Wednesday, January 09, 2008
FO: Greta Garbo Sweater
Marguerite: It's you. It's not a dream.
Armand: No, it's not a dream. I'm here with you in my arms, at last.
Marguerite: At last.
Armand: You're weak.
Marguerite: No, no. Strong. It's my heart. It's not used to being happy.
-Camille, 1936
No, I haven't taken to my bed with consumption, I'm just doing my best impression of Marguerite from Camille. In fact, I feel quite the opposite, a celebration is in order as I've finally finished my Greta Garbo sweater. I started the sweater in April and just added the finishing touches this week.
The stitch pattern made this an interesting knit, but my favorite parts of the sweater are the details. The pockets, cuffs, button band and collar all have a beautiful edging with a contrasting plum knit into just a few rows. They all make this sweater so special. To really finish it off, I found the perfect buttons over at Windsor Button.
This is, by far, the most sophisticated thing I've knit. It feels good wearing it and I've already received compliments. In fact, the best compliment was from a stylish coworker. She stopped a conversation mid-sentence to let me know she liked the sweater and was going to ask me where I bought it when I told her I had made the sweater.
Greta Garbo Sweater by Bill Gibb, from Hollywood Knits (out of print)
The pattern is based on a sweater Greta Garbo wore in a publicity photo.
Needles: Size 3 and 5
Yarn, 13 skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed
I really enjoyed knitting something that nobody else had done. Well, I'm sure someone out there has made this sweater, but I couldn't find any evidence of it on the Internet and that means it's never been knit, right? If you come across this sweater anywhere, let me know! It was exciting to see exactly how this sweater would turn out as I really had nothing to compare it with. As I mention above, the pattern is based on a sweater Greta wore, but there's no picture in the book of the sweater knit up from the pattern they created, just a crazy sketch of what it should look like.
Of course now that I've talked about how great it is to knit something nobody has knit you'll laugh when I tell you that my next finished object is the one practically everyone has knit - the Clapotis.
Labels: elsebeth lavold, knitting, pullover, silky tweed, sweater
# posted by Macoco : Wednesday, January 09, 2008
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I love it--it's different, but classic at the same time. It looks wonderful on you, and I love that last shot. Very old hollywood. Congrats!
Oh fabulous!! It looks great! And I love the photoshoot. I bet now that people have seen this sweater knit up, lots of people will make it. ;-)
we have a stylish coworker? who? other than you of course. becasue that sweater is beautiful and the photoshoot is very glamorous. you look beautiful.
I just knew this was going to be a fabulous sweater! Outstanding!!!!
Great job and it looks smashing on you.
Great job and it looks smashing on you.
Hello Miss Garbo.LOL I love this photo of you on the couch:)
This sweater looks perfect! Really amire your choice of yarn and colorway, buttons and you, you are just so darn pretty!
I haven't knit the clapotis:) Still one of us out there. I love how it looks but I barely wear scarfs. Maybe one day, who knows.
This sweater looks perfect! Really amire your choice of yarn and colorway, buttons and you, you are just so darn pretty!
I haven't knit the clapotis:) Still one of us out there. I love how it looks but I barely wear scarfs. Maybe one day, who knows.
This sweater is really stunning and your photos are wonderful! You should be incredibly proud of this one - well knit!
Oh wow...that looks great! And I think the best thing was the coworker asking you where you got it. I love when that happens.
-Stacey at toomanyscarves
-Stacey at toomanyscarves
# posted by 
: Wednesday, 09 January, 2008
: Wednesday, 09 January, 2008
The first and especially the last photos are great! Your eyes on the last one just shine.
Oh, yeah, pretty sweater and buttons, too.
Oh, yeah, pretty sweater and buttons, too.
Stunning! What clever construction on that sweater, I love the longer length and the pockets in front. You look Fan. Tas. Tick.
What a beautiful sweater!! It looks like it fits you perfectly, and the color you chose is gorgeous. What an ego boost that your co-worker wanted to know where you bought it, huh?
I totally agree the stitch pattern is great but is the details that make the sweater. Beautiful work and fits you perfectly.
I don't comment nearly as much as I should, but this has drawn me out of lurkdom! I HAVE to say just how much I adore this sweater!
I really like your first photo, too! Soooo Greta! Aboslutely lovely!
I really like your first photo, too! Soooo Greta! Aboslutely lovely!
The sweater is gorgeous. I love the photo series it is just so great. Glad to know my consumption wasn't catchy but who is playing Camille now? :)
Great sweater and totally glamorous photoshoot. I think you'll be starting a blogland trend. How's the Silky Wool next to the skin?
Oh, oh! You finished it! It is fabulous. It does make you look like a movie star, no joke. What a beautiful sweater. The color looks great on you, too. Not many people can pull off orange. :)
I certainly haven't seen anyone make this before, but I wouldn't be surprised if some people queued it after seeing yours. It's beautiful, and it's really flattering. You did a wonderful job on the knitting - it looks perfect!
You look amazing in your beautiful sweater! It takes a good eye to see something in a sketch and good touch to implement all those well conceived details.
You must be glowing if a co-worker wanted to know where she could purchase the same. Yeah for knitting! Wear it often because you wear it well -
You must be glowing if a co-worker wanted to know where she could purchase the same. Yeah for knitting! Wear it often because you wear it well -
# posted by : Thursday, 10 January, 2008
: Thursday, 10 January, 2008
Wow... what an amazing sweater and I can imagine it feels so neat to knit something so unique!!!! I am guessing you will be the first one to use this pattern on Ravelry??? :-) It looks great on you too and perfect button choice.
Also, i actually laughed out loud when I read the clap was your next FO.... way to hit both sides of the spectrum, eh?
Also, i actually laughed out loud when I read the clap was your next FO.... way to hit both sides of the spectrum, eh?
You've got so many fans and it is clear why! The sweater is amazing, and having seen it firsthand, I can understand where your coworker was coming from. It is beautiful and you look great in it. And it is unique. You're my knitting hero!
It's beautiful! How satisfying, to finish such a complex project and have it all come out perfectly. I love all the photos, too!
I'm still thinking Clapotis, too, for the yarn i bought in Chicago.
I'm still thinking Clapotis, too, for the yarn i bought in Chicago.
You look so pretty! Violet wants to grow up to be as elegant as Aunt Macoco.
Clapotis sounds like an std. Wear latex gloves while knitting that one. ; )
Clapotis sounds like an std. Wear latex gloves while knitting that one. ; )
Luv luv luv sikly tweed!
Great job on the sweater!
Found you via Kel!
Now I am on a mission to get my hands on that out of print pattern! :)
Great job on the sweater!
Found you via Kel!
Now I am on a mission to get my hands on that out of print pattern! :)
That looks so awesome. Your photos are so great and definatly what a boost to be able to tell someone you made that lovely creation!!!
Not that you don't have enough praise for your awesome sweater, but I just gave you a "You Made My Day" award on my blog. Because you did!
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