Wednesday, June 04, 2014

Aqua Perfection


Anna's Confirmation Pont Neuf


Pattern: Pont Neuf, from Twist Collective Spring-Summer 2013
Yarn: Zen Yarn Garden Serenity DK in Frosted Teal (4.25 skeins)
Needles: 2.5 and 3mm Addi Turbo
Gauge: (blocked) 23 sts 36 rows over 4"
Buttons: 1/2" lucite with rhinestone, from Button Button in Vancouver
Modifications: Had to add rows to the yoke area to make up for my row gauge. (Pattern calls for 32 rows over 4", and I was getting 36.) The extra rows also affected my lace panel pick-up - I had to pick up 103 instead of the prescribed 93.




I had to knit 2 all-nighters to finish this in time. Confirmation was pushed forward by a whole week, leaving me scrambling to finish it. 

I finished it on the Friday at 10 PM. I soaked it, spun it in the washer, squeezed it in a few towels, and pinned it out at midnight. 

I left it to dry most of Saturday, and on Saturday evening took the pins off and tried it on my daughter -- a little too tight. I had been using the measurements from a beloved garment of hers, but that particular sweatshirt is quite thin and that made a difference in size.

So, I sewed all the buttons on, laid it back on the carpet, and pinned it out with extra width - I really stretched the lace panel in particular. I took the steam iron and shot about 300 ml worth of water, in steam form, through the whole front panel. I cranked the ceiling fan on as high as it would go, and went to bed.

By morning, it was both dry and the perfect size. Relief! I unpinned it at about 9:40 and we had to be at church at 9:45.

Luckily, church is only 2 minutes away, so we were early and looked very composed.



The yarn -- wow. Zen Yarn Garden Serenity DK, 90% merino and 10% cashmere. I got it from Webs on sale in early May. I wish I could afford to knit a me-sized sweater in this yarn, but I'd need about 6 skeins and, at $33 per skein, regular-price, it must remain a dream. 

I can't say enough good things about it. It's soft, squishy, pearly, gentle on the hands, amazing yardage, blocks like a dream, glows in the light, has wondrous stitch definition, and is basically the yarn that all the angels have in their online carts, waiting for the day they get a pay raise.


The buttons were a last-moment find from the marvellous Button Button. So pretty, and just perfect for a girl of her age. There are 11 - 1/2" lucite shank buttons with a little rhinestone on the top of each one. This photo makes them look too blue - in fact they were greener in tone: a lovely pale robin's egg.




I loved this project. The pattern is utterly beautiful - I think it even beats Ruby's Fern for the title of nicest thing I've ever knit. Avery wants one - "In rosy pink," she specified firmly. 


Yay for finishing in time! And yay for that moment of harmony when gorgeous pattern meets celestial yarn.


7 comments:

Carolyn said...

Ooooh, pretty! And such a close shave on the timing.

Jeannette said...

Wow. Wow wow wow. It is lovely. Your daughter is lovely. (BOTH daughters are lovely.)
Thank you for sharing this.

Ames said...

Yet another Shantastic creation.

kristieinbc said...

It's a beautiful sweater, and suits your daughter perfectly. Well done you!

Susie Hewer said...

Lovely jumper in a lovely colour too.

Susie Hewer said...

Lovely jumper in a lovely colour too.

Gena said...

Wow, it looks fantastic! So glad you were able to stretch it enough to fit perfectly. The color is fabulous on your lovely daughter.