Shine Jacket

Finally finished!

 

Shine Jacket by Louisa Harding, size 38.25"

Knitting magazine, August 2009, Issue 66

Glisten yarn: 6 skeins

Needles: Sizes 8 & 10

Mods: None, though instead of crocheting the trim to seam it, I used mattress stitch

Here is a not-so-great photo to give you some idea of fit. I purposely knit one size up, and it still seems small to me.

 

When I started this project late last summer, it seemed like the perfect little shrug to have as a coverup, since I am always cold. It quickly became apparent that the yarn was going to be miserable to knit. For one thing, it slides off the ball, so you have to keep a rubber band on it, taking off maybe a yard at a time to work. That will then twist on you, and so you then have to stop and unwind it, or you'll end up with a version of the old telephone cords hanging from your needles to the ball. But the thing that frustrated me most, and nearly stopped me from finishing the project, is this:

 

The yarn catches on absolutely everything. As careful as I tried to be, and even wore gloves when I seamed the trim, it caught and snagged on itself! It was so disappointing to realize that I probably wouldn't wear it much before it became too fuzzy, and one catch on a rough chair edge or seatbelt, and it will be done. 

This has been a bittersweet project; the best I can say is that it's finally out of the knitting bag. If you decide to knit the shrug, be sure to triple check the measurements, since it's a British pattern and the conversion may not be what you'd expect. I still like the design, and it's a quick knit, but whatever you do, do not use Glisten yarn if you want it to last a few wearings.

On a happier note, bike racing season started last Sunday:

 

Chris is in the middle, in a new black and red team kit. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we were all thrilled to be outside to enjoy it! Tomorrow's race is supposed to be rainy, so we're all a little nervous about the road conditions. Good luck to the racers, and I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Comments

[Kara]

Some knits really make your earn it, huh? I can totally see Shine over a cute spring dress or it is cute layered like you have it.

[Kristen]

It is a very cute pattern, but it's true, some yarns are pretty but can't stand up to the realities of everyday life.

Too bad tomorrow's weather will not be any match for last week's. Bring a huge umbrella!

[Sara]

I like your Shine Jacket - but, agree some yarns just wanna make ya scream when you have to work at knitting with them.

We are supposed to have bad weather too..

[Sarah]

I think Shine will look nice over a delicate summer top. Well done getting all that trim attached!!

[2paw]

Your bolero looks lovely but I am sad to read it is not very wearing-friendly wool. Kind of defeats the purpose.

[Danielle]

Your sweater is lovely--too bad it is as delicate as it looks. Still, it's quite pretty even if you'll have to choose where you wear it carefully. It's nice to see sunshine--hopefully we'll have some of that soon here, though at least most of our snow has melted! :)

[Chris]

Darn it - sorry to hear about the yarn being so delicate. :(

Cycling season already?! Not here. Most of the snow has melted, but until they do some street and trail sweeping to get the sand up, it's deadly out there.

[Dotty]

It looks lovely on you. I'm sorry to hear the yarn is so disappointing.

Good luck to Chris. My hubby just started training for his big long distance ride.

[Sydney]

It's a cute pattern. Too bad the yarn was so difficult to knit. At least it's done now.

[Meredith]

It looks very cute! Sorry the yarn was such a pain to knit with though. That's annoying!

[Julie]

You are a better person than I; I would have chucked the whole thing because of the yarn issues. It is cute, though; I really hope you get more than a few wearings out of it.

[Dorothy W.]

Well, I'm glad you've finished the project and don't need to worry about it anymore! Sorry it didn't turn out more like you wanted. I do like the way it looks!

[Jane]

It's always disappointing when something you've looked forward to making turns out to have problems. It looks cute on you, though.

[bettyc]

It doesn't look too small to me. It looks like a nice cover up for a summer evening.

[robin]

I actually like it, despite all the trouble it gave you!! I personally think it's cute that size too.