FOrging Ahead

Here, at last, is the finished entrelac jacket, and I’m pleased with the way it turned out.  I intended it as an outdoor jacket for the fall, and it will do nicely for that purpose.

Here are the specifics:
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden, color 230, 19 skeins, purchased from WEBS
Needles:  Addi size 4, circular; Inox, size 1, circular (knitted flat on circular needles)
Pattern: Sarah James, Entrelac jacket, purchased from One Fine Yarn
Started: March 2007
Finished: June 2007
Photograph by DH, taken at the Croton Point Park in NY

I’ve made major modifications to the pattern, primarily to get the size of the jacket down to the specified dimensions.  The pattern calls for needles in sizes 8, 7, and 4; I needed sizes 4 and 1 to get the required gauge.  I also left live stitches at the cuffs and bottom border for pickup. 

In addition to the earlier posts about my progress and pattern changes, I added one last bit of construction to the finishing.  I used mattress stitch to attach the shoulders so I could get a nearly invisible join.  This seam appeared to stretch, and so I reinforced the shoulder seams with a row of single crochet.

At first I wasn’t sure how to do this, and I started looking through my sewing things for twill tape, which is what you’d use to reinforce seams in a sewn garment.  I discovered that my mother had some heavy-weight polished cotton embroidery thread, and I used that instead.  By placing the single crochet below the mattress-stitch seam, I was able to get this seam to do its job without showing on the right side.

I don’t know why my mother had this thread.  In addition to sewing, she also made jewelry—so it could be related to a design she planned.  It is more likely that she intended this for some sort of trim (probably a frog on a jacket), but I don’t know how she made it.  She did not have DPNs, and so I’m assuming she used the spool with the hole in the middle, although I haven’t found that in her things.  In any case, this is an interesting technique for I-cord trimmings, and I would not have thought of it myself.  It might also make a sturdy handle for a felted handbag. 

Unless it is too hot or too cold, this jacket will be my “Rhinebeck sweater”—so I hope that those of you who go to the blogger meetup can see it first hand.

Comments

[Robin]

Looks great, Marjorie! What an accomplishment - you must be so pleased with the results. The jacket fits you well and I like that you've paired it with some narrower leg pants as it makes you look long and lean! "You go girl!"

[Dave]

It is gorgeous. I've been very impressed with your attention to detail, and frankly, it shows in the finished garment. The fit looks perfect. I think you did an amazing job at modifying the design to be what you wanted it to be -- well done!

[tiennie]

Woot woot!! It's fantastic. I've enjoyed watching this progress on your blog!

[Judy G]

Oh! I'm so excited that you finished it! I would love to see it a Rhinebeck, but it's a little far for a weekend trip from here. It looks beautiful on you; it should, given all the extra care and attention you paid to the construction. You are an artist!

Did you get a nice lunch out of the photo shoot?

[Wendy]

Both the sweater and yu look fabulous!

[Dorothy]

Marjorie - a job well, well done. Your attention to detail on this has been spectacular and your efforts have certainly paid off. It looks gorgeous, fits well and I know you'll get many many years of wonderful wear. I can see this becoming a staple in your fall wardrobe. Great job!!

[Almeda]

that tubular knitting is indeed probably spool-knit -- anywhere from four to ten prongs are common on the little ones. It's basically like a very, very tiny version of the circular knitting 'looms' I've seen some of my friends using to make hats or tubular scarves.

[Sylvie]

Marjorie, what a great sweater! and it looks fabulous on you! bet you can't wait for fall :)

I just love the color!

[Bonnie]

Thank you for visiting my blog. Your entrelac jacket is stunning! The fit is perfect and so is the finishing.