My E-Noro-Mous Coat….
Oh, dear. Poor Noah. I’m afraid he is pouting. All we did today was knit, and he’s not a bit happy about it. He really hates it when it’s not all about him.
I started the current hoodie/sweater/jacket/coat project a couple of weeks ago, and could really have had it finished in a few days, if we hadn’t been having so much monkey fun around here. As it is, I have finally managed to finish the back. About the time I cast on for this one, Noah decided he needed to have a blog and it’s been an uphill battle to make much progress.
He was most helpful at first…but, of course, this was before he decided he needed to commandeer the computer, make sisters (and we all saw how well that turned out), and generally become the center of the yarniverse. I had fallen in love with the Fletcher pattern from Simply Noro by Jane Ellison. Noah even helped pick out the yarn, which is a beautiful Noro Iro in Color No. 9. (Big snaps to Loops in Tulsa, Oklahoma for their fabulous yarn selection!)
The pattern is an easy knit, primarily stockinette with a moss stitch hood and sleeves. I hadn’t worked with Noro before, although I’ve had some Silk Garden in my stash for a few months. I have to say, I absolutely love this yarn! It is not the softest yarn in the world (okay…let’s face it…it’s actually quite coarse and rough), but I truly love the rugged, organic texture. The palette is spectacular, running the gamut of fiery orange, fuschia, cranberry, charcoal and sage, with delightful, unexpected surprises in the color patterns. I was able to achieve gauge with ease, and knitting with the Iro has been a pleasure.
So…..cute, quick, simple pattern…yarn that is enjoyable to work with….amazing colors….what’s not to love, right? Well, there’s just one itty-bitty-teeny problem. That problem seems to be me. I am about the size of the average 5th grader (perhaps even 4th grader), and at barely 5 feet tall, I’m afraid this coat is going to completely swallow me. I’m knitting the extra-small, and was well aware of the finished measurements before I began, but (as is always the case) I convinced myself that this sweater would make me look exactly like the 5’10” model in the pattern pics.
I was hoping to be able to wear this more as a hoodie than a jacket, to achieve a casual top or blouse effect over a tank or camisole, but this one is so gi-Noro-mous, it is definitely edging into coat territory. I’m certain it will be cute, and will make a nice oversized jacket to throw on when I want something comfy to wear with jeans on a blustery day.
I really need to quit being sucked in by dreams of looking like the models in my pattern books. (Unless, perhaps, they’re the ones in the Debbie Bliss children’s books…)
9 Comments
Hreow
If it is still too big, them perhaps you could felt it just a bit to shrink it? I agree about working with Noro. Good stuff. 🙂
SassylePoof!
Kathy, my name is Fru. F-R-U & I love the pattern and Noah’s moodiness! 🙂
Perhaps the hoody can be something that you enjoy just because it’s wonderful…regardless of size?
2muchfun
Noah needs a timeout. You need some very high heels. Problems solved.
monkey mom
I’ve been considering the option to felt ever since I realized just how big this thing was really going to be. You know, if nothing else, it could be a fun experiment (albeit a pricey one…)
Monkey Mom
I will definitely enjoy it – just the process of working with the Noro has been lovely. And if it doesn’t fit me, it will surely fit someone!
Monkey Mom
Right on both counts! You are a genius!!
KnitMaus
Or, instead of felting it – you can send it to me for the CocoMaus who is about your size right now but will have a growth spurt and fit into it beautifully!!! And the color – gorgeous. It will definitely upgrade her Justice tween look to something I don’t have to be ashamed to be seen with!! lol
knittymac
Isn’t Noro just the loveliest stuff? I am totally addicted, even though it isn’t the softest yarn on the planet. I’ve been pondering doing a monkey coat with some bits and bobs from other projects.
I’m running over to check out the pattern…
Hugs –
mac+
Monkey Mom
I absolutely love it. I want to buy every color in every yarn they make now. Must behave myself and knit from stash.
That’s a little pep talk I give myself from time to time. It doesn’t usually work, however….