Beautiful Brier
Brier is one of the nicest fitting sweaters I have ever knit and will be a main part of my wardrobe for years to come. At first the Black Water Abbey yarn was stiff and hard to knit. Because of my tendency to knit rather tight, a rustic yarn can be difficult to work. After the first piece was finished and blocked it was evident the yarn softened and relaxed enough to make a beautiful, yet sturdy fabric. Knowing that made continuing on a easier.
There are several interesting details on Brier. The seam down the back was worrisome in the beginning but, it looks fab and there is no discomfort from the welt. The sleeve seams and button cuffs give the jacket a classic, tailored look that compliments the front lapels. The cuff on the sleeves and bottom hem on the sweater are knit in garter stitch, with the body continuing in stockinette.
As each piece was finished I washed and blocked to insure that everything would fit together nicely. When it come time to sew it all up, it was like fitting puzzles pieces together. Two parts to the back and each sleeve took more time to sew, but added the details that set Brier off. The collar again was knit separately and had to be fit in place. Then came the buttons on the cuff and down the front. It was a thrill to slip her on and see that everything did work, did fit, and fit me as well.
Brier's color makes her hard to photograph. Sun washes out the detail and shadows darken her too much. Hopefully you can get the idea with the two pictures below.
Brier is one fine lady, a joy to wear, and the finished product has sold me on Black Water Abbey yarns. This proves, once again, that the small grower/producers of yarn really have something special, something better than the norm. The color Bluestack just might make it to my stash someday soon. In the mean time, because my first thought for the BWA KAL was a different sweater in three colors, there is enough left over to knit a second sweater. I think another Ribby Cardi will be my future (would these colors look fab?).
Brier by Rowan Book #36
Yarn: Black Water Abbey- Chestnut - 5 skeins
Time to knit: 10-01-05 - 11-19-05
For: Black Water Abbey Knit Along hosted by Snow and Lizzy.
Brier came out positively beautiful! So flattering and feminine. Looks so nice on you - love your accessories too!! :)
Posted by: Laura | November 22, 2005 at 04:06 AM
It's lovely, Margene. And the fit is just perfect!
Posted by: Jan | November 22, 2005 at 04:55 AM
I MUST HAVE THIS SWEATER. Slightly '40s looking, too. It is wonderful. Man, I've got to get to WORK.
Posted by: Norma | November 22, 2005 at 04:58 AM
You really have lost a lot of weight this year....It fits perfectly! Bravo!
You are almost tempting me to give BWA another try.
Posted by: Kim | November 22, 2005 at 05:02 AM
It looks fantastic on you! The fit is perfect and I love the seam and buttons! Great job, Margene.
Posted by: Carole | November 22, 2005 at 05:08 AM
I, like Norma, agree: I must have this sweater! It might even make me break my Rowan embargo.
Posted by: Colleen | November 22, 2005 at 05:11 AM
Everything about it is beautiful...the color, the fit, the attention to detail. What a great sweater. :)
Posted by: Liz | November 22, 2005 at 05:28 AM
A lovely stylish jacket. Great fit,and fab colour on you. I really must finish something for myself. Sadly it'll take a lot more knitting than anything for you ever would. ;-]
Posted by: Emma. | November 22, 2005 at 05:35 AM
you look fabulous in your brier! great work, this is one you'll wear and wear.
Posted by: anna | November 22, 2005 at 05:36 AM
Perfect Margene--and could the buttons match any better? Well done!
Posted by: Kathleen | November 22, 2005 at 05:41 AM
WOW! Perfect knitting, perfect finishing, perfect fit! It looks great on you, I don't know how you'll ever take it off. Just makes me jealous that I don't have something to post. Oh wait, I do.......You'll have to wait though.
Posted by: Teresa C | November 22, 2005 at 05:41 AM
you look like a Rowan model! a fabulous job my dear!
Posted by: ann | November 22, 2005 at 06:11 AM
It looks wonderful, Margene. I can hardly wait to fondle it tonight.
Posted by: susan | November 22, 2005 at 06:11 AM
That's gorgeous! And such perfect details with the seams and buttons. You will be so warm this winter.
Posted by: Beth | November 22, 2005 at 06:12 AM
Simply Gorgeous.
Posted by: Rachel H | November 22, 2005 at 06:14 AM
Brier is a masterpiece (is there a grrl version of that word? because if there is, that's what I mean). It looks just perfect on you.
Posted by: gale (she shoots sheep shots) | November 22, 2005 at 06:29 AM
One fine lady, indeed! Absolutely beautiful, Margene. I think the color is stunning too, even if it was hard to photograph.
Cheers!
Posted by: Lolly | November 22, 2005 at 06:30 AM
Margene---WOW. Hot stuff, and the sweater isn't bad, either! Such beautiful work. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Kim | November 22, 2005 at 06:34 AM
This jacket is so lovely, in such a versatile colour. A classic that will always be instyle. I like so many of the things you knit!
Posted by: erin | November 22, 2005 at 06:44 AM
Very, very nice. What a beautiful sweater - it looks fabulous on you.
Posted by: PumpkinMama | November 22, 2005 at 06:48 AM
It fits you like a dream! :)
Posted by: Teri | November 22, 2005 at 06:49 AM
Brier is just perfect for you, Margene! Perfect.
