January 26, 2006
Demi, really and truly complete
I am pleasantly surprised at how nicely Demi cleans up with the addition of buttons along the left shoulder. Previously, it looked like the shoulder piece was too long and the neckline inexplicably funky. Add the buttons and it all comes together.
Project Details:
Pattern: Demi from Rowan Vintage Style
Yarn: Peace Fleece Worsted in Ancient Fern, 5 and a half skeins for the XS size. The peace fleece is really soft and warm; I'd recommend it for this sweater.
Needles: Size 7 addi turbos; Size 6 for the ribbing. This was one size down from the recommended needle size, and resulted in a bit tighter fabric.
Modifications: knit the sleeves and body a bit longer, trickery to get the front diamond to line up with the collar
and, after deliberation, I kept the diamond pattern on the back. I thought that removing the diamonds with bobbles on the back of the sweater would further emphasize the front motif, and I'd rather have a sweater that is the same on all pieces. Its not uncomfortable or anything.
The sides have this interesting cable action that converges at the seam. It might look even better if I had blocked the sweater. I didn't block it because it didn't look like it needed it. Maybe I'll steam the sides.
The buttons are a relative of the aforementioned cow's hoof buttons. The cow's hoof ones are translucent and shiny like shells, with the same wavy texture as these. I had no idea that buttons were so important, but am glad I went back and got these ones, even though it was $20 for 5 of them.
Demi is easily the warmest sweater I own. I've been wearing it in the evenings for about a week now. I am happy with the final result. Its not a fast knit by far, and I might not be done if it wasn't for SQ's encouragement.
Demi knitters, keep on knitting! Its worth it!
Comments (81)
It looks GREAT! I think it's a sweater you'll love and own forever. All of your work definitely paid off.
Posted by mari | January 26, 2006 11:40 AM
Posted on January 26, 2006 11:40
Stunning - it looks fabulous on you, too! I particularly love the cable convergence under the arms.
Posted by Chris | January 26, 2006 11:42 AM
Posted on January 26, 2006 11:42
wow, it looks just like the magazine. beautiful and timeless. you knit beautifully. buttons really make a sweater look even more special!
Posted by blossom | January 26, 2006 11:44 AM
Posted on January 26, 2006 11:44
Its beautiful, you should be proud.
Posted by PumpkinMama | January 26, 2006 11:47 AM
Posted on January 26, 2006 11:47
really gorgeous - one to cherish. congratulations on a great FO.
Posted by anna | January 26, 2006 11:52 AM
Posted on January 26, 2006 11:52
Hi, just wanted to say that wow, that looks awesome, I've been wanting to knit one too but just haven't gotten around to it, great job!
Posted by suegene | January 26, 2006 11:53 AM
Posted on January 26, 2006 11:53
Congratulations on a gorgeous sweater, it reall is just beautiful!
Posted by Kelly | January 26, 2006 11:54 AM
Posted on January 26, 2006 11:54
It came out beautifully, D. Your perseverance paid off.
Posted by Nancy | January 26, 2006 11:59 AM
Posted on January 26, 2006 11:59
That is by far the most gorgeous sweater I have seen knit. Really. I love it to death...the buttons are fabulous and so worth it. What a gorgeous knit.
Posted by carolyn | January 26, 2006 12:02 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 12:02
Bravo!
It looks warm and elegant.
Posted by Veronique | January 26, 2006 12:06 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 12:06
Truely beautiful, I am in awe.
Posted by jsc | January 26, 2006 12:10 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 12:10
It looks fabulous. The fit, the color, the knitting, the buttons - wow. What a wonderful project. You should be very happy about such a lovely sweater.
Posted by Stephanie | January 26, 2006 12:11 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 12:11
Ohmygod. That is simply gorgeous. Amazing job - you've totally outdone yourself. It is so beautiful!
Posted by Maritza | January 26, 2006 12:23 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 12:23
Beautiful, Diana!!! Your knitting is always gorgeous.
Posted by caitlyn | January 26, 2006 12:24 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 12:24
ooo la very very nice!
Posted by li | January 26, 2006 12:37 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 12:37
Absolutely lovely!
Posted by Lori | January 26, 2006 12:43 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 12:43
This is really really nice! And it looks very warm too!
What's your plan for next project? ;)
Posted by Agnes | January 26, 2006 12:56 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 12:56
Wowzers! It looks fantastic! and a great choice on the buttons. Brava!
Posted by Ann | January 26, 2006 1:07 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 13:07
Wow -- it looks great and seems to fit perfectly! Congrats. I've finally re-started my demi, and am hoping the post the first (very modest) progress shot later today.
Posted by Janet | January 26, 2006 1:07 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 13:07
what a great FO, so gorgeous
Posted by yahaira | January 26, 2006 1:07 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 13:07
Absolutely beautiful. I know you're going to enjoy wearing it!
Posted by Christie | January 26, 2006 1:10 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 13:10
You did a great job. I'm sure you'll enjoy wearing it for years.
