Thursday 3 April 2014

Like Buses....






When I like something in crochet, I tend to make it to death. If I make a pretty doily or egg cosy, i'll go on to make another ten. I guess whilst the pattern is fresh in my head and my enthusiasm is right on up there, then it stands to reason to make more and not just leave it at one.

So, I present my third Rosa Silk Cowl Sweater.




I had a couple of balls of the MOST PERFECT YARN........EVER. 

It was Sierra Andina by Adriafil (shade 13 if you're interested). This yarn is luxurious to say the least. 100% extra fine alpaca in the most glorious shade of turquoise....one of my most favourite shades.

With two 50g balls in November, I thought long and hard what to make with them. I ended up making the most gorgeous pair of wrist warmers here . Wow, they were the loveliest pair of wrist warmers I think I have EVER made. Their softness and warmth was second to none. With the leftovers I added a turquoise trim to a scarf and hat and I revelled in just how wonderful that yarn really was.



My mother-in-law, being a yarn lover also, and the one to have tracked down this yarn, in this wonderful shade in the first place, very kindly gave me some more for christmas.




Again, I thought long and hard about what I wanted to make with it. It was far too lovely to make anything hastily. I had in mind a shawl. Not just any shawl. A super, spectacular, opulent shawl. It was what this yarn deserved. So, decision made, as soon as I had the time, that is what I would make with it.

However....

...falling completely in love with the two Rosa Silk Cowl Sweaters that I made, I knew that this yarn would make a seriously dreamy one too.



I had enough yarn, so I set about making my third. This yarn was beautiful to the touch, although, I must admit, it was soooooo soft and sooooooo fine, that I tended to grip my fingers harder on the yarn tail as I just couldn't feel it that well....it was THAT soft to the touch. That aside, my excitement levels were hitting the roof as I was making it. 

All three sweaters are different. Different yarns have made them completely different...and I love that.



For this one, I added a couple of extra side repeats to keep it wide and loose. I wanted boxy and swingy (almost poncho-y) rather than fitted and close. I used a 4mm hook and used 11 50g balls in total.

It's amazing to wear. Soft and luxurious to the touch. Also, for something so 'holey', it's warm to wear, and i've had several compliments on it, so it can't be that bad.




I'm chuffed and not disappointed that the yarn didn't make it to being a shawl. I think it will get more use this way.

It looks great with jeans and wellies for field walks, it gives just the right amount of warmth for a mild evening. I also teamed it with a pale pink skirt which worked well too, so i'm happy it's a wardrobe hopper.

I think I am done now though with that pattern. I feel satisfied and ready to move on to something else.

It's here if any one is interested.

So....what next?.......

xxx


57 comments:

  1. It is lovely! The design is so pretty and the colour is beautiful, so perfect for spring, and it does indeed look as though it will be nicely swingey when you wear it. I wonder if you will make another one or if you will ever make a shawl with this yarn!! xx

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  2. It's beautiful Vanessa, so many teeny, tiny intricate little loops and stitches.
    I think I'm a bit the same that if I find a pattern or a design I like I tend to go a bit bonkers with it. But hey, nothing wrong with that.
    I'm sure in no time at all your head will be full to bursting with the next project.
    I have started WIP No 3 this morning .... just couldn't resist . One little colour inspiration got everything going and it had to be started straight away !
    Have a lovely day,
    Kate x

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  3. Gorgeous work Vanessa, what a beautiful colour, one of my favourite too. I wonder what you will make next? Have a lovely day, Julie xx

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  4. that's just so lovely and I'm with you on the colour. Amanda x

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  5. Beautiful work and the color! Oh!
    Have a nice spring days
    Jarka

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  6. Beautiful... I love this color:)

    Regards.

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  7. I cannot get over how amazingly talented you are. I have never met anyone who manages to not only start but finish so many projects in such quick succession but with such fantastic results. You have shown me what I thought as a boring old-fashioned hobby as an actually versatile, contemporary and very wearable technique for using beautiful yarns. Thank you for removing my blinkers. Philippa xx

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  8. Love your blog! Could drool over your pics til the cows come home! xxx

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  9. Gosh, that's so pretty! I always love everything you make and always enjoy seeing it. That yarn does look lovely.

