by: Janette | February 11, 2006 at 04:13 PM
great job, kat. those vintage button are especially awesome. the sweater looks fantastic on you! :)
Posted by: Sandra | February 12, 2006 at 12:52 AM
that looks freaking FANTASIC! i love it! why oh why did you have to post about it though? i need a new project like i need a hole in the head.
btw - you cheated, i'm sure that is the yarn you originally purchased to make reveal from rowan 34.
Posted by: jacqueline | February 12, 2006 at 01:42 PM
looks rad!
Posted by: meagen | February 13, 2006 at 02:50 AM
Very nice! Love those vintage buttons. Now I have to add it on to my to-do list.
Posted by: vanessa | February 14, 2006 at 03:44 AM
Wow, great job! i love the color too + with the yellow buttons, it really pops! i like the cables as well, thanks for inspiring me to make one!
Posted by: lily | February 14, 2006 at 05:09 AM
Simply smashing! Excellent job!
Posted by: empress | February 14, 2006 at 10:08 AM