It took a serious, concerted effort the last couple of weeks, but I did manage to finish my Ithilien Brocade Jacket just in time to check it in at our state fair. My eldest daughter kept telling me that I should take that opportunity to display it, no matter what happened in the judging. Such support and confidence must be heeded, so I submitted the entry form, without being entirely sure whether or not I could make the deadline. It appears that I am not yet too old to pull an all-nighter! I finished steam-blocking it just in time to shower and get to work, then sewed on the buttons over my lunch hour, and took it to the fairgrounds.
But a few minutes before that, I snapped a few pictures on the easy chair in my office. You know, just in case…
Front view
... and back view
I did wear it for a few minutes, and was gratified that it fit well! The cabled gussets at the lower back and sides turned out to be a good way to create shaping while knitting the leaf-patterned sections in (mostly) straight panels. The trickiest parts turned out to be mitering the cables at the front neck to form the collar, and deciding how to finish the unattached cable ends at the bottom of the front border and at the back neck. I wonder if my sleep-deprived state made it slightly more difficult than it would have been otherwise?
Once I get it back from the fair display, I’ll take more closeup pictures and document some of the techniques I used, and share the chart for the leaf pattern. We have a photo shoot planned, too, but in the meantime, I’m relaxing!
Oh, yes, the judging…
Best Of Show!
Congratulations!!!!
But then again – the judges would have to blind not to award Ithilien with the “best of show” prize:)
You are such an awesome knitter, and this prize was really well deserved!!!
By: heidi on September 13, 2009
at 4:04 pm
Yea!!!!!
By: Carolyn on September 13, 2009
at 4:37 pm
She was actually surprised it won…I was not! Pictures truly do not do it justice.
~ the eldest daughter
By: Briony on September 13, 2009
at 6:25 pm
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By: Joanne on September 14, 2009
at 8:04 am
(Coming over from KBTH)…I can certainly see why your daughter pressured you into entering this and that it received Best of Show! This is one of the most gorgeous pieces I have seen in a very long time. Congratulations!
By: Nancy on September 14, 2009
at 8:42 am
This really a one-of-a-kind jacket and I followed your way of designing and making it. It simply is beautiful! The prize was more than logical, or?
Best wishes and congratulations!!!
By: Margarete on September 14, 2009
at 8:46 am
too beautiful for words! congratulations!
By: Laritza on September 14, 2009
at 12:03 pm
(coming over from KBTH) I am so glad you shared this with us! It is truly beautiful, what a wonderful job you did. I am glad your daughter pushed you a bit because you deserved the Best in Show and all the accolades you receive (and then some). I bet you can’t wait for the cooler weather to wear this.
By: Debbie on September 14, 2009
at 1:56 pm
your sweater is drop dead gorgeous!
By: vanessa on September 14, 2009
at 2:47 pm
It is beautiful. I still don’t know how you ever figured it all out. You truly deserved best of show. It has been fun and interesting watching it grow. So, what’s next?
By: Teresa on September 15, 2009
at 6:56 pm
Next?? Well, I have a couple of designs in my head and on paper that are itching to come to life… but nothing as complex as this one! I’m considering writing actual pattern instructions for those. But first, I’m starting a sweater and a baby blanket from someone else’s patterns!
By: prairiespinner on September 17, 2009
at 11:52 am
It’s so very beautiful! I got a lump in my throat looking at it.
By: Lia on September 16, 2009
at 4:46 am
Such beautiful work. Congratulations on your well deserved win.
By: Re on September 16, 2009
at 2:30 pm
It is a masterpiece! The colors, the pattern, all just perfect. Congratulations Sharon. Take it to a larger venue or publish.
By: Deb on September 17, 2009
at 9:03 pm
Congratulations!!!!
I’m not surprised you won Best in Show!
I’m SO glad. Well Done!!
Excellent job!
By: KiniaCat on September 18, 2009
at 12:46 am
Are you willing to share the chart? I love the leaves and cables thing, and could totally see using it in other kinds of garments.
By: Aimee on September 27, 2009
at 8:00 pm
Congratulations! The award is well deserved!
By: Susan on September 30, 2009
at 6:27 pm
Sharon, what an impressive piece! I think I’ll just put down my needles. I could never do such wonderful work. Congratulations on best in show.
By: Eileen on October 14, 2009
at 7:16 am
Late to the party, but well done!
By: mary jane on December 3, 2009
at 12:37 pm
Thanks! And the door is always open!
By: prairiespinner on December 9, 2009
at 12:22 pm