Bolero AUBERGINE!

Friday, October 14, 2005

Pattern: Bolero from Simply Soft by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Cashmerino Aran, 7 skeins + another couple yards
Gauge: 18 sts/4in on US8/5mm

Well, it's done, and it's...aight. I think I obsessed over this pattern for too long before buying it, like it was The Knit of the Century, and of course it's just a little bolero. I like it, I do. Just not head over heels for it, like I thought I'd be.

The Cashmerino, such a soft, beautiful yarn, seems sort of a waste on something like this. I know it's a bolero so it's not supposed to cover you completely, but when I was wearing this I kept pulling the front together to get more cozy cashmerino goodness around me, and I thought, why didn't I just make something with more cashmerino coverage? Something like a cabled cardigan or turtleneck, something snug and squishy, something like the toddler seed stitch and cable jacket, but longer?

Blah blah blah. Blah. Blah. I'm just down on Debbie Bliss patterns. As you are aware by now I'm sure. It's No More Bliss After Thiss!

I think it looks better "buttoned" at the front. See? Too bad it will never be buttoned. I do have a single eye and hook fastener I might try. Or I just might try to be happy with it as is and leave it alone.

Only thing of note on this project: I used Aran instead of Chunky weight yarn. I did no adjusting of the pattern to account for this, except to add a couple extra rows in the armhole shaping. This sizing still came out fine. And I used JUST over 7 skeins. The original pattern called for 11 of chunky. Look at me, I'm so economically sized.

The color is nice though, no? I call it aubergine. That's fancy talk for "eggplant" by the way. In fact the paint color of our dining room wall is aubergine profonde. That's fancy talk for "super PROFOUND eggplant."

Thank you Duck for all those super profound angle shots.

Comments [25]
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Thursday, October 13, 2005 10:38:37 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
i think it's an absolutely beautiful color ... i call it "eggplanet". i don't mind it doing its bolero thing --- being open ... i guess if you wanted it closed, then you could knit the debbie bliss "lara" cardigan from silk/alpaca book. it's very pretty, and a perfect fit!
Friday, October 14, 2005 1:14:49 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
Another pretty knit. It looks cute, being open. Here we call it "brinjal" colour!
Friday, October 14, 2005 3:04:12 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
Looks great on you and I really the color.
Friday, October 14, 2005 5:31:29 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
It looks great Li. Nice job.

You could also do a crochet button hole.
Friday, October 14, 2005 5:48:33 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
You look gorgeous in it! I love the color!
Friday, October 14, 2005 7:21:43 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
It is beautiful, and fits you so nicely! I made a sweater with Cashmerino Aran, and it was between this color and the rosy pink. Yours turned out just lovely ;)
Friday, October 14, 2005 8:06:09 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
nice, strike that pose! u can always use a nice pin/brooch to pin the front together.
Friday, October 14, 2005 8:33:28 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I think it looks great. Sure, add a crocheted buttonhole or the hook - if you think you will like it better that way - because it looks so nice on you, it would be a shame if you didn't wear it much because you are so-so on it.
Friday, October 14, 2005 8:55:45 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
Wow your Bolero looks super cute! I have been thinking about knitting that since the book came out, now after seeing how great yours turned out I'm going to have to knit it up! Have a great weekend!
Friday, October 14, 2005 9:48:58 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
i think you look great!! cute outfit, too. but i think what makes it perfect is your notes for this project. they are always fun to read! where did you get your jeans? i am all jean-crazed at the moment.
Friday, October 14, 2005 11:51:09 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I hope you come to love it more because it looks fabulous on you! The aubergine is lovely. I was going to suggest fastening it with a brooch, depending on whether you like to fuss around with that or not.
Friday, October 14, 2005 1:38:11 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I think it looks great, though I agree about the button. If you're all done with Debbie Bliss, how about selling me the book?:-) Email me if interested.
Friday, October 14, 2005 2:30:29 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
As always, it looks fabulous! Yay you!

Lizard
Friday, October 14, 2005 6:04:41 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
It does look wonderful on you! I finished mine last night but I haven't put any pictures up yet. I feel like I have extra material or something in the sides that looks a little saggy when I'm just standing around in it. When I pull it closed a bit, it looks good but, like, you said, no button.
Friday, October 14, 2005 7:37:36 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
That is a gorgeous piece! Really gorgeous. I can just imagine how lovely the fiber feels on and I'm so in love with the aubergine. Sweet!
Friday, October 14, 2005 9:12:08 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I LOVE THIS! Man, I always want to knit whatever you knit. :) You make everything look so easy! :)

Great job. The fit and color are perfect!
Sunday, October 16, 2005 6:14:35 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
this bolero is gorgeous on you! i really hope you change your mind about it. perfect colour, perfect style and perfect fit! well done.
Monday, October 17, 2005 1:02:36 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
That looks great on you! I agree with the others, a brooch or a button can be the "finishing touch" and you might like it better :-)
Monday, October 17, 2005 2:14:32 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I love it! The color is wonderful and it looks so great on you - either open or closed! You could always get a great brooch to close it with if you wanted - something vintage and fun.
Monday, October 17, 2005 6:29:46 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
girlfriend, you look pretty damn good in that bolero. Don't know where the dislike is coming from. And yes, we'll do a photocopy-for-photocopy swap. You need to email me your addy.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005 10:18:14 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
You should be a model. BTW, I'm going to get back into knitting. If I can remember how...
Saturday, October 22, 2005 5:33:31 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I think it looks great...I was thinking of knitting this one up myself and couldn't decide between using Aran or Chunky - I definitely like your choice of the Aran...nice job!
Tuesday, November 15, 2005 8:02:22 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I have been looking for a pattern just like your bolero. It is beautiful! you did a great job. wish me luck.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 11:27:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I'm just finishing this same sweater - question - did you think that the sleeve cap was too short? I've gone over and over the pattern and am sure that I did it right, but it's just a short, stubby cap that doesn't fit into the armhole. Maybe I'll read it again. Her patterns are not very well written, I must say.
-anne
Sunday, January 15, 2006 8:19:45 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
Wow, you have inspired me to give this a go! I think it looks fabulous. You wear it really well. Top stuff!
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