New Pattern - Sahara
Stitch Diva's Sahara by Wendy Bernard.
I love Wendy's patterns, I actually knit two "Essential Stripes" and I purchased the kit for the "Somewhat Cowl" but I never knit it because I didn't like how the neck turned out for some people, and I still think it could be beautiful but I just think I lack the skill to make sure the neck comes out properly.
Enter my Tilli Tomas yarn that I knit the whole body for the Simple Knitted Bodice (Another Stitch Diva pattern). It was really too big on me, and the center lace panel was anything but flattering. It just wasn't meant for my body type, and most of the people I see it on, it's just huge on them. I had no urge to finish the sleeves. Then a few weeks ago the preview for this pattern was on Wendy's site and I gasped. How perfect! I think my body shape is fairly similar to hers which might be one reason the stuff she knits is stuff that might look good on me. So I will be frogging tonight, frogging all my lovely Tilli Tomas yarn (Hopefully the lace will come out okay, those sequins make it a bit hard).
When I put the SKB on, I simply didn't get that feeling of excitment. It just wasn't there. I didn't like how the center lace panel felt, and I didn't think it was slimming, and I knew if I pulled on it to much the whole sweater was going to stretch out another few inches. This yarn is freakin expensive, and I want to *love* wearing it.
(Please note that this photograph is not straight on, because the photosgraphs from straight on were not as flattering)
Now the SKB was a Stitch Diva pattern as well, so I am going to give here a little review about how I feel these patterns are presented. I am strictly speaking about Stitch Diva, not the pattern authors. I always love how Wendy's patterns are presented in PDF format. With that said, Stitch Diva puts a password on the file, and it really pisses me off. I purchased the pattern, paid money for it, I should not have to keep a separate password file or even need to enter a damn password just to look at the pattern I now own. If I wanted to be evil I could simple screen cap each page and create a new PDF and send it out into the world. I do not participate in copy write infringement, I'm just saying I dislike when people put little locks on things to avoid it, when there is always a work around or hack for it. Like when people disable right click on a website, makes me very angry. I can very easily steal your pictures if I wanted to. Anyone who really wants to be doing something devious, well they will find a way.
So yeah, the password really makes me angry, and then the info inside the first file which seems very important to be in the pattern itself also annoys me. It has yarn substitutions and gauge information. Also the pattern itself is not the way Wendy's patterns normally appear, hers always have lots of white space almost like a very good magazine page layout. Stitch Diva smooches everything into to tight a space, and it's just not as easy to scan or read. Don't get me wrong, Stitch Diva brings us many beautiful designs, but so far the 2 I have purchased have been from Designers who I in the past have purchased from directly.
Regardless, it's a stunning design and I can't wait to frog my SKB and knit this. Can you imagine my deep Jade colored yarn paired with black pants, and funky green shoes to match, at some Holiday party? I'm planning on the short sleeve version (the pink one, the white one has less of a sleeve cap), maybe there is a chance I could actually finish it in time for Paris and wear it on Christmas Eve!
Comments
amanda says;
I have to agree with you about the SKB. I didnt buy the pattern yet but I am eyeing up that tilli tomas yarn. But, every FO of it i've seen looks big on everyone. you would think the lace panel would emphasize the smallest part of everyone - just under the bust - but it's not working for me. anyway, cant wait to see your Sahara progress. I think I'm going with this one too.
Heather says;
I was wondering what happened to the SKB. I bought the pattern but haven't started it yet. I haven't seen any FOs, but will have to give this more thought before I dig in if it's not flattering. Life's too short to spend a lot of money and time on a sweater that doesn't look god!
Betty says;
I completely agree with you on the whole password-is-annoying thing. I am definitely making the SS version of Sahara.
Nurseshar says;
I agree wholeheartedly with you about stitch diva patterns. I bought the SKB and the curiously clever clog patterns. I've yet to knit them because the pattern is so darn busy. There's no room for your own notes and it just seems to be so much more complicated than it needs to be. I'm debating getting Sahara, just because of that. I love Wendy's patterns and the way she formats them, but I'm extremely hesitant to see how stitch diva has mucked it up. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
Cyndi says;
I totally agree about SD patterns. How completely and utterly annoying! I just printed my SKB file and scanned it into my computer to create a new pdf. Viola - no password! Not that it mattered, since I didn't (and probably won't ever) finish my SKB anyway.
I do love the Sahara pattern. Especially the pink cap sleeve version. Did you already get the pattern? I'm curious what the yarn requirements are... dare I splurge on TT yarn for this one?
Yours will look fabulous in teal!
Sandee says;
Ooo...I thought I was the only one irritated with the password thing! Is it just me, or is it kinda weird that the SD pattern gives you information on how much material to buy BEFORE they list the sizing options...you'd think that sizing would come before yarn amounts!?!
Leslie says;
Sahara is a beauty for sure. I hope you have better luck with it. I love your shade of the Tilli Thomas yarn. I think that's my favorite. Sorry the SKB didn't work out for you. I agree, a lot of the SKBs I see look way too large and kind of funky. I was going to knit it after Sizzle, but changed my mind because of that. I agree about the password, who needs it? But I really have "issues" with the anorexic-looking model. To me, she isn't a realistic representative of who is actually going to be knitting and wearing this sweater. I mean, I can see her hip bones jutting out through the sweater, for Christsake.
Anita says;
I completely agree about the patterns from SD--it's not like it costs them more to let the pattern roam free over Many PDF Pages...
prettyknit says;
I just got the pattern an hour ago, I thought something is wrong with my software..totally agree with you that the password is annoying. I love the white color version with the blue beads.
Lizzy says;
I agree - that yarn is so special you have got to love wearing it so get ripping girl! (We've all been there and done the same). The pdf thing sucks big time - I wish I knew how to hack into things and I hate it too when I can't right click.
Claudia says;
I totally agree with your comments about SD. I bought a pattern a while back and it is just plain annouying. Let me know if you need help ripping the SKB. You should really get is ready for Christmas in Paris. Very stylish!!!
April says;
I can't wait to see you wearing Sahara! That is going to be SO SO cute on you! I don't envy your frogging adventure to come though - but it's going to be SO worth it. My hip bones do that, too, regardless of my size, I just have jutty pelvis bones - LOL
Robin says;
I'm in total agreement about the SD patterns as well - it's almost like I don't know where to find anything on the patterns because there are so many explanatory notes, etc. And on the SKB, I think they only turned out for people who knitted them a size smaller than they normally wear (luckily I went this route as I usually like my sweaters on the tighter than looser side.) I bought the Sahara pattern yesterday but am unsure when I'll make it. Are you doing a KAL for this one too?