Scissor happy.

My Mum would say the garden is looking a mess! And I'd agree with her, and mumble that I've handed it over to nature for a while, untill I have time to claim it back, and tame it.

All the topiary needs a haircut, it's starting to remind me of Struwwelpeter's hair. I like giving my Box shapes a trim, or even re-shaping them. I have grand ideas of Peacock shapes, and marvellous cake-like confections sweeping over the garden, a bit 'magical-like'. But these things take time, as box is slow growing, so it's a good thing I lean towards optimism isn't it?

So whilst I haven't got time to take my scissors to my Box shapes, this subject leads me neatly to my next topic, cutting my knitting.

Do you remember this little number I was knitting?

It was the Tea Dress by Jane Waller.

I say "it was".

I finished the back and front, and sewed them together, and then I tried it on. And oh dear, what a sight! I looked like some sort of frumpy, lumpy baggage, with the dress too long for a start. And that mantra that sometimes lurks at the back of my mind, of keeping dark colours at the bottom, not the top, suddenly became a harsh reality when the dress was on me. The dark red should have been in the skirt section, with the pale duck egg blue predominantly in the top half. When I hang pictures, this mantra always reigns supreme, so I have no idea why I chose to ignore it when it came to knitting myself a dress.

The textured skirt section also weighs more then the top half, so it had the effect off pulling the top half down a bit, I think. The skirt section, apart from being way too long, stopped at the top, on the widest section of my hips, very unflattering. My protruding tummy was hideously enhanced by the shape of the dress.

I felt miserable just wearing the dress (minus the arms at that point), and thought that maybe it was just the length.

So I made the mistake of trying to unravel a panel of the skirt from the bottom up, which didn't work with the textured pattern. (I've done this with stocking stitch, and found I can unravel from the bottom up with that stitch, but to my dismay, it did most definitely NOT work with the pattern of the skirt).

I decided that the whole thing was not going to defeat me. No, no, no.

I thought, "I know, I'll cut it in half, and make two dresses, with proportions that suit my figure, not the figure of some wispy broom handle in the pattern's pictures".

And that is exactly what I've done, I've cut my dress in half.

Here's the skirt section.

Can you see the bit of unravelling I've attempted, (top left hand corner), which has left a 'nice' frayed edge?

My plan is to hoist the whole thing up, and just add a top section which will turn it into a dress, with long sleeves added. I'm not sure how I'll resolve the frayed edge, I hope I don't have to knit and entirely new panel.

And here is the top section above, which I am extending downwards, increasing every four rows.

I had already changed the neck-line from the original pattern, so as things turn out, there's not a lot of the original pattern left in this top part.

And the great thing about this drastic scissor action? I actually prefer how this dress is turning out! I'm glad it was a disaster, because in my mind, these two-for-the-price-of-one dresses will look much better on me, and I've turned a bit of a disaster into something positive and exciting, which feels fantastic. Love it.

Just before I leave you, to get on with knitting my exciting striped dress, I thought I'd show you some more photos of my wild Struwwelpeter style garden.

 

So I'll wave goodbye now.................

Say a cheery cheerio, wish you a good weekend, blow you a kiss, and head towards my knitting! Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[Amanda]

But your garden is beautiful! Amanda x

[bakeandsewblog]

I agree the garden is stunning. I hope the dress works out for you in the end after all that hard work xx

[The Vintage Heart]

Hi Vanessa, your garden looks so similar too mine! i have loads of box and yew in mine and mine desperatly need a hair cut also,, but mine has take four years to join, must have planted too far apart, i am going to do a anoyher longer post on my garden this week end...so take a look if you can! I really like the top stripey bit of your dress,interestedt to see what it looks like finished! bested wishes,Linda.

[mlle paradis]

yes your garden IS beautiful! and it's fun to see what you're up to with the dress. you have much more patience than i. i knitted a waistcoat years ago that came out wonky. never tried knitting clothes again. paint is so much more forgiving!

[Joyce Stewart]

Yes, I once tried to unravel a pattern similar to that and it was a disaster which never saw the light of day again...it was a sweater....one learns the hard way.

[Anna]

Wow! You have stamina. I would have dropped the dress off in the nearest garbage can and moved on. Now you will have two lovely dresses for all your hard work. Can't wait to see them when you are finished.

[trina]

wow! I love your garden it looks fabulous! Just need to catch a glimpse of your lovely dogs in there and all will be perfect :-).

Good luck with your knitting. I'm all in favour of going off-road if things don't suit me...just takes a little time but I'm sure it will be worth it.

best wishes!

[Alice @ Crochet with Raymond]

I am stunned by your ambition! I would have completely given up on the dress so I am looking forward very much to seeing how it turns out!!!! I saw it on the table in one of your photos from your holiday and wondered what those beautiful colours were going to be, mystery solved! Loved your post today :)

[Mandy]

Gosh, I am in awe of you! To have the courage to cut the dress in half and then the knolwedge of how to proceed! Well, I take my hat off to you! You so deserve for these dresses to turn out well. I just can't wait to see the finished items! So glad you happy with how they going now.
Your garden is a dream. Perhaps in the autumn you will have time to give it a little trim. At least box grows slowly so it is quite forgiving if you leave it for a while.
Have a good weekend. Look forward to catching up with you next week. x

[Janice Perkin]

like everyone else I raise a glass to your stamina with the dress thing - well done - recyclely is the right thing - i just love the garden!

