So, what I want to know is, should I lock the whole thing up in a safe, tie a brick to it, toss it into the Hudson and never think of it again? Or will it be worth it to futz around with the pattern for another...nine months or so and try to turn it into something prettyful?
I want opinions, lots and lots of opinions, so my plan is to lure those opinions to me with a contest.
Here is the
(It's really not THAT bad, right?)
DA RULES:
1. Post a comment answering these questions:
- What do you think of my jacket? Would you wear it? Would you make it for someone else? Is it too bright, dull, long, blocky, pointy, funky, magical? I want to hear EVERYTHING you have to say about it, everything that comes to mind when you see the pictures, and PLEASE be completely honest. If you think it looks like a camel's ass, say it. I promise I won't be offended, I already hate the thing.
- What can I do to improve it, or what else can I make it into? Help me work with what I got.
- Should I give up, or keep going?
2. Leave your email and link to your blog in same comment.
3. Put a link to this post on your blog.
4. Let me know how you heard about this.
Do all of these things and your name will go into my magical basket of wonders. If someone comes by and says they found my contest on your blog, then you get another entry into the basket.
On March 2nd, I will reach into my basket of wonders and pull out someone's name.
The prize is this:
My leftovers from this project, 4 very almost full balls of Cascade 220 wool. And...maybe some candy and other stuff, wink wink. (No, you don't get to keep Little Tisha.)
Alright, deep breath...GO!
40 comments:
Okay - I'm game! Here's my two cents (or three or four or whatever):
1. I love the colors, steering clear of pink, tan or any flesh tones will help avoid the resemblance to anyone's ladybits. And Queen of Diamonds is a great name!
2. Because it's a longer length jacket and the patterning on the back gives it a heavier appearance, I actually think it would look better with long sleeves, more "balanced" if you will.
3. I can't tell from the photos what the edging is on the zipper but since you've already got so much going on in the back, I'd like it more if the front was simple and clean, no contrast edging at all.
4. Lastly - I don't know if this is even possible with the garment construction but when I picture that jacket with the above changes I also picture it with a hood, using the same color and stockinette stitch you used on the front of the jacket. Here's why...I really like the way the patterning on the back comes around to the front, but I think a hood like I described would help balance the overall look by bringing some of the front to the back. If it were one of those "pointy" style hoods it would reinforce the diamond patterning and further tie together the front and back of the jacket.
Okay - hope I wasn't too harsh and gave you something useful. My least favorite part about my art student years was always the critique sessions!
I posted to my blog about it here: http://messageinabottleblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/weve-all-got-opinions.html
Hope that'll get you more feedback. I'll look forward to hearing what you decide to do with the jacket next!
I don't think I can answer all your questions as I've never constructed my own garment before but I can definitely give you my opinion. First of all, it's freakin' amazing that you designed and knitted this piece! I really love the look of the back. I think you should do an edging at the bottom though-can't explain why but i think it would just look better. You could also lengthen it so it was maybe mid-thigh (though I'm sure it is a heavy piece). i think the sleeves could be more fitted. that's all i've got!
I love the jacket's concept, but I you need to tweak it and make it more substantial with no fluff...long simple sleeves, come up higher around the neck (even hood) and eliminate any fufu stuff down the front.
Think coat instead of sweater!
I would try to add in some shaping in the waist to make it more feminine. I'd just take in some sewn seams instead of ripping and reknitting. Although a bit of felting might do the trick to stiffen up the fabric.
With these changes, I would definitely wear it.
Actually I think it's pretty wearable, there are some changes I think you could make. I like the front design, how the entrelac comes onto the front is very cool. I agree get rid of the edging on the front, it's not really needed. And I also agree on longer sleeves, or more fitted short ones. Also the bottom edge would be more interesting and I think match better if you had them like the collar, finish the entrelac, it would be a lot of work though. To make each of the little triangles into full squares. Unless you started knitting at the bottom, then just start it like that, so the edge is zig zagged. I would shorten it so the entrelac starts coming to the front right under the bust, and maybe do some shaping in the middle. All someone would have to do is change needle size for the center bit to shape it really.
I think it could be really wearable with some small changes!
