Sunday, September 18, 2011

Helpy Helpish

I've finished the Garden Jacket, but am completely stymied as to whether or not to add the pockets. Useful? yes. I need a place to keep Kleenex and Atavan. But it's not as pretty as I'd like.

Comment and tell me Yes or No on the pockets. Here are some photos to help you decide.
The sweater front "au naturel". Adorned only with a garden fork.

The sweater front with pocket in position. I had to mess with the colour so you could see the knitting better, so don't mind my freakish alien hand. In real life I am not a pale celadon hue.

I'm thinking if I end up putting them on, I will make some 3-stitch i-cord and sew it around the seam so it's nicer-looking.


And I have cast on another project. While standing in the knitting section of the library one day I turned a page in an interesting looking book, and stopped dead. "That's IT!" I hollered. "That's exactly what I need!" Within 24 hours I had been to the yarn store, bought some alpaca/wool, cast on, and was 14 inches in. I'll show you more later but right now it looks like nothing at all, so.

Here's a wee picture for you. Colour fairly true.


Tuesday is the five-year birthday of my blog. What a lot I have told you about over the years!

17 comments:

Gwen said...

I say, go for the pockets. They look swell, and a girl needs to keep her Kleenex and Atavan handy.

Read all the posts and bawled like an infant over the elementary school one. Glad you didn't link to the Best Blog Post In The Entire World, because I couldn't have handled it. Thinking of you this week.

Kate said...

I vote for pockets!

Dave Hingsburger said...

For some reason they almost never make fat men's shirts with pockets. I never have anywhere to put anything. POCKETS. I vote: POCKETS.

Anna said...

I vote no on the pocket. I think it's too small and looks out of proportion. Put it, or another pocket, on the inside. Clean line on the outside, kleenex on the inside.

clumsy ox said...

I'm no expert, but I'm liking the pockets. Having said that... Anna's suggestion has a great deal of merit: is there another pocket that would work better?

I know nothing about knitting (isn't it somehow related to head lice?), but I think the photo with the pocket looks better.

Susie Hewer said...

No to the pockets, as they look a bit messy and aren't very big, unless you go for the i-cord idea.

freedomnan said...

I think the pockets distract from the very cool garden notes. However, I do understand Kleenex. Therefore, an inside pocket is brilliant, or just tuck your Kleenex into your sleeve like I do! I couldn't be bothered to make I-cord for the pockets!

Ames said...

I like the idea of a pocket. Is there possibly a third option? I think it does look better with rather than without. However, that pocket does not look like to quite goes. Without the pocket, it seems to be missing something and off balanced. Maybe a differently shaped pocket or some other embellishment? Or, perhaps a fake pocket with a real pocket inside?

Baba Yaga said...

Pockets on reverse stocking stitch are tricky. I think I'd leave them off and add a side-seam pocket in the seam. A triangle on top of an oblong would give you a sensible shape, I think.

Annalea said...

You've got plenty of opinions on pocket vs. no pocket, so I'll refrain.

However . . .

In looking back to see the jacket as a whole (to remind myself what you'd be working with), am I the only one who thinks the model resembles you more than a little? ;o)

And I've changed my mind. I think the jacket needs the pockets to balance the collar and sleeves. But, that's just me.

Cynthia said...

I like the pockets -- useful, and it looks like the fork is about to dig in!

Alibeee said...

My mother always tucked her kleenex into her cuff (not sure where she put the Atavan), so pockets aren't always necessary. I think they would look alright though.
You can always add what's called an "Afterthought" pocket to the inside too:
Version I
Version II

It's not too difficult, and leaves a nice, clean front on your cardigan.

Alison

Alibeee said...
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Shan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shan said...

Hm. There's a lot to think about here.

I can't tuck the Kleenex into a sleeve because the sleeves are a little too loose. And they are 3/4.

I'm thinking about the afterthought pocket...thanks Alibeee...I've done them in sewing before ("welt"), so I'm familiar with the technique.


Good idea...

Anonymous said...

I am a lurker from Dave's blog, however, have enjoyed your writings for some time now - just wanted to wish you a Happy Blogiversary. oh, pockets.....always always pockets:) and Anna's idea is lovely!

lizbon said...

I rather like the look of the pocket, and it's obviously more useful than a nonexistent pocket, so...