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  10. Absolutely lovely Vanessa!! That is one of my favourite colours of all time!! Enjoy it!!
    I'm working on my celadon-coloured Nordic shawl at the moment... I did struggle to find the right colours for the accent lines but
    I hope it will be good in the end.
    Have a lovely weekend!
    Pati x

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  11. I love the color so much and it looks so soft as well. I think you will get tons more use out of this than a shawl...and it's gorgeous!

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  12. awww….. beautiful!!!!!!
    xxxxxx Ale

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  13. Absolutely beautiful. I didn't think I was a great fan of poncho style things but I could really be tempted by this one. Fantastic colour too. x

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  14. Oh My Gosh!
    I am practically having canniption fits over this gorgeous thing and cannot believe you have created 3 of them!
    WELL DONE my friend!
    The yarn is gorgeous and I love the color!!!!!
    So....What next indeed?!!!
    :-)))
    Danette

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  15. So beautiful in every way!
    Marianne x

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  16. HA! I am the same way. Whenever I enjoy something in crochet, I tend to go overboard with it too. I love this though. It's such a perfect pattern for something that will work from Spring until Autumn

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  17. It sooooooooo lovely
    Clare x

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  18. This sweater is fantastically fabulous, and so is the colour! I had it bookmarked already, but now I'm definitely going to give it a go. Thank you so much for the beautiful things you make and the inspiration you give!

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  19. Absolutely gorgeous!!! I loved your other two....but this is so cheerful and pretty!!
    You clever gal!

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  20. My my my! This is a wonderful one! This will brighten any grey day...I'm more and more tempted to try this pattern, I love the idea of it not sliding off my shoulders like a shawl...ok, yes, that's it, I'm off to get it! Pink! I'll make it in a soft soft pink! Chrissie x

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  21. It's lovely, you have done justice to that beautiful wool. I imagine it looks wonderful on. I'm a huge fan of shawls etc. as well, they are just perfect.

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  22. Oh goodness me, it's STUNNING. The yarn, the colour, the pattern, everything, I want to make one right now. I was just saying to my friend yesterday that knitting is better than crochet when it comes to clothing but I think you may have just proved me wrong. x

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  23. Absolutely stunning Vanessa and so beautifully made. I'm completely in love with the colour and the pattern. Have a lovely weekend.
    Jane x

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  24. Oh dear... You are so funny. But this one is really springy and lovely. I'm tempted to try this pattern. I love the style and as it is in plain color it seems to be the perfect TV watching (listening) make. Maybe while we watch the final of The Voice. Lets see what type of yarn I got hidden in my closet...
    Happy weekend
    Annette
    My Rose Valley

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  25. I love this,so pretty, would dearly love to try this
    Bet it looks great on too
    Karen x

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  26. This is the loveliest cowl sweater I have ever seen! Gorgeous!

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  27. So so gorgeous and so lovely to hear you revelling in the yarn's yummyness.
    Tracey xx

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  28. Beautiful! And the color.......! I do the same thing with a good pattern, make it to death! Thanks for sharing.
    Sheila
    http://sheilazachariae.blogspot.com/2014/03/on-my-needlesknitting-in-technicolor.html

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  29. It is beautiful, and the colour is toooo divine for words!
    Pat :) Sunshine and a Sewing Basket

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  30. I love the colour of this one too, and it looks so nice and soft too. It sounds like we are complete opposites on that front though, I generally can't bear the idea of making something more than once! But I have to say, you've got 3 very different and gorgeous looks from this same pattern. :)

    S x

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  31. Its beautiful Vanessa! Both the style, the crochet stitch pattern, and of course the colour - simply gorgeous!
    Gill xx

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  32. It's really wonderfull
    I try to make one, Thanks !!!!!

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  33. Move in and make me things?

    xxx

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  34. The pattern says to use two strands held together. Is that what you did? It's so beautiful in that colour and yarn I might have a go at it myself! Gorgeous work!

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  35. this is absolutely drool worthy! It looks so sweet and feminine! How lovely! Xox

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  36. Oh yes, the pattern and yarn is absolutely to die for! Looking forward to seeing the 4th one too ;-)

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  37. This is absolutely gorgeous....and so are your photos!
    Helen xox

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  38. Hahaha
    I'm knitting my 21st moss stitch beanie in 3 months. I've made one for every friend & neighbour. And then some for me too.
    I know how it is when you like a pattern. I know it by heart now.
    Xoxo

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  39. Hi Vanessa! Um...a bit too much tea perhaps? I thought I was a tea drinker but you beat me hollow! But your work....it is just sooooo ...beautiful is not enough......awesomely awesome. Everytime I visit your blog I find something gorgeous. I hope and pray that one day I can do lovely lovely work such as your cowl necked poncho. Sighhh!