I'll post a link in my next blog post...tomorrow probably. And of course, I always read your blog so that's how I found this!
Hattie
chizzlesgirl@aol.com
I don't have a blog, so I guess I can't play by the rules, but I'll give you my opinion anyway. (As Kath said, "We've all got opinions" - her blog is how I found this.)
The first thing I noticed was the ruffling next to the zipper and the way the entrelac sections create an arrow pointing towards, well, the region you *don't* want this to resemble... Those are two things that bother me - of course, I don't know whether they're also the things that make you unhappy with the project.
Also, the back is a *lot* of entrelac, which makes you look heavier than you probably are, and I don't really like the look of the sleeves.
I *do* think that it could become a really cool sweater. I second the previous comments about long sleeves and a hood, both in green stockinette. That should help with the back and its 'heavy' look.
I'm not sure if it's possible, since cuffs are usually ribbing, but I think entrelac cuffs would look good... Perhaps they could be hemmed? I'm thinking of two rows of triangles that should be visible, so that would mean casting on with triangles/half squares, knitting one row of full squares and casting off with half squares again, and then fold in half...
The most important change I'd make (or try, at least) would be to replace the current edging at the zipper with entrelac, similar to what I described for the cuff. It would provide a vertical line (always a good thing, or so they say) that fits in well with the rest of the sweater, and it would lessen the pointing towards the crotch. (I think - I tried it with an image manipulation program and I liked the look.)
I like the colors, by the way! :D
It's a gorgeous sweater and looks great on you. I think maybe just a few little changes (apparently I disagree with everyone else).
First, the sleeves. They could be long or short, but I would straighten them out so they don't flip up at the end. Too cutesy. Either a hemmed edge or simple ribbing (I'd prefer hemmed, but doesn't make much diff.)
Next, the zipper and its edging. I like the blue edging; the front might look too plain without it. But I don't like the ruffly effect, and I'm not a fan of zippers in knitted apparel in general. The zipper is a long, stable,rigid edge that will not stretch along with the sweater. From what I can see near the join to the neck, you could make a buttonband (or butonband-style edging) that continues on from the shoulder, using just enough stitches so that it will lay flat and not ruffle.
Other than that, it's lovely. Congratulations on such a tremendous accomplishment.
Oh, and my blog is http://woolenough.blogspot.com and I was referred to you by Kath (aka Message in a Bottle).
Ok, I'm in.
1. It does not look like a camel's ass. It's clever. I love the ruffly bits down the front.
2. Would I wear it? No, but that has more to do with my personal taste than the design. I don't wear many things that are patterned and probably wouldn't wear that shade of green. That's not to say that someone else wouldn't love to wear it.
3. I agree with Kath- it would be more balanced with long sleeves.
4. Should you frog it or change it or chuck it? NO! A friend of mine created the same body part in her college art class using an a large appliance box, some fur coat scraps and other found objects. It was a great conversation piece and would probably be in a museum today if we hadn't decided it wasn't worth keeping. It's art.
Write up the pattern. Publish it. Make another one with imptovements. Cash in on the resulting fame by selling this one to a collector.
I found this thru Kath/ Message in a Bottle
I love the colors of the jacket - it is colorful but the jewel-esque tones subdue it so the wearer does not look circusy.
The length is great - when you sit down it covers up the otherwise potentially bare part of your back right above your pants.
I think, though, that it could use long sleeves. The rolly ends are great, but I think that long sleeves make more sense.
I like how the blue shoulder bits go into the blocky bit on the back, as well as into the green bit on the front. However, I think the thing that gets me about this is the big green part in the front. It feels like you were really into the blocks, and how it integrated into the shoulders, and came around the hip area, but then the green part seems like it doesn't belong. Maybe if the blocks didn't come around the hips and then the blue bits up the zipper could go along the bottom?
I definitely think you should keep working on it - it is a really cool thing to design, well, anything! Don't give up. You may hate it now, but you already put a lot of effort into it; don't let that creative energy be wasted. You are, really, kind of a rock and roll star.
elise at lusciousdepravity dot com
lusciousdepravity.com/wordpress
I have been reading your blog for almost a year ... not sure where I heard about it originally.
I like it. It's not something I would wear but it looks very nice on your model and she looks very happy to be wearing it.