Posted by Anmiryam | January 26, 2006 1:15 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 13:15
beautiful! i'm ordering the peace fleece sample card right now ;)
Posted by andrea | January 26, 2006 1:24 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 13:24
Absolutely beautiful! I'm glad you toook the time for the trickery of lining up the center diamond and the collar.
Posted by grumperina | January 26, 2006 1:25 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 13:25
oh lordy, diana.. it is truly wonderful! such a great sweater.. can you elaborate on the lengthening of the body? if i knit this i need to do that too. love it!
Posted by winnie | January 26, 2006 1:38 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 13:38
demi looks so awesome! those buttons were a really nice choice. i really need to get that vintage rowan book.
Posted by melissa | January 26, 2006 1:39 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 13:39
Absolutely gorgeous! I think this will be one of my Winter knits this year.
Posted by Jade | January 26, 2006 1:50 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 13:50
Well, that's one gorgeous sweater! Well done, Diana! Perfect choice for buttons, too. :-)
Posted by terhi | January 26, 2006 1:58 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 13:58
Beautiful work - I love the buttons you went with! Demi is definitely making it onto my to-knit list (which is growing inexorably these days ...)
Posted by Anne | January 26, 2006 2:03 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 14:03
wow, that is just beautiful. i love the diamond motif in the center and on the back, and yes, the buttons really do make the difference! shiny!
Posted by gleek | January 26, 2006 2:11 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 14:11
I too just love how everything in this sweater same together, the color, the yarn, the pattern. All together with you great knitting job!
I truly love this!
Posted by Joelene | January 26, 2006 2:21 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 14:21
Lovely.
Posted by Chery | January 26, 2006 2:21 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 14:21
I really like it! So much in fact that I went out and bought Vintage Knits and 6sk of Beaverslide wool. Yum.
Posted by nikki the blogless | January 26, 2006 2:23 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 14:23
that is so beautiful i feel my eyes welling up! absolutely incredible.
Posted by kris | January 26, 2006 2:35 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 14:35
Awesome! It looks great on you and the little details do make the difference. I'd totally spend $20 on buttons too. Great job, you should be proud!
Posted by Angela | January 26, 2006 2:48 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 14:48
Wow, that is one gorgeous sweater! So worth the perseverance. The buttons you picked are great, they are different but go so well with the yarn and the look.
Posted by Steph | January 26, 2006 2:50 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 14:50
Yes! thats a piece of art
Posted by j a r e d | January 26, 2006 3:03 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 15:03
It's absolutely stunning!
Posted by Marie | January 26, 2006 3:05 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 15:05
So fabulous! This sweater was clearly a lot of work and you did a phenomenal job on it. I hope you are spectacularly proud of yourself.
And I really like those buttons!
Posted by Purly Whites | January 26, 2006 3:06 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 15:06
wowee! isn't she a beauty? a really complicated knit, but 100% wearable.
Posted by jess | January 26, 2006 3:08 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 15:08
it is just beautiful diana! a true work of art. actually i would love to make that sweater myself...but it doen't really get that cold over here to warrant it.
Posted by jacqueline | January 26, 2006 3:14 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 15:14
Beeee-utiful, and it's a Rowan pattern. I bow down before you.
Posted by Colleen | January 26, 2006 3:38 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 15:38
i cant believe how much better your pattern shows up than mine! it looks super.
keep up the good work posting!
Posted by SQ | January 26, 2006 3:59 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 15:59
It is gorgeous! You used a beautiful yarn for it.
Posted by erin | January 26, 2006 4:05 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 16:05
Demi is fabulous! Really lovely. She fits you like a glove. And of course you had to have those buttons, they were worth the splurge for how perfectly they suit the sweater.
Posted by Karma | January 26, 2006 5:13 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 17:13
oh my goodness...beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!! Maybe I'll have to try this one!
Posted by Christina | January 26, 2006 6:22 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 18:22
Oh, man. The color, the yarn, the pattern, the knitting, everything is there...I've never seen a knit that fit so well. Gorgeous.
Posted by eunny | January 26, 2006 6:35 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 18:35
Awesome! I love the cables and the color of the yarn. If it weren't for the fact that I knit left-handed and would have to reverse all the charts, I would SO make that.
Posted by Alexa | January 26, 2006 6:41 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 18:41
What a gorgeous sweater. It looks great on you too. You're a wonderful knitter!
Posted by Linda | January 26, 2006 7:30 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 19:30
It's really and truly gorgeous. And I absolutely love the buttons. Perfect touch.
Posted by diana | January 26, 2006 9:56 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 21:56
Oh my gosh-- That looks absolutely incredible on you! I really can't believe it :) You did a wondeful job and are inspiring me to try something like this!
Posted by Dani | January 26, 2006 10:23 PM
Posted on January 26, 2006 22:23
That turned out so truly beautiful! You do such lovely work.
I've been wanting to pick up this book and I want it even more now. I just have so many books already--I may have to persuade someone to trade with me.
Posted by Gina | January 27, 2006 2:09 AM
Posted on January 27, 2006 02:09
Demi turned out *beautifully*! Great job. I feel cosier just looking at these pictures.
Posted by alison | January 27, 2006 2:56 AM
Posted on January 27, 2006 02:56
Wow, the Demi looks amazing on you! Love the buttons.