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  40. That is absolutely stunning! It's my favourite colour too, so it has extra stun-factor for me!! I think I will need to pluck up the courage to get some really nice yarn and give that a go...

    http://inpursuitoftheworthwhile.blogspot.co.uk

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  41. I've just discovered your blog, and I'm really happy I have - this sweater is seriously beautiful!!

    Sarah x
    hometoroostblog.wordpress.com

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  42. Hello!! I've just come across this and it's exactly what I've been looking for!! The problem is I don't know how to read a pattern chart...do you have this written out somewhere somehow?? Any help would be appreciate!d!! Thank you - Lorraine

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    1. Hi Lorraine,

      I'm afraid I don't have any written patterns for this sweater. I really struggle with written patterns, which was why I loved this pattern so much as it was easy for me to read and make! Lots of Japanese patterns have diagrams (which is the only way I can make them!). I haven't come across any written instructions for it either. I'm so sorry I could be of more help to you. : )

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  43. Hi Vanessa!

    After your raving about this pattern, I bought some yarn, downloaded that pattern and started crocheting (I'm very very slow! It takes ages!). I am determined to make this happen!! Did you use two strands, as the pattern suggested? My crocheted front looks so... solid compared to yours...

    greetings from Istanbul,
    Marleen

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    1. Hi Marleen,

      I didn't use two strands as the pattern suggested. I added a couple of extra rows to make it more swingy and to my liking. The yarn I used was very soft and drapey and with a 4mm hook it worked up very drapey too. I made three in total, all in different yarns and they all came out differently, but I liked each one. If you are using two strands and haven't gone too far, maybe try a little bit in one strand and see if you like it better, then re-try in just one strand.....or maybe go up a hook size to get it less firm and more drapey. Also, perhaps blocking it at the end will loosed it up and make it appear not so solid. I hope any of these suggestions can help you. Have a super rest of a day : )

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  44. Need help with the diagrams...I take it that the oval is a single crochet...what is the + (a single crochet done in an existing single?).....what are the straight lines (double or triple crochet?)

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    1. Hi,

      Yes, the oval is sc, and the + is a sc in an existing sc. The line with one cross is a double. Two line crosses would be a treble and 3 line crosses would be a double treble. (US terms)

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  45. Is this pattern available for use..I love it

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    1. Hi there, yes it is. If you click the 'here' link at the bottom of the post, it takes you to the pattern page. On the pattern page you then just click if you want the English pattern or other and it will take you there. I hope this helps! : )

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  46. When I got to ravalry to copy the pattern, the screen went to a wierd screen, not the one with this pattern. Is there another way to get this pattern?

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    1. Hi Rhonda,
      When you click on the Ravelry link to the free pattern, it takes you to the pattern site full of pictures of each pattern. If you scroll down to the picture of the Rosa cowl pattern and click on it, it will show you the pattern. It’s a chart pattern and not a written one. I hope this helps : )

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  47. Hello,

    This sweater is so beautiful! I would love the pattern, but when I click on the link to Ravelry, and then on the free pattern link, it appears to go to a magazine site with many patterns and I cannot find this particular one! Could you please help me find the pattern, or could you sent me the pattern? Thank you!

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    1. Hi Michelle, I just followed the link and could find the pattern. I thought maybe the pattern wasn't available anymore as the post was a while ago, but it is still there. If you follow the link from the ravelry page where it says 'this pattern is free' it takes you to a page with lots of pictures. Just click on the picture of the sweater (about halfway down the page I think) and the PDF pattern will come up for you. I hope this helps. x

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    2. I tried again but cannot find it. The link on tge Ravelry page keads to a 404 page not found error. I am desperate for this pattern. Could someone please send it to me?? Pretty please??

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    3. Hi Michelle,

      I'm sorry.....at the time of replying to you, the link was still up there. I've just had a look on Ravelry and it seems the website now no longer exists in the link. They must have just taken it down the site which is a shame. Please comment here again with your email address. I have had a search to see if I still have the pdf pattern from when I made it and I managed to find it. I won't publish your comment with your email address but will be able to send you the pdf privately through it. I hope this will help!

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