I'm enjoying reading your blog. You are talented in your knitting and with your writing. I'll keep reading.
I like the colors a lot!
Entrelac? it looks very difficult. I'm a beginner knitter myself.
I think if you don't mind reworking it a bit that you could rip it to about your waist and work the pattern down until like, 2 inches before your pantsline, and work the entrelac down. that way it creates a border at the bottom to continue your visual interest in the entrelac pattern, and avoids the "hey look here!"
I would wear it that way, methinks!
My blog gets no traffic...
http://pmoys.independentchaos.com/blog/?p=52
I think I heard about this via livejournal!
It's really NOT that bad. I wouldn't wear it, because I can't wear that green. I like the length. This is what I would do:
1. Get rid of the blue ruffles. They don't go with the jacket.
2. Knit full-length sleeves. Make a single-row entrelac border.
3. Do away with the zipper. Leave it an open cardigan. Knit an entrelac border down the front.
4. If you do a hood, as someone suggested, do an entrelac border around it to tie to the one down the front. If you don't do a hood, do an entrelac border around the neckline to tie to the one down the front.
5. Now that I've given you all that entrelac to knit, I think you should take it off the bottom, and either do a single row as a border or finish with a hem - no ribbing . I'd vote for the latter, I think, but you could see what looks best. If you don't do an entrelac border, you could do entrelac patch pockets. That might work and, if not, you'd have two entrelac potholders.
You did a great job making the sweater. I would never attempt it. The last complicated sweater I made is still not finished after twenty years.
I'd love to know what you decide.
Overall, I like it. I do have a few comments to make though.
1) It looks like it should have a hood. In fact, in the front-view photo, I thought it did have a hood. Maybe this is my bias for hoodies, but I think it would look great with a hood. If it were me, I would create the hood with the green color in the basic stitch, but perhaps on the sides or back use the contrasting colors and make a diamond OR! you could emboss a diamond like pattern into it (with using purl/knit contrast). That'd look really nice, IMO.. subtle, yet carrying on with the theme.
2. Is there any waist-shaping? While I like the actual construction on the garment, it doesn't appear there is much in the way of shaping so it kind of just hangs and doesn't flatter the figure much. I would do something to increase shaping or even use contrasting colors and patterns to draw the eye in, giving the illusion of shaping.
3. I think something needs to be done with the sleeves. Make them shorter, longer or maybe just more fitted, but that length of sleeve is not attractive on anyone.
4. Do something to break up the colorwork on the back. It's BEAUTIFUL, but since it's just all in one block, it makes the torso look very boxy. I also think waist-shaping would help this, but as is.. a bit boxy.
5. On the front, I love the colorwork and think it brings a lot of visual interest, but you might want to balance this out by putting some additional colorwork around the collar area. Not a lot, maybe just 1-2 "lines" of the colors. This should help bring a persons attention to your neckline/face instead of instantly to .. well.. your 'lady area'.
Like I said, overall, I really like it. There are many more positive things about it than negative, and I think with a couple of design tweaks, it could be a phenomenal piece!
I forgot.. my blog is http://m0rbidm00n.blogspot.com/ and I came across this post via an LJ post. :)
First of all, you are too cute. Seriously, you are simply adorable. Second, I really love the sweater. I love entrelac and domino knitting and you've really shown it off here. I LOVE the way the entralac wraps around the front. I would wear this, though there are a few tweaks I would make. I would like to see some side shaping, probably worked into the front solid panels. Just a few decreases on either side of the middle to pull it in at the waist. This would also show off the way the back pattern wraps around to the front as well. I would lose the ruffle down the front. the color there is great, maybe a little busy, but it gives it character. Its the unevenness that gives me pause. The back is so well done, you follow it around to the front and there is this uneven line - it doesn't work.
I hope you keep going with this! I think it has great potential, and would love to knit the finished product. I would definately pay for the pattern!
I saw the link to this on LJ, my blog is blacksheepknits.blogspot.com, email telizas at gmail dot com. Keep knittin sistah!
An amazing piece of work, and I like it with these few exceptions:
1. Lose the piping on the zipper. A solid block of nnbroken color would look better to me.
2 That said, I'd cary the entrelac down from the shoulders - you have three triangles from the neck band - I'd add two diamonds then one.
