The pattern is very clever. Even while I was knitting it, I had a hard time seeing the big picture, and decided to just follow the directions and see what I ended up with. It all works out in the end.
I love the yarn. The multi-colored yarn is Wollmeise in Spice Schwammerl and the beautiful solid is Leading Men Fiber Arts in Copper Cloud. They're both yarns that Ryan picked out at The Loopy Ewe last year. Definitely not my usual, but they are lovely together.
But ... I don't love the finished object itself. I didn't love the endless garter stitch. I don't mind it in the Hitchhiker pattern, so that's probably not the real reason. The shape is odd and hard to figure out what to do with. The biggest problem that I've had is that I can't figure out how to wear it. I'm not the kind of person who can artfully drape a scarf around my neck and have it look good. Instead, it either looks like a bib, slides off in the middle of doing something, and I nearly strangled myself when I got it caught in my seat belt.
I think I'll live with it for a little while, see how I feel, and then decide if I've knit a Christmas present or if I'll keep it. Maybe if I added something to the ends like I was compelled to do with my most recent Hitchhikers? The whole time I was knitting, I heard this little voice whispering "It's nice, but it's not a Hitchhiker". Maybe I should listen!
What are you making and reading this week?
I am a Match and Move enthusiast so I hope you find out you love it. If you are used to lighter, airier shawls maybe this will need adjusting but when it's a bit cooler you may find it very pleasant. If you look on Ravelry you can find pictures of it being worn that may give you some ideas. I have pictures of four of us wearing four of the ones I have made, all wearing it differently, so that might give you some ideas. (I'm kayT on Rav. too. See "Match and Move for Dianna".) I also love the Wollmeise yarn; it wears terrifically well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your advice! I'm a Hitchhiker enthusiast, so I think it's mainly the shape of Match and Move that's bothering me. I'll need to live with it for a while and get used to it. I used your bind-off mod and it worked well!
DeleteOh Bonny - it is GORGEOUS! That copper! The Wollmeise with the copper. Ryan definitely knows what he is doing when he picks out yarn. You are a Hitchhiker addict, I know, but I hope you grow to love your Match & Move. It took me awhile to be comfortable wearing mine, but I so enjoy it now. This will keep you warm in the winter months - even if you only wear it inside while reading/knitting/etc. ongratulations on such a beautiful finish (and I bet you are so glad to be done with it - lol).
ReplyDeleteI love how this looks Bonny! Those colors do look beautiful together - well done Ryan!! :)
ReplyDeleteI am with you... there are certain shapes that I just don't know how to artfully wear. (I feel like I look as awkward as I feel... not good and it means a day of fussing with the accessory)
The colors are beautiful and lovely together ... I'm sorry you don't love the finished piece. I'd say Christmas Gift; life is too short to suffer with accessories that don't make us feel beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the color combination! I struggle with wearing these big shawls, too, and I'm convinced that a big part of it is just attitude. Maybe a pretty shawl pin to hold it in place would help?
ReplyDeleteThe colors are beautiful! I've made shawls that are just too much for me and make me feel like a puff ball. I have given every one of them to my niece who is 5'11" (I'm barely 5'2") and wears them well!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbie! Giving it to my SiL for Christmas is definitely an option. I really do love the colors and have more of the same yarn, so I might knit a two color Hitchhiker with it some day!
DeleteThose are beautiful colors together and I hope you'll find a way to wear it that's comfortable and pleasing for you. I'm a little challenged as to how to wear True Colors so I totally get what you're saying!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a beautiful piece Bonny! I'll join the gift it if you're not comfortable crowd. Our first instinct is usually right! (Just think about the lucky recipient!)
ReplyDeleteIT is so lovely , though. I think each stitch has meaning . SOMEONE Will just love it. Bonny, I have two shawls from Jan and Feb of this year that are still tucked away as "I don't know" pieces. Like you they are difficult to wear, for me. Ladies at our yarn shop in Illinois always wore theirs so well. But they had big shawl pings and lots of yardage to drape with. sometimes IT looked like they were wearing a cozy blanket....
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy! Giving it to my SiL for Christmas is definitely an option. I really do love the colors and have more of the same yarn, so I might knit a two color Hitchhiker with it some day!
DeleteIt is just beautiful, Bonny! And I know exactly what you mean about shapes like that . . . not quite a shawl, and not quite a scarf, and that bib thing . . . Maybe try this: fold in half-ish, lengthwise, so it's more scarf-like. Then, with the middle at the front of your neck, wrap both ends to the back and cross, then bring them to the front. Let the ends hang. You can pull the "front" (the part you started with at your neck) looser. I find this looks pretty good for those really long, asymmetric "shawls." (Good luck.)
ReplyDeleteI think this is beautiful, Bonny, but I understand your discomfort with wearing it. I find I just don't enjoy wearing any shawls, so the ones I have made and own don't get much wear. I am just too busy in the house to put up with it being in the way, and when I am out, it's not enough cover. I admire people who can wear them effortlessly, but I am evidently not one of them. I prefer garments that need no adjustment, i.e. cardigans, vests, etc. It would make a lovely present for some lucky someone. I am attempting to learn how to knit in the Portuguese style when time permits so that I can knit without a lot of pain in my hands. I just have not had enough time to practice lately. I need to knit something simple to continue my learning curve. Maybe a scarf or some plain socks. I need to cast on!
ReplyDeleteThis is just stunning.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! :-)
DeleteI agree with others - the shawl is beautiful. The shape and colors make it very sophisticated. I love the copper colored yarn. I have certain shawls that I wear over and over and a few that are tucked away. I like the ones that I can tie and am not crazy about the triangle bib hanging down over my chest. It is all personal preference that is for sure. Someone will love it.
ReplyDeleteOh, Bonny! It looks like a feather! The colors are just spectacular together. I wear shawls ALL the time, but usually they are wrapped like scarves around my neck. I have a shawl in a similar shape that I drape over my shoulders with the point in the back and then cross the tails in the front. I can put my coat on over it and it adds an extra layer of warmth across the shoulders when the weather is frightful. Of course, I have a dog that needs walking several times a day and staying warm is a must. Match and Move would be lovely just draped over the back of your couch (show it off!) as a piece of art. Don't give it away until you're very sure you won't wear it or use it. It's such a fabulous piece.
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOSH!! That is gorgeous!! All the colors go with what I wear too. You really did a lovely job. I wear my shawls but lately I've been on a cowl obsession for others and hopefully for me :)
ReplyDelete