Exactly a week from right now, I'll be in an airplane over the Pacific, on my way to Honolulu. And hopefully (fingers crossed and breath held), this will be done by the time I go:
You can get much more of a sense now of how the finished garment will look now: it's a heady mix of kimono, mandarin jacket and British colonial safariwear, with an unexpected touch of 60's caftan thrown in for spice. I'm pleased with how it's coming, and with my execution of the little surprise down there in the corner. Here's a closer look:
Pineapple! The real-life Charles Victor Morine was an engineer (although I prefer the more glamorous term "inventor") who spent his professional life on Oahu designing fruit-harvesting machines for Del Monte. So the pineapple has significance to him personally, although it's also such an iconic Hawaiian symbol of hospitality and welcome that I thought a garment incorporating one could only bring good things to its wearer. I wanted it to be easily recognizable yet low-profile, and be integrated into the overall design of the garment. I think all three criteria are pretty well met; I like how the textured basket stitch of the fruit's body extends seamlessly out of the lower border, and I'm delighted with the look of the cabled spines I invented for the top. I'm also delighted that my theoretical methods for handling decreases and getting the whole thing to hang correctly, despite differing gauges in stockinette, basket, and cabled stitching, seem to have panned out in practice. As a side note, I think this drapey, casual look is really flattering on David!
So. That's great. Back and right front are grafted at the shoulder and seamed together at the side, and all that remains is the smaller left front, the seaming, and the crochet finishing...to do in seven days. I think this is doable, but it's definitely tight, especially if I want to do a wet-block before we go (which would probably help with the still-visible grafting seams). Just in case that wasn't sufficiently exciting, I'm also a little nervous about running out of yarn, and it's a color I had to special-order from a local shop. Yikes! Needless to say, frantic knitting is taking place around here in an attempt to figure out the proper next step. Hopefully, the yarn will hold out and so will I. Wish me luck!
WOW.
It's the '60s thing that really comes through for me...I noticed that part first.
I could see this on Tom Selleck...
That's a really cool drape. Who are you envisioning wearing this jacket? I heart the stitch you used for the body of the pineapple. Good luck on your deadline!
Marge is here armed with your info. So glad I found you again. I subscribe now so you won't get lost again. David you make a wonderful model! Love the socks. Do you do commissions? I, of course would only need one but others would need two. Went to your book blog and it is also a place I will get lost in regularly. Great job on the site David. Have a relaxing time in Hawaii. We do the same next month. Love to you both