3 Three quarter or full length sleeves, with no contrast piping. The contrast piping is too harsh a cutoff, and adds a bulky ridge that just doesn't look right. I think a hemmed sleeve rather than ribbed, since you could keep the straigh line and not pull in at the cuffs.
Getting back to what I like about it.
1. The A-line shaping.
2. The colors are wonderful!
3. The wraparound at the hem is clever and distinctive.
4. The model is a cutie too!
You've got a great concept here, don't abandon it. Most of all congrats on the bravery to invite criticism.
Forgot to mention, I posted to my blog here:
http://kitten-with-a-whiplash.blogspot.com/2009/02/weekly-dash.html
1.1 I really like how your jacket looks from the back. The entrelac is a really boho look, and I think it's unique and cool. Also, I like how the entrelac panels come around to the front. Did I mention the entrelac was my favorite part of your sweater?
As for wearing it, I think that I would, in a different colorway, with a few alterations...
1.2 I do like the short sleeves in the picture, but I'd probably change it to long sleeves, and also add a hood (not in entrelac) and make it a very funky hoodie. OR, I would keep the short sleeves/no hood, and add more waist shaping in the front. Also, if I were going that route, I'd shorten it by about 3 or so rows of entrelac, so that it falls more at your hipline.
1.3 That's up to you. Personally, I've found that if I'm really upset at any project, it's better to put it down for a while. I say this, because I think it'd be a really cool/fun sweater/jacket/hoodie, and I don't want you peer-pressured to finish it by a bunch of people on the internet. :)
2. My email is goddess (dot) sue (at) gmail (dot) com. And, my blog is at goddesssue13.wordpress.com .
3. Found here
4. I followed your link over from the LJ knitting community.
I think full length sleeves will go a long way towards balancing the jacket out while also making it more functional.
I found you via a link through the WordPress tag surfer.
Good colors, nice yarn.
I think the color blocking and lack of shaping is unflattering -- I think if the entrelac bits in front were pointed towards your waist it would give a more flattering look, especially if you also added waist shaping.
Agree with others about the sleeves and front piping.
Hey! I saw this on LJ knitting community and wanted to share my thoughts.
Firstly, I LOVE the idea of this sweater. I love the entrelac/diamond pattern on the back and the sides of the front (apparently I do not have as dirty a mind as I thought 'cause "vagina" was the last thing from my mind). I love the length and the length of the sleeves.
Yet, I do agree...there is something kind of off...not completely off but just some things that could make it better or more cohesive or whatever. My first thought here were the sleeves. I don't like the way they curl up at the edges and seem to flare up. I would prefer something more plain so it doesn't distract from the beautiful entrelac pattern. I don't mind the way the front closure sort of ruffles, but having it a different colour than the green makes it pop out too much and distract my eye again. As for colours, I really like those colours but I think if it were me, I'd put a neutral colour in there like white or beige or something instead of one of the other colours. I would really really like this for example, in white, black, and pink (or blue, or green...but definitely the black and white).
Definitely, definitely, don't give up! I think you've got something great started here. Even as it is, even though I would PREFER it with my changes, I would still love it a lot. Say you keep going and make something even better, well, I think you'd have something there that I'd not only love but would want to wear A LOT.
Good luck! I'm very impressed so far.
-project_memes on livejournal
I think it's beautiful. The detail on the back especially is really unique and eye-catching. My suggestion would be altering the button band to make it a little smoother where the two parts join in the front. It's great work!
It's not that bad. The problem I see is with the armholes or lack of sleeves. I would add sleeves in the body color that are slightly belled at the wrists which should add visual balance to the sweater. I don't have a blog so I hope that doesn't eliminate me from the contest. I heard about your contest on wiknit.
Chrissy at knittodayAThotmailDOTcom
sorry you are so discouraged about your creative work. there are so many fascinating parts of it, making it really unique.
i love its frills and especially its direction .. all zero-ing in like a map on our all important anatomy .. great job!!!!
diane
fraid2fly1@yahoo.com
ok, I wouldn't have thought Vagina until you said it - but looking at it from that angle here's what I think ...
