Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Just in Time for Valentine's Day - A Finished Freeform Vest



Not exactly your typical hearts-and-flowers Valentine's Day theme - last night I finished my Autumn-themed Freeform Vest.

This is the project I started in Alie's Freeform class in February of last year. So it's come full circle - starting and ending in February. I often do this - complete projects out of season! But then the nice thing about it is, I put it away in the closet and get it out again when the new season begins and I then feel blessed with something handmade to wear when that season finally rolls around.

I was just thinking the other day, with this cold weather hitting us, that I feel so soft, warm and comfortable in my handknit socks, scarves, and sweaters. That's why I've been selfishly knitting for myself so much lately. When I wear things I made, I just feel nurtured all day. Weird but true. It's a form of self-nurturing that is really reassuring. Now if I could find others who appreciate my knitting as much as I do myself, then maybe I'd start crafting more gifts. Ah well, here's a Valentine's gift for myself - a completed vest. I LOVE Freeform.










Here's a closer view of the scrumbles:




7 comments:

Laura said...

Your vest is one of the best examples of freeform. It's very nice and looks wonderful on you. You're inspiring me to get my freeform done already.

tangled-web said...

Chelle, your vest is absolutely beautiful. It is extremely artistic. Congrats! Sherre

Elysbeth said...

Very nice! It is creative and nurturing. Are you letting your hair grow out again?

Jeanie said...

Very cute!!! The colors are great for you! How long did it take you altogether? You are so fast!

ChelleC said...

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I'm actually not usually a fast knitter at all. For example, it took me 2 months to do the Plain Vanilla sweater and it was an easy top-down sweater.

On this vest, I started it and did a few (11) scrumbles last February when I first took Allie's class. Then I let it sit idle until we took that class 3 weeks ago. But because I've been on a finishing kick ever since your August UFO, Jeanie, I just decided to finish it. I worked on it pretty intensely during that 2 day retreat and then was really fueled up to finish it. So I knit the remanining 44 scurmbles for it during those 3 weeks.

I normally knit SLOW. It takes me at least a month to knit a pair of socks, and usually takes 2 months.

ChelleC said...

Elysbeth, on the hair - yes, I kind of AM trying to grow it out again. The main reason is because I'm lazy. While I like the way it looks in the short style, when I wake up at 5:00 sm. to go to work, I'd like to sometimes be able to just toss it up into a pony tail. With it short and layered like it is now, a pony tail is flat out impossible.

At my age, I shouldn't be wearing pony tails anymore, but I miss my pony tail!!! Years ago, as a kindergartener, I used to always tell my Mom I wanted to grow my hair to have a pony tail, and I'm still wanting one.

Connie said...

Your vest is beautiful and your poncho start is too. You've had practice at freeforming!