Monday, May 4, 2009

A New Flower

I love flowers, flowers of all kinds. Lately, I have been so in love with them, that I have been knitting them.

After I finished knitting the little Clochette hat, I set out to knit another flower. Asters are one of my favorite flowers with their bright peach center framed by vibrant purple petals.



I sketched, and sketched, I searched my stash, and it all came together. I had some lovely Bouton d'Or Mango cotton in just the perfect colors, a soft deep purple, and a peachy orange. I also found one single ball of a lighter purple, which would be perfect for the trim.



I designed the sweater so that it would have a slight flare, with the petals narrowing into a delicate empire waist line. The yoke of the sweater became the stygma.




The sweater is knit in one piece, ( after each petal is started)with no seams. I placed the decreases between the petals, and separated the petals with columns of purl stitches.



While the petals were knit in stockinette stitch, the yoke was knit in garter stitch. After a few rows of the lighter purple the yoke switched to its bright peach tone, and the sleeves were added to the knitting by casting on extra stitches. I really like the discrete and graceful nature of the short shoulder hugging sleeves.



The yoke was gently decreased, until it came to a flatteringly open neckline. It was then topped by a few rows of the lighter purple.
I picked up stitches along the front sides of the sweater, and around the petals and added a few continuous rows of light purple.

Picking the buttons was great fun. Again I searched my stash, ( I am ashamed to say, that on top of my crazy yarn stash, I also have a button stash!) and these little peach water bubble stole my heart.



I took notes as I was designing the sweater and I will be working on different size options and will publish the pattern as a free pdf. What would you think of the name Corolle for this pattern?

48 comments:

Lyn said...

Oh, so lovely. Love the sweater, love the name. Makes me wish my little girl weren't all grown up. I might have to find some other little girl to make one for.

Delighted Hands said...

Call it whatever you like but I will be knitting it up for my grand daughter as soon as you offer it-she would love it! Thanks!

Sarah said...

You design the cutest children garments. I cannot wait for the Corolle pattern!

Tracy Batchelder said...

This is such a sweet sweater!

Martha said...

This is the most adorable sweater I have ever seen.When will the pattern be ready?

Ursula said...

I love the Corolle sweater. What sizes are you going to write the pattern for?

Anonymous said...

this little sweater is completely adorable, and so is your model. Looking forward to the pdf.

Anonymous said...

I am almost greateful the pdf is not available yet. Otherwise I would have been very tempted to stop working on my current project to start this one!

Cathy said...

Absolutely adorable!

Bindu said...

so so beautiful, as beautiful as the flower fairies. waiting for the pdf

Naomi said...

You are an inspiration. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

You are so creative. I look forward to the pdf.

Yarndude said...

Your designs are always so cute! I almost want to have a little girl of my own to knit for (and I'm a 21 year old guy, so that's saying something!).

Sally said...

I love, love, LOVE that! It's beautiful and I have 2 granddaughters who would look darling in it. Can't wait to see the pattern. Thanks so much for sharing.

a Knitting Junkie! said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I love the petals, the flair that is just right, and the contrast between the garter stitch yoke and the body. It is all put together so perfectly! The name really suits it too. I cannot wait to make one!

I just have to say, you couldn't have had a more darling girl modeling it either! ;0)

Hugs, health and happiness,
Anita, a Knitting Junkie!

JeanP said...

I wish my daughter wasn't all grown up so I could make this charming and completely unique design for her. Thank you for sharing your inspiration with us.

Judy S. said...

How sweet! It makes a perfect companion to the Clochette, I think. Can't wait for the pattern, thanks so much!

Rose said...

That is simply beautiful!

alcatmom said...

OK, that is one seriously gorgeous sweater and the little fairy princess modeling it is a perfect match. Beautiful!

Dorothy said...

I have two little granddaughters and I can't wait for the pattern. How lovely of you to share it with us!

Rebecca MacLary said...

Love it.
It's beautiful, can't wait to make this for my daughter.

annmarie said...

by whatever name you choose, this is one lovely little sweater. what a clever, clever design! I see myself knitting this one for a couple of little girls I know. :)

Sharon said...

I absolutely adore this pattern! The colors are perfect for Spring.

Very good job.

Anonymous said...

Hurry Hurry! I have a sweet niece this would be perfect for!

Delia Bernal said...

::Gasp:: It is just beautiful!!! I can not wait for the pattern. Everything is lovely, the pattern, the colors, the gorgeous girl, the photos...
Lovely.

Yarnfairy said...

OMG please hurry with the pattern so I can begin to knit it for my two girls. It will be so lovely to see a 6 year and a 9 year old Corolle walk together.

hugs from Germany

KnitCave said...

I love the corelle top and would love to knit one for my niece. You are very creative.

Daryl said...

Pretty, pretty. I almost wish my little girls were still little enough to wear this...maybe teen pregnancy isn't such a bad thing and I can get granddaughters?...then again maybe I should wait.

Cecilia said...

You are so creative! Thank you for sharing with us.

Les said...

Oh, that is soooo cute! I have a couple of great nieces who would do it justice!

Cynthia said...

I love your designs. They are so refreshing!Hurry up with the pattern.

Spencer said...

Your designs, your yarns, and your whole blog bring us so much joy. What a treat! Thank you.

MamaKnits2Much said...

OMGosh!! That is an absolutely beautiful sweater! I can't believe you are offering it free. You are amazing.. as are your designs and yarns!

Gail said...

I just started reading your blog. This little sweater is just beautiful, from the photos to the description of how you achieved this lovely garment. Can't wait for the pattern - you are a generous heart!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely adorable! Many thanks for even thinking of making it available!

Marta

grammynan said...

It also makes me think of the purple coneflower (echinacea). I can see it in the "sunrise" variety, too. Beautiful and can't wait for the pattern.

Rositta said...

I can hardly wait. That will look so adorable on my two year old grand daughter. I love the colors...ciao

Claudia said...

This is the most adorbale sweater. Definitely perfect fo my little pixies. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Your designs are wonderful. When are you writing a book?

Akhila's Handblog said...

How cute is that??!!!! Must find a little girl to knit it for.
Thanks

Monika said...

This is the most adorable thing I saw since your gorgeous baby hat! :o)

melanie said...

My daughter's reaction: WOW. So I have to make this for her.

It was my reaction as well. Just beautiful. Can't wait for the pattern.

MommaSunDaughter said...

Oh so perfect for this spring. I have all boys, but know and love many little girls who are going to look so sweet as a purple flower. I can't wait for the pattern.

Yarndude said...

Why isn't this project on your Ravelry page yet? I want to favorite it so bad!

Unknown said...

This is just gorgeous. I have two neices, both 1 yr that I would love to knit this for. Can't wait to start!

MarieAnge said...

That little sweater/cardi is adorable! I can hardly wait until you make the pattern available to knit it up for my nieces. They are all girly girls and this would so go with what they have already.
Beautiful design!

Corolle is pretty and quite suits the design since it looks like the petals of a flower.

Angel

siddisisalou said...

This is just the most beautifull little sweater I have ever seen - really beautifull ....... <3

Unknown said...

This is such a pretty sweater. I keep coming back to see if the pattern is available. Will you ever write it up?