Posted by Debbie | January 27, 2006 7:04 AM
Posted on January 27, 2006 07:04
I have all of the patience in the world for color work, but very little for cables. Your sweater is amazingly beautiful. Go shout from the rooftops that you made it!
Posted by Johanna | January 27, 2006 9:37 AM
Posted on January 27, 2006 09:37
LIKE, TOTALLY RAD! looks great.
Posted by D R E W | January 27, 2006 11:40 AM
Posted on January 27, 2006 11:40
Beautiful. You will wear the hell out of that thing.
Posted by Jenny | January 27, 2006 1:22 PM
Posted on January 27, 2006 13:22
wow. The demi looks looks really really great. it looks like a really useful jumper to have too.
good job.
Posted by oscarcat | January 27, 2006 1:32 PM
Posted on January 27, 2006 13:32
That is so stunning, truly destined to become an heirloom. Fabulous work and fabulus buttons. Give yourself a pat on the diamond-motifed back for this one!
Posted by Jenna | January 27, 2006 2:55 PM
Posted on January 27, 2006 14:55
oh it's beautiful. i'm so impressed with how well the dark color shows off the texture. it's a masterpiece!
Posted by jody | January 27, 2006 3:15 PM
Posted on January 27, 2006 15:15
Gorgeous! The buttons are perfect.
Posted by Elli | January 27, 2006 3:52 PM
Posted on January 27, 2006 15:52
It came out really beautifully, nice fit, too!
Posted by Monica | January 28, 2006 1:07 AM
Posted on January 28, 2006 01:07
really beautifull!
Posted by Circé | January 28, 2006 2:58 AM
Posted on January 28, 2006 02:58
G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S.!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Elemmaciltur | January 28, 2006 4:19 AM
Posted on January 28, 2006 04:19
Inspiring!
Posted by Lesley | January 28, 2006 8:54 AM
Posted on January 28, 2006 08:54
Really, really nice!
Posted by Karen | January 28, 2006 8:58 AM
Posted on January 28, 2006 08:58
It really turned out beautifully. Nice work.
Posted by Lolly | January 28, 2006 10:05 AM
Posted on January 28, 2006 10:05
At the risk of reapeating what all the others have said, that is one INCREDIBLE sweater!!! You have created a true work of art !
Congratulations - I too, am in awe.
Posted by teyani | January 28, 2006 8:08 PM
Posted on January 28, 2006 20:08
I am de-lurking to say WOW!!!!!!! That's beautiful, and inspiration even!
Posted by Amy | January 28, 2006 11:38 PM
Posted on January 28, 2006 23:38
It's BEAUTIFUL! Great choice of buttons, as well. Congrats on a wonderful finished product :)
Posted by allison | January 28, 2006 11:58 PM
Posted on January 28, 2006 23:58
gorgeous! it looks totally professionally made.
Posted by Rebecca | January 29, 2006 12:02 AM
Posted on January 29, 2006 00:02
wow your Demi looks just great. So smart on you and a great choice of colour.
Posted by Estee | January 29, 2006 5:36 AM
Posted on January 29, 2006 05:36
Ay ay ay! It's one of those sweaters that I, personally, wouldn't have hardly given a second glance to in the patternbook, that is until I see somebody who's made it. Yours turned out incredibly beautiful!
Posted by Siri | January 29, 2006 1:48 PM
Posted on January 29, 2006 13:48
I've just been thinking over the last couple of weeks that I want to do Demi so I'm glad I saw your post tonight. I love it!!!
Posted by Stacy | January 29, 2006 10:35 PM
Posted on January 29, 2006 22:35
BEAUTIFUL! The fit is stunning! Thank you for sharing it.
Posted by Cara | January 30, 2006 8:49 AM
Posted on January 30, 2006 08:49
Wow! Fantastic work. Your sweater looks great on you. It is great to watch your progress and see excellent results.
Posted by Miss Twiss | January 30, 2006 9:48 AM
Posted on January 30, 2006 09:48
Another gorgeous sweater. After seeing your version, I think I really want a Demi for myself too. Great job!
Posted by vanessa | January 31, 2006 11:55 AM
Posted on January 31, 2006 11:55
Your Demi is very nice and fits you so well!
Posted by marjorie | February 1, 2006 11:55 PM
Posted on February 1, 2006 23:55
How beautiful is that!!? It's amazing - I love the deatail of the side seam how the front and back come together! Your pictures give a even better impression of it than the pattern book. I have yarn for it and am going to knit it sometime sooner or later - I believe sooner now after seeing your pictures!!
Posted by karen | February 2, 2006 2:31 PM
Posted on February 2, 2006 14:31
This is a fabulous sweater! WOW!
Posted by rachel | February 24, 2006 11:23 AM
Posted on February 24, 2006 11:23
That came out so Awesome! I have been eyeing that sweater for such a long time, I have to get the yarn to start it. as soon as I finish all the UFO'S first. hehehehe! great job.
Posted by Charisse | February 27, 2006 8:31 PM
Posted on February 27, 2006 20:31