I told myself last Friday that if my hair came out good I’d put on the Everyday Cardigan and take some self portraits. So here we are. And can I just say? Self portraits are hard!
Taking self portraits involves a lot of walking back and forth. Move the tripod closer. Take a photo with the remote. Walk back and check. Move the tripod closer still. Take a photo with the remote. Walk back and check. You get the idea. It takes a while.
And you feel a little silly, too. Holding up the collar, throwing your arms out to the side, posing for no one in site – you hope! But it was worth it because I really wanted to show you my new favorite sweater.
The fit is just what I wanted and the color is great. Sometimes it looks green, sometimes brown, but it always has those colorful flecks of blue and purple and pink and white. I only made one modification to the pattern – I lengthened it by a couple of inches. Easy to do and it made it much more wearable for me.
I thought I might have a hard time finding buttons that would match but I actually found 3 different ones that I liked. I went with these metal ones and I love them. I also love the way the collar is knit. You pick up stitches and then knit 2X2 rib and then a few rows of garter stitch. This makes a pretty little roll and I think this style collar should be used more often.
I’ve worn it a LOT since I finished it and that’s the real test. And Peace Fleece, while it may be a little bit scratchy until it’s been washed a few times, doesn’t pill!
I guess this is all meant to say: I love it!
lisa Said,
The sweater looks great! And you take some amazing self-portraits… When I try, it’s with the camera at arm’s length, and I always have these odd expressions (that clearly say “this is silly, wtf am I doing???”). I’ve been told by several people that washing a scratchy sweater (think Bartlett) in a rinse of hair conditioner (or Murphy’s oil soap!) softens it… though I haven’t actually tried this.
Brenda Said,
Great pictures. And the sweater looks even better in person (I saw it at SPA).
Nancy McCarroll Said,
Good looking cardigan and great hair!! Congrats!
Julie Said,
Great job on the self-portraits and on the sweater. It really does look great on you!
margene Said,
It looks fabulous! It’s a great color and you did a good job with the pictures, too!
Kris Said,
Love it! Looks like one of those great basics that you can practically live in!
ChristyH Said,
Lovely cardi! I need to make one for everyday wear, but unfortunately I am obessesed with socks and can’t fit them in.
Ruth Said,
My favorite sort of sweater …. you’re going to get tons of use out of that one.
Amy Said,
Very nicely done! I love all of the little details. And that rolled collar is one of my favorites, too.
Jean Said,
I like this classic sweater, it would go with so much in my wardrobe. The metal buttons compliments the flecks of color. Nice job, I may have to add this to my to do list.
Chris Said,
It turned out so well and looks great on you!
And, although I don’t have to hit the remote for my camera to do self-portraits, I know what you mean about the rest of it.
Anne Said,
It looks stunning on you – great color, great fit. Very very nice! (You shouldn’t worry about your hair, BTW. Your smile would easily make up for any hair issues, although… your hair looks mighty nice too.)
Donna Said,
It looks great Carole. And good job with the photos – I never post pics of myself because I can never get them looking decent. Enjoy your cardi!
Karen Said,
Beautiful sweater and it looks fabulous on you! Your hair looks wonderful too. Also I think you did a great job with the self portraits.
Vicki Said,
The sweater looks TERRIFIC! And so do you. SPs are VERY hard!! One of these days I’m going to figure out how to make the camera-to-computer connection and shoot tethered!
Emma Said,
Your hair looks lovely and it’s a fabulous cardigan ! I love the way it looks on you.
Fab !
Wendy Said,
You know, I never quite realized what a total babe you are!
And the sweater is pretty darn nice, too!
Robin in VA Said,
WOW…I think you did a great job on the pics & the sweater! Love the color(s)…you really can wear it every day with all those flecks of color! You look Mah-vah-lous (channeling Billy Crystal)
Kat with a K Said,
Wow, looks great!
Wool Winder Said,
I’ve tried a few self portraits on my photo blog, so I know what you mean. It’s not easy. You did a great job on the photos and the sweater. You’ll be wearing this classic for a long time.
Rhonda Said,
The sweater looks great and so does your hair!
Nora Said,
Fantastic sweater, and your hair? FABULOUS, dahlink!
Joy Said,
Great sweater and very good job of the self-portraits! I’ll have to try that next time I need some shots
Cynthia Said,
You look very carefree Carole; nicely done! I LOVE the sweater and it looks wonderful on you. I particularly love the flecks of colour in the yarn – I have never used Peace Fleece and have wondered about the scratchy quality. The neck treatment is great and certainly compliments the sweater. This is definitely a classic. Congrats on such a wonderful garment for yourself!
Amy Said,
Oh, it’s gorgeous! I love the colors!
And the hair’s good too.
Carrie Said,
What a great sweater! And the self portraits look good to me.
Doris Said,
I can see why you love the sweater! and the pics are great too.
elizabeth Said,
I love it too! The yarn is beautiful and your hair looks fabulous! Thanks for going through all the hard work of taking pics – ANTM has nothing on you!
Tammy Said,
Truly a classic! I’ve never knit a sweater, but your is quite an inspiration…hmmm…no about that yarn diet….
Kathy Said,
It looks so GREAT! And wearable, which is really the key to a successful knit in my book.
Sylvia Said,
Way back when Peace Fleece was young, my aunt sent my grandmother yarn for a sweater for me. It softened after two washings. I wore that thing for years and years (15?) and it still looked new. Plus, Peace Fleece has done so much good for the world — a truly wonderful organization. The early newsletters were riveting, stories of dealing with the black market, trying to get veterinary supplies…
Your cardi is beautiful, but you outshine it.
