I have to admit I’m pretty darned proud of myself. First of all, I sucked it up and traveled to Taos and, as a reward, had an entertaining and educational weekend, made all the more special by a quick, many-miles-driven visit from Hunky Husband. Granted, I have been paying the price for the extra exertion since the day I returned in the form of Attack of the Dumb Disease but that’s okay. It was worth it.
Second of all, I designed, knit, crocheted, embroidered, and FINISHED The Tasha Dress. It is the first knitted piece I have ever designed from scratch. Usually, I rework a published pattern by changing the sleeves or the neckline or the length; well, you’ve got the idea. I did not do this. Granted, I made a jillion mistakes which led me to bite the bullet, rip the whole 3/4ths-of-the-way-done dress down to the hem the Saturday we were in Taos, and go down another design path BUT I did it.
Behold the Tasha dress, albeit ill-fitting for the I-so-did-not-volunteer-for-wearing-a-girl’s-dress Pint. It should fit its wearer just fine, just below the knees. The garter stitch hem allows it to be turned up for now and tacked down and then undone as the little one grows.
And the initial design problem? The all-important flowers. I think I told you before I planned on an intarsia/fair isle mix knitted into the base of the dress. Apparently, I am not good enough to do this yet. The knitted decreases in order to shape the A-line distorted the flowers and, besides, they did not have that innocent child quality needed for this dress. Instead I re-knitted the deep orange base by itself and worked the flowers separately. Then I embroidered them in place with a chain stitch and added French knots in the center. I like them. I sure hope the wearer does.
Now that Tasha is complete, I can get back to the myriad of family projects slated for completion/construction and maybe, just maybe I can talk my body into forgiving me for pushing it to take a trip and work long hours. I’m beginning to tire of resembling a tobacco-loving, fifth-a-day drinking baseball player with a bad skin problem. (I’m swollen, lumpy, and bumpy. God love my husband for even looking at me.)
A sense of completion is such a strange and rare thing for me. I think I like it but I have to admit I’m already missing my creation. Hopefully, she’ll like her new home in Texas and make an already special toddler feel that much more so.
"I feel pretty, oh so pretty....."
Congratulations Lauren! Cross-posting to Backyardiknits now? I think it looks amazing. Might be enough to inspire me to finish Tyrone.
Posted by: Beth in WI | October 18, 2007 at 12:16 PM
Congratulations, I think you did a beautiful job! Glad I droppped in to see it.
Posted by: truestitches | October 18, 2007 at 12:35 PM
What a special dress! Congratulations on the beautiful work. I am SO jealous of all your design talent!.
Posted by: Margery | October 18, 2007 at 05:26 PM
It's BEAUTIFUL Lauren! As are YOU!!
Posted by: Nancy K. | October 19, 2007 at 03:59 AM
WOW! Very nicely done!
Posted by: Meg | October 19, 2007 at 06:29 AM
I love it --- and I love the flowers. You made the right choice in doing them separately. they are gorgeous. What a special project this is. I'm sure she'll love it and wear it for a long time. Tell Pint it's his color, but he needs to pump a bit more iron before the top fits him right!
Posted by: Karalyn | October 21, 2007 at 08:49 AM