[Jane]

Can't wait to see how the dresses work out. (Perhaps you could bind the frayed edge with a knitted strip rather than reknit the whole panel). Garden looks very inviting to me.

[Alison]

Your garden looks lovely - it won't take long to give that box a haircut, when you are ready - Most important that you're in the clipping mood when you do it, cos gardens are meant to be enjoyed! So sorry the dress didn't work out the way you wanted - I've been following it's development, and I can't wait to see what you end up with (I'm so sure it'll be fab, though!) I think I'd have had a big hissy fit!

[Laura]

Your garden looks very inviting - I can't tell that it needs a haircut.

Your bravery in changing a knitted dress from something you don't like into two somethings you do like is inspiring! I, too, look forward to seeing what you do with the new ideas you have.

[Penny]

I'm impressed with your bravery with scissors. The problems you are having with the dress highlight why I don't knit things to wear myself. Knit is SO unforgiving over your perceived lumps and bumps etc and there is so much work involved before you find out the dreadful truth!
P x
PS I LOVE your garden!

[Magic Cochin]

Well done you - finding a way to love your knitting again. It could so easily have been put away in a bag and left half done. But you've told us about it on this blog, so someone would have said "That dress... ?"

Your garden is gorgeous, just as it should be. No-one should ever ever ever snip anything from their box topiary before The Derby (which was yesterday).

Celia
x

[Jenni at Baa-me Kniits]

Oh wow!! Scissors....how good are you! I agree very brave move! It is pretty disheartening to make something thinking it will be fantastic when its finished and then you try it on and it is just not right. Only the very brave ones would go ahead and wear it anyway and say who cares :-) Most of us would put it down to have another go later and there it would sit...Good on you!!

[Siobhan]

I had never heard of Struwwelpeter's hair, so off I went clicking on your link - what a good association! But gardens are meant to be a bit wild; hair we like a bit more tamed! Your garden can soon be sniped back into shape.
Such snippy snip adventures you are having with your dress - only for the brave hearted! (and fortune favours them we are told, so I'm sure it will all come out well). Your oceans of optimism are wonderful to behold and I know we are going to be looking at 1 if not 2 fantastic creations when you are finished. Nothing daunted nothing gained (or something like that). I really admire your attitude Vanessa and can't wait to see your new improved version. Lets face it, most of us would have burst into tears, had a hissy fit and thrown it, enraged into the bin after all our hard work! I love the fact you will not be defeated. And you know what, you have the skills and imagination to carry it off! Great tenacity and self will - can I have some?

[Jennyff]

I too am impressed that you took the scissors to your knitting, I'd have been more inclined to sulk than turn things round so positively. Your garden looks very pretty and interesting, no drastic action required there.

[Jessie]

Your garden is so pretty, what a lovely place to live! I think you're very brave taking the scissors to your knitting but if something's not right with it then it'll be well worth the extra work in the end. I hope it goes well and we get to see your lovely results. :) x

[Petit Filoux]

Loving your executive decision to cut the dress!! Must have been very scary but if you're happy with it now, then it was worth it! Can't wait to see what the 2 dresses end up looking like!
You have such a pretty garden!! xx

[Elena]

Admire your bravery! I would have dumped the whole thing never venturing to do smth else with it. Good luck! Love your garden.

[Debbie]

I love your blog and your colors! Always so cheerful! Come visit my blog...I have a present for you!

[Carole]

Wow Vanessa,
That was a brave thing to do, cutting your dress! What a shame after all that work. But i can`t wait to see your new finished dresses.
Do you know your garden looks lovely, all fresh and green.
Love Carole from Rossendale xxxxxx

[Julia]

Hi Vanessa - I can't believe you took to your knitting with the scissors - so brave. And I'm impressed that you can design something new (I just follow patterns to the letter), Good luck with the (now) 2 dress project.
The garden looks great (haircut or not) from my perspective of living in a 4th floor 'shoebox' with no balcony. Enjoy it for me.

[Pam]

Hi Vanessa, I think what you're doing to the dress is fantastic - and so much more exciting than following a pattern doggedly through to the end - especially when you know it's not going to work for you.
Can't wait to see the two finished items!
P x

[Rosie]

That is how a garden should be. I bet there are a million creatures living there. I have a locust somewhere in mine. he's eating the runner bean leaves.

[knittingoutloud]

Your garden is rather wonderful! And I think the dress will be too.

[maryanne]

Your garden is gorgeous-I've got a section of garden I've been umming and aahing over, and I think yours might give me some inspiration.Except that I don't have your beautiful artistic eye!

[Jaymee]

Just wanted to tell you I have included your blog in Greenkiddie.co.uk's challenge of 3 blogs I love :D hope you dont mind xxx

[Penny]

I think I would have thrown the whole thing on the floor and jumped on it! You are SO patient Vanessa, I am very impressed! And your garden looks lovely! Penny x

[Jo]

How wonderfully creative of you to have the bravery to cut up your dress....I'm sure I'd have just thrown up my hands in despair and given up!

I agree with previus comments - I love the "messiness" of your garden and think it's beautiful!

Jo x