Posted by: Vicki | November 22, 2005 at 07:04 AM
That is a home run. Great combo of yarn and pattern. You know, a sweater that tailored might even be work appropriate....hmmm.
Posted by: claudia | November 22, 2005 at 07:05 AM
Really beautiful!! Timeless design...Wish I could knit...I am a too tight knitter and end up frogging everything...sigh...
Posted by: Dawn | November 22, 2005 at 07:10 AM
Lovely!
Posted by: Andrea | November 22, 2005 at 07:18 AM
Holy crap is that a beauty!
Posted by: Scout | November 22, 2005 at 07:29 AM
WOW! Amazing. Great design, great color, and fantastic knitting Margene!
Posted by: mary | November 22, 2005 at 07:31 AM
Beautiful sweater, Margene.
Posted by: Paula | November 22, 2005 at 07:42 AM
Gorgeous. Really. But I've come to expect that from and of you. ;-)
Posted by: Cassie | November 22, 2005 at 07:47 AM
Beautiful
You make me want to add this to my list. Ok everything you make convinces me I need to add it to my list.
Posted by: Amy Boogie | November 22, 2005 at 07:49 AM
That is one stunning sweater! I love the detail and the fit and that it seems to have such a nice body, not droopy at all. It's just fabulous. I guess I will have to try some BWA. I love that color too and I don't think it photographed badly at all. Oh and the accessories finish off the look!
Posted by: Other Julia | November 22, 2005 at 07:58 AM
Oh wow, I can't believe how well that turned out! It's so wonderful on you!
Posted by: Kris | November 22, 2005 at 08:01 AM
I love it! Looks like something you could dress up or down, depending on what you wear it with. Great job on all that tedious finishing work too.
Posted by: Brenda | November 22, 2005 at 08:02 AM
Just lovely! I'm sure the color is much richer in person.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 22, 2005 at 08:11 AM
Hey, are you a trained model? You show off those lovelies quite well.
Posted by: Chris | November 22, 2005 at 08:16 AM
Gorgeous, as always. I feel exactly the same way about the BWA. My BWA sweater has surprised me by becoming the sweater I absolutely LIVE in. Though I love rustic yarns, I hadn't expected it to be so wearable. I now want to buy out the stock over at Blackwater Abbey!
Your button choice was perfection, by the way.
Posted by: jenifleur | November 22, 2005 at 08:17 AM
Margene, Wow! Another absolute winner. It looks like pure class on you - but you're a class act if there ever was one! You look simply marvelous in it and I can see why you'd want to make it a wardrobe staple. Chelle
Posted by: Chelle | November 22, 2005 at 08:24 AM
What an absolutely fantastic fit! I can't say that I've noticed it in there before, but now....well where's my magazine gone. I want one.
Posted by: Tracy | November 22, 2005 at 08:54 AM
Margene - It's perfect! Definitely a classic piece for a classy lady.
Posted by: Bear Knits | November 22, 2005 at 08:55 AM
Ooh ooh ooh. I want it!
Posted by: Lauren | November 22, 2005 at 09:14 AM
Gorgeous Margene! You look beautiful, as does the sweater! So glad it all knit up perfectly for you. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Cara | November 22, 2005 at 09:23 AM
that turned out beautifully. i can see how ti would become a piece of your wardrobe for quite some tome to come.
Posted by: marti | November 22, 2005 at 09:33 AM
One more thing - what scarf pattern is that, it looks great with Brier.
Posted by: Chelle | November 22, 2005 at 09:33 AM
Margene - This is one of my favorite pieces yet. It's absolutely perfect. The thing I love most about it is that I barely noticed this design in the Rowan book. You really brought it to life with your own personal flair. Bravo!
Posted by: Julia | November 22, 2005 at 09:34 AM
Congrats on a job well done and a gorgeous jacket. It looks fabulous on you!
I'm still plugging away on my Bramble Berry... :)
Posted by: Lizzy B | November 22, 2005 at 09:43 AM
I've been on the fence about BWA yarns. I received my color card and it's.so.scratchy! However, the colors are magnificent. I personally love "Jacob" and "Bracken." I've been thinking about trying one of their easier aran patterns like Red Rock and maybe, just maybe, I'll give it a whirl with some BWA yarn as well.
Lovely Brier. Lovely smiley photos. Such an inspiration, you truly are.
Posted by: Liz | November 22, 2005 at 10:11 AM
That is a Must Have if ever I've seen one. Gorgeous. Drop-dead gorgeous. I want one in red. ;-)
Posted by: Lee Ann | November 22, 2005 at 10:15 AM
Lovely!! Margene it's gorgeous. I love it :-)
Posted by: margaux | November 22, 2005 at 10:36 AM
It looks wonderful on you! What a great use for BWA yarn.
Posted by: monica | November 22, 2005 at 10:36 AM
Lovely, stunning, amazing. That describes you and the fit of this sweater to a T. Brier is such a wonderful knit and looks so beautiful on you. I love it. You look great and so does the sweater. I love the clever way you set up your photo shoots for your finished knits too. The gloves and scarf are a nice accompaniment.
Posted by: Wanda | November 22, 2005 at 10:39 AM