I actually do like the jacket, it is NOT THAT BAD - it's actually qute impressive, although it's not the type of thing I would wear - but I know lots of knitters who would love it.
So don't lock it up - don't get rid of it - it's an impressive piece of art (and hey, your professor was impressed)!!
I'm think the ruffle along the zipper might be part of the V-issue - maybe turning that into a simpler placket kind of thing?
Then I'd say have the entreloc on the front end farther towards the side seams so as not to create as much of a visual line drawing your eye towards the .. well crotch. And I do agree with turngin it into a cardigan.
Lastly, I agree with others - the sleeves look unfinished, like you ran out of yarn.
I do love the entrloc back- it's great! I really like the length and the colors - they go well together. A bit of adjusting and it'll be perfect! :) But really it doesn't matter why we dont' like it - it's what you like/dislike about it that matters!!
Good luck!!
Yup - get rid of the vertical front frills, add sleeves and either a hood or a fold-over collar. Otherwise, it's actually quite impressive. You should be proud!
1. I love the jacket. I love the colors and think that if they were brighter less people would be able to carry it off. It would also go well in neutral shades. I would wear the jacket in this color and in other shades as long as it was shorter. That length would make me look yucky, so if I made it, I'd need it to be shorter! I'm a little afraid of it, though, because that looks like a LOT of entrelac!
2. As far as improvements, I would suggest that you give information for different lengths and make sure the pattern had good darting information for women of various boob sizes. This will make it much more adaptable and people might be more willing to buy the pattern and start the jacket if it will be more easily customizable to their body. I'd also have used the pink for the ruffle on the zipper (it would stand out more) and all the colors on the front of the shoulders. It was hard to see the shoulders in the photo, though, so I could be wrong about thinking that.
3. I like it, but you sound miserable. If you're that sad, I'd stop working on it (at least for a few weeks!).
I don't have a blog, so I can't leave my blog info (or a link), so I realize that I won't count towards the contest. But my email is jennyknits at gmail.
hey, nice! i have not ventured farther than fingerless gloves for designing yet!
I love the design and colors! I can so see me wearing this with a long sleeve t under it. The one thing i am not sure on is the trim around the zipper. (it is hard to see in the picture) but it looks kind of frilly. With so much else going on i think a simple flat edge would not take away from the entrelac. Beautiful!! kudos to you!
I like the back- fully done in entrelac. The front does not look right to me. The wavery front line where the zipper(?) is looks odd as does the color change on the shoulders. And the short sleeves with the long length isn't working for me either. I'd make it shorter, with long sleeves. Probably do the whole body in the diamonds and maybe do solid sleeves. A hood would be a nice option, but not required.
I like the colors that you chose.
It might be worth it to rework the pattern into something that you love, just for a happy ending to the creative experience. But if you're not really into the "process" of it all you might as well just move on to a new design.
Good luck with your decision!
In all fairness, I've never designed anything so with that said...
I'm not a fan of entrelac. I don't particularly like it on the back and I think it looks heavy. I also think maybe it could use some shaping around the waist area.
It's hard to tell, but do the sleeves mimic the ribbon effect around the zipper? If so, that's cool. If not, I think that would be nice.
It's not horrible at all!
I like the colours you use. The front with entrelac is great.
What I would chance? I don't like the edge around the zipper too much. The different colour is ok, but you could chance the form. I would also make sleeves to it. While I like the back, maybe it would be more interesting if it had also areas with one colour, as the front. Also, the garment looks quite heavy, so maybe you could make it a jacket instead of sweater.
And yes, with these changes I could wear it.
I mention your post in my blog:
http://colibridreams.blogspot.com/2009/02/elfish-sweater-and-other-knits.html
And I found you from WiKnit (http://www.wiknit.blogspot.com/)
Good luck with your work, I think you should definitively go on with it!
This blog was recently featured on SweepsAdvantage.com. Check out some of our clothing sweepstakes!
www.sweepsadvantage.com/search.php?keyword=clothing
Good luck to everybody who enters the contests!
I like this jacket, the colors mesh well for me, and I like th eway the diamond are not all the way up the front of the jacket.
