A bit of knitting, before I go to knitting.

Hello, I feel like I'm in a race with time at the moment, and I'm the Tortoise, not the Hare.

So I have faith that I'll win in the end.

Actually, today was the most glorious day, I was able to start tidying my studio, (you remember I mentioned it looked like a burglar had done his worst, in Monday's post?). It felt slightly ridiculous that I was so elated I could spare some time to catch up with all my un-catch-up-ables. Really, I had a sort of pent-up excited feel that normally comes along with nice things, like knowing a nice surprise it's on its way.

That shows just how chaotic things had become, that I was over-the-moon about tidying.

Anyway, on to the knitting shall we?

A while ago, that is, over a year or more ago, I received a Hanne Falkenberg kit from Hugo, for my Birthday. It was the Mermaid Jacket kit, and you can see the finished knitting above. I wore it so much, and received so many nice compliments from my fellow knitters at my knitting group about it, that I thought I'd knit a second version, in my own choice of colours.

And this is what I present you with today:

Voila! One Mermaid Jacket, finished last year, but only photographed yesterday.

And I wear it ALLLLL the time. It is so, so useful, and I love the colours. I wear it more than the first Mermaid Jacket I knitted, and I wear it over many jumpers when it's freezing cold, or I wear it over a single top, for that little bit of extra warmth.

But I won't be knitting a third Mermaid Jacket, because knitting the second was painful enough. There just wasn't the excitement there, that second time round. I knew what was happening, I knew the end product, there was no surprise, and it felt like a chore.

I learnt that unless something is quick to knit, I can't handle knitting two of the same long-winded projects.

Still, the end result I'm thrilled with.

For the second Mermaid Jacket I knitted, I used Patons Diploma Gold 4ply, in colours Iced Green, Violet, and Lime, and the pattern can be seen here. There are other colourways you can look at here. I knitted the small size.

Well, I must be on my way now, as it's time to go to Wednesday night knitting group. I'll catch up with you on Friday then. Cheerio. Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[Anna-Karin, Sweden]

Oh, it's beautiful!! You always make so wonderful knitted clothes!!!
I just finished this "waistcoat" (if you look at this link, you see how it should look, well mine actually looks like it, so I guess I did it right :) http://www.torgstenen.se/productimages.php?iProductId=517&iImageId= ), and I'm pleased with it. But, now I want to do something in "spring colours". Iguess I'll crochet a blanket again... Maybe in "milk-yarn", it really is so soft.
Have a great evening!!
Love from Anna-Karin xxx

[Val Reaves]

It's beautiful!...but I know what you mean about doing things the second time around; it seems that I enjoy my creative endeavors the most when I'm being challenged.
Well done,
Cheers,
Val :-)

[Jacqueline]

Your jacket is lovely, I think I prefer your colour scheme. You haven't shown us any photos of yourself for a while - your hair is really long. I have really fine hair which is cut quite short, otherwise it looks hideous. I would rather have long hair though.

[gill]

hi vanessa
i love the mermaids jacket - i'm not surprised you wear it all the time - i would too!!! if only i could knit like you.........
gill

[HeidiBears]

Hi Vanessa, it's gorgeous! Just like the lovely colours on your blog...
Love, Heidi :)

[Petit Filoux]

Wow it's beautiful!!!! I don't think I'd have the energy or the patience to do something so big! Well you know, bigger than a scarf or pair of mittens!!

[Carole]

Hi Vanessa,
The jacket is gorgeous, it looks sooo smart.
I`ve had a real treat today in a funny sort of way. Due to visiting my Mum in hospital on tuesday & today i`ve been able to have a treat and look forward to reading your 2 blogs in one session! It was lovely,and the lovely flowers on monday`s blog were soo cheerful & colourful.Thanks sooo much
Love Carole from Rossendale xxxxxxx

[Tracey]

Gorgeous! I love the way it is knitted vertically. The colours look great - am very jealous :)

[sue]

Your a very skillful knitter to knit 2 Mermaid jackets. I love the colorway you chose as it is nice and bright, just like your blog! Do you feel happy now that you have tidied your studio - I always feel better when all the tidying up is done too.

[The Vintage Heart]

Hi, i love the jacket ,I love the colours, all from nature and the flattering all most peplum effect.thank you for for the lovely comments on my blog, its so nice to have contact and feed back.. hugs to your little lovely furry babies ... Linda.

[Claire]

I love that jacket - the colours are fabulous, and I can see why you wear it all the time.

[Lesley]

Nice jacket Vanessa! And isn't it great to have a clear out? You'll have your studio spic and span in not time!