Did you get any funny running away from the camera shots where the timer clicked before you could pose? That’s typical for my SP’s, but still better than letting DD try to shoot a photo…
Stephanie Said,
Great sweater and I love that color of Peace Fleece. I would have taken pictures for you, why didn’t you call?
Kim Said,
Such a great sweater! I haven’t knit with peace fleece in a long time, but this could tempt me
.
Those are great self portraits!
Katie K Said,
It helps if you’re photogenic– which you are! (So are Dale and Hannah!)
Beth Said,
Your sweater and your hair both look terrific!
pumpkinmama Said,
Look fabulous, and I love, love, love that yarn – gorgeous colors.
Hillary Said,
Nice pictures. The sweater looks great on you.
Leslie Said,
I love the colorway and it’s adorable on you. Your hair is awesome, too!
kmkat Said,
The sweater is wonderful! I love those all those colors in the yarn. You look mahvelous, dahling!
Thanks for the deets on that neck — I am planning a baby sweater as a gift and that is exactly the kind of edging I was looking for.
Barbara-Kay Said,
I am so much more attracted to sweaters that say “live in me” than avante-guard styles. I am eager to try your collar modification – great idea.
Thanks for the tip on the Peace Fleece. It’s a name I recognize, but not a yarn I have knit.
Cookie Said,
Gorgeous and fabulous!
Yes, nice sweater, too, but really you are the high point.
Knitnana Said,
Wow! You did a great job, not just on the sweater but the self-portraits!
It’s a very pretty Peace Fleece sweater and looks terrific on you!
(((hugs)))
Sara Said,
Your hair looks great – and I love the sweater. It is so pretty – the yarn is lovely!!! Like the buttons a lot. You look great in your new sweater…
gale (she shoots sheep shots) Said,
Way to work it, girl!! (or as Margene would say GRRRL!)
LittleWit Said,
It looks wonderful and ever so cozy!
Jan Said,
That’s the sweater I’ve been wanting to make…the exact sweater! I have had the yarn…the exact same yarn and color!…and the pattern for years. I may have to post your photos in my workroom to get me going. Glad you took the time to pose so nicely.
Lucia Said,
Damn, you’re gorgeous.
Carol Said,
Brilliant sweater! After the endorsements from you & Norma, I may actually try some peace fleece. I was really put off by the scratchiness.
Manise Said,
That is my kind of sweater! Cute roll on the neckline too. Looks awesome on ya!
~Kristie Said,
You’ve totally inspired me. You look fantastic!!! I may have to copy you and make one of those for myself. It’s one of those classic styles that you probably end up wearing a lot. I even have the perfect yarn in my stash for this sweater. Now .. if I could only free up some time to knit it.
Kate Said,
So. Pretty. I love it! Looks great on you, too
Jean Said,
I love that sweater. I lusted after it at SPA. I have to check my stash. I’m almost positive I bought that pattern when we visited Peace Fleece many many moons ago.
Norma Said,
The sweater, you, and your hair all look great! Peace Fleece is really, so far, the best yarn I’ve used. It does soften nicely if you soak it in a good dose of hair conditioner, too. But it always looks great, it doesn’t pill. And may I add, IT DOESN’T PILL. !!!!
--Deb Said,
Carole, it looks great! (And so does your hair.) It’s going to get TONS of wear–good for you!
sue Said,
It looks great on you, and your haircut looks wonderful too.
Bossygirl Said,
Look how cute you are! Love the sweater…my first cardigan was Peace Fleece, and it has worn SO well–it’s my favorite. Beautiful! (Like the new blogspace, too. You’ve probably been here for awhile, but I’m a little slow on the uptake *s*).
jill Said,
What a great sweater. Years ago I swiped an old fishman’s sweater of my dad’s with flecks of color in the wool. Your wool reminds me of the sweater. I cannot even figure out the dang flash on my easy-peasy camera. Setting a timer would send me over the edge! And your hair? Eat your heart out, Breck girls! (only funny if you remember the Breck ads!)
jillian Said,
As well you should! It’s beautiful! It’s a perfect fit and that yarn is stunningly rustic (is that a phrase?), so many colorful flecks.
JessaLu Said,
It looks great!!
)
Cheryl S. Said,
The sweater is great, and so is your hair!
Teyani Said,
You look sensational!
I never have gotten the knack of self portraits,
And the sweater is pretty fabulous too!
Seriously, it looks like one of those sweaters that is destined to become a favorite.
Congrats on not only a great completion, but fabulous hair, and gorgeous you
Laurie Said,
Not bad for working it by yourself. You are right about the collar. I have neatness issues with a plain roll from the body of the sweater. THe ribbing before it answers that perfectly.
Kate Said,
It’s beautiful!
Liz Said,
Looks great, Carole! I LOVE Peace Fleece…. and I’m always extolling it’s non-pilling virtues to anyone at the yarn shop who will listen to me.
Karen Said,
Beautiful sweater Carole! I like the longer length too. And of course, the colorway is fabulous!
Mrs MJW Said,
Lovely cardigan. It looks fabulous on you, and best of all you look so pleased. I just love that feeling.
jessie Said,
Congratulations on the new cardi. It looks great and I can tell it’s going to see a lot of daylight. That’s the kind of sweater everyone needs.
claudia Said,
Nice job! When I take self-portraits, at a minimum I take 50 shots. Sometimes more. Its a hard thing.
Danielle Said,
It looks great on you, Carole!
Angie Said,
Gorgeous! and your self portraits are awesome. Wear it in many years of good health.
Ellen Blanchard Said,
You wore this on Tuesday – and it IS beautiful! See you soon.