Sunrise

As I write, I'm settled on the sofa in the snug and cosy surrounds of this fabulous jacket. Wow- a finished garment that I do believe I'll be wearing a great deal (are such things as few and far between for everyone?).

So many people have already blogged about their Sunrise Circle Jackets- they've raved about the clever detailing, marvelled at the way that the front increases have been calculated to form perfectly radiating columns of stitches, and divulged the decision making put into fastening selections and placement. Photos from all angles abound. It's really hard to find something new to show or tell about it. I have to say Kate, I think you're a genius- I can't comprehend how you dreampt up and figured out the design. Amazing. Fun to knit. Delightful to wear.

The Vital Statistics:
Pattern: Sunrise Circle Jacket by Kate Gilbert, Interweave Knits Spring 2006 (available from their website for free download here, just in case you haven't knitted your own already..)
Size: 94cm chest
Yarn: Karabella Soft Tweed, as called for in the pattern, sent to me by Blossom (how's yours going?), Colour 1050, about 9.5 balls.
Needles: 4.5mm Ebony straights and 4.5mm Rosewood circulars (I love it when I get to use these needles!)

Pattern comments and thoughts:
Aside from the obvious "it's an amazing pattern to knit and really clearly written, Kate is a ganius" etc etc, I'll mention that I stitched down all the hems as I went from live stitches, instead of casting off; Tapestry yarn was used for all the seaming and hem stitching; and I went with three buttons- beautiful big conical bone buttons from Buttonmania (for a small fortune). The button hole loops I "enbroidered" (due to my soon to be conquered fear of the crochet hook) and are more straight bars, rather than loops, just on the rear side of the hem so that they're not too obtrusive when unbuttoned.

The fit is great- perfect size for me and the sleeves are exactly the length I like (quite amazing I think since my arms are a bit longer than average). The jacket does seem to flare around the bottom edge somewhat more than the most pics I've seen- maybe this is just my shape, or maybe it will settle down next time it gets washed and blocked. Even if the fit wasn't so great it would always be a very special handknit for me, with the memories and experience that is knitted into it.

(and you may not pick it from my self portrait shots, but not only is the fit flattering, but someone who matters thinks I look a little *ahem* sexy in it... [blush])