[Christine]

Hi Vanessa! I love the jacket. I don't think I could take on a project that difficult yet. I'm teaching myself to knit, and I'm still trying to get the hang of increasing and decreasing! I've been a crocheter all my life, but using 2 needles instead of one hook takes some getting used to!! Happy knitting! Chris

[Aubrey Cotton-Stapleton]

Where do you find time Vanessa!!!!!!!!!!! I think your jacket is beautiful and i too prefer your colours but don't tell Hugo that! The flowers are gorgeous too and I love that you have gone into Spring with all the flowers and we have begun Autumn with all the beautiful richness of the golds, redsd and bronzes. And the thought of winter fires!!!!!!!!!!! Love Aubrey

[Jenni]

Fantastic Jacket!!! No need to say anything else :-)

[Nicola]

Interesting construction - I like it!

[frances]

Hello Vanessa.

That jacket is so clever in its fit. Well done to have made it twice! I can imagine that it is a grand style to wear often and ... that radically switching the colorways around would make it look very different.

I defintely do not mind if you knit! xo

[Mandy]

What a lovely jacket and such a good fit! Congratulations on your achievements!

So glad your clear out and tidy went well. Hope you feel more on top of things now.

x

[Magic Cochin]

Oooooo love that jacket pattern, isn't that a clever shape! I want one... I want to knit one... and I want to start now...

And look what you've done Vanessa! I've just got totally distracted looking at Hanne Falkenberg patterns of the web... when I should be doing the VAT return - sigh!!!!

Celia
x

[Bridget]

Wow - that is one gorgeous cardi! It looks really good - is it knitted sideways? I love the colours you used and the stripe effect is very slimming. Where did you get the pattern from? Please tell!

[jill]

Loving your new cardi - you've chosen fab colours.

[Jessie]

I love your colour choice the best! What a lovely design, it's a good flattering shape too isn't it? I'm actually painting a mermaid right now!xx

[Julie]

ooh, it's gorgeous - such lovely colours, they really suit you. Am not in the least surprised you get compliments whenever you go out wearing it, you look super. x x

[Vintage Town]

Looks absolutely lovely, your sense of colour is fab (but then I suppose it would be , what with you being an illustrator and all!)

Also, love your scarves made from tiny squares...beautiful!

[Penny Graham-Jones]

It's fabulous ,Vanessa, I do like those colours. You've got such patience, a whole jacket - twice! I struggle with two sleeves! Penny xx

[elaine]

What a lovely jacket - the colours are gorgeous! Yes, I lose enthusiasm after I've done one of anything. That's probably why I struggle to do 2 sleeves, 2 socks.... :-)

I'd also like to give you a sunshine award for all the inspiration, positivity and creativity you give to us all. Do pop over to my blog to get all the info. A huge thank you for everything you do.

[Jennyff]

That jacket suits you so well. What a shame you didn't enjoy knitting version two, you must be the kind of person who loves new things whereas I am happy to churn out sock after sock after sock. I dream of having a smart and useful jacket like that, once I wear out my existing clothes and put together my capsule wardrobe.

[Tracie]

I love it! I am such a new knitter and get discouraged easily, but seeing beautiful garments like this makes me want to keep going!

[Lynne]

Gosh you are so clever to knit something like that and not once, but TWICE! Knitters do have my admiration. I never have the patience. It is so lovely, and it looks comfortable too.

[Laura]

Both Mermaids are beautiful! I applaud your ability to knit two of them - I so often lose interest in a pattern after knitting it just one time. So nice to have two of a design you love!

[Barbara]

What an adorable jacket! Stylish but very wearable too, isn't garter stitch wonderful (even though it apparently takes twice the time someone said?) it's worth it! Goodness, there is so very much knitting in that piece I would certainly not have finished one, let alone two! Thank you for the link to the pattern and colorways, I love the very first one in blues and fawns, to dream about making "someday"! Take care won't you, Vanessa.

[maggie]

Such a beautiful jacket. I went to look at cucumberpatch.co.uk and wasn't put off by the price, but the fact it was done on circular needles, and dpn's. Have trouble with the latter..... so well-knitted though, so flattering to the figure, possibly even if you don't have much of a waistline any more!

[Pooch]

Absolutely gorgeous!! What a joy it must be to wear such a beautiful garment.
:)

[Siobhan]

I missed commenting on this post, but really when I saw it I did think how lovely the jacket is so have come back belatedly to tell you! I do really like both colourways and I can really see why you wear Hugo's so much, well now you can ring the changes. I think it's so clever how it is designed, its really nicely shaped - flatteringly fitted and I love how the different coloured shapes are part of the shaping. It's fantastic and I want one! (to be diplomatic I would say that I love your colours the most just to look at, but the green one would suit me most. On you they are both lovely!)

[sumea]

it's beautiful! and again...i love the colours! and the shape too.

i hope you are having a lovely weekend. sending my warmest wishes xxx

sumea

[Joyce Stewart]

Beautiful jacket which I would love to knit if I had the figure to fit it....the close fitting would not be me and as I am only 5' it would be down to my knees almost...congratulations on a terrific garment.