One thng I am not fond of is the way the blue on the front ripples, I might leave the zipper out and use a shawl pin to close or find a diffente closure so the ripples disappear.
BTW, I like the short sleeves and the v-neck :-)
Definitly keep going!
I am posting to my blog right now :-)
My blog- http://toknitandwrite.blogspot.com/
You said be honist so here it goes:
Love the concept, but the diamonds going back and forth make he backside look HUGE! see about making the diamond go up and down instead.
Name is great, keep it.
the ruffle around the zipper is just... I don't know, but I don't like it.
It is a very long shirt with a zipper for being a short sleeved thing. either shorten the thing up and lose the zipper or add to the sleeves.
If you don't want to try to salvage it you can always felt it up and make a tote...
click my username for my blog and my email is:
mrs (dot) elizabeth (dot) may (at) gmail (dot) com
I heard about you via Wiknit.blogspot.com
I can't believe I'm doing this to a COMPLETE stranger. BUT, that's the kind of comments I like, so here goes.
I'm glad your prof. was impressed. The workmanship is beautiful.
However, it's too many styles in one, for my tastes. I agree with many that have said that it's unflattering, and that's my biggest beef....but then again, I'm pretty overweight. The Vagina (which I LOVE the name) makes the chest pop out, but not in a good way. The ruffling on the zipper and the sleeves are distracting...the enterlac is beautiful....but it needs to stand alone. But...it is bulky and unflattering....so there I go running in circles.
I think I'd whack off the sleeves, use them for straps and go for a tote. It was one of those fab ideas in the head that just didn't work out in reality. I have zillions of those to my name.
I like the colors, but I think you should just make the thing into a tote bag. My friends and I did that as a Girl Scout project years ago (we're now all in college) and it's not too difficult.
Good luck!
LilChickadee122@gmail.com
1. I love the back of the jacket. And wow! The amount of work you put into this is jsut breath taking!
2. I personally do not like short sleeved sweaters. So if this were mine, I would make the sleeves long and put a deep matching entralac cuff on them.
3. I do not like the edging on the front - what is that- zipper? I would get rid of that
4. If you absolutely hate it and want to get rid of it - after putting so much work into it - either (as someone else suggested) turn it into a pillow - a totebag - or the center of an afghan!
I found out about this from the Knitting Contest site.
Oh for the love of the enter button, I stink at putting my return info on these things.
I just talked about you in my latest blog. Sorry I'm such a flake!
kadezmom AT yahoo DOT com
kadezmom.blogspot.com
So, please tell us what you decide to do!!!
Hello....I am here to give my opinion....NOW I am a new knitter, but an experienced crocheter, and have designed clothing in crochet....
I like the basics of the jacket...I do not like the "ruffle" on the zipper, and infact would take the zipper out. I would make long sleeves, with a cuff at the wrists. I would make more of a collar. maybe a ribbing type collar. I would not put any closure on the front, BUT instead would add to it slightly so that you could then put a tie belt on it. that would help take away from some of the bulkiness on the back. I LOVE the colors, I am into color and like my creations to have lots of it....I really think it is worth saving and working on to make it wearable......
basilwendy (at) yahoo (dot) com
I really love the back of the jacket, but I see what you mean by the 'vagina jacket'. Maybe a plain front, or entrelac pockets. And I also think long sleeves would look better. I don't think you need the zipper either - it would look good open. It's a wonderful design and must have taken hours to do, so don't give up on it!
I think the colours are absolutely beautiful. And I love the diamond pattern a lot. Now, I don't know how heavy the jacket is, but it looks quite heavy, so I guess it's something to put over a blouse or something - and this makes me think slight feelting. I think that would make the back a bit more jacket like from the back.
I think the front is a bit busy for my liking - it's beautiful to let the diamonds crawl round the waistline, but I think the ruffled edge at the zipper and the blue shoulders is perhaps a tiny bit too much. I'd try to do it all green, make the sleeves a bit longer (elbow long? just under the elbow?) and then feelt it all slighly.
It's a beautiful design, really flattering with the waist and diamonds together, and in a firmer, felted version I'd really love it as a jacket.
And I love that you ask for help - I want to do this more often. Wauw, you are great. Hope you find a solution - but please don't rip it all :)
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