I like French Girl. I first noticed them on Dreamweaver Yarns. There’s something incredibly alluring in the unprofessionalism of the photos, the hotness of the not-too-skinny models and the seemingly simple projects. Lots of weather-non-specific items like shapely drapey shawls, twisty scarves and oh the capelets. I can’t get enough capelets. For a somewhat advanced beginner like myself, the capelet is the perfect triumph of more-than-a-scarf, not-really-a- shawl, certainly-not-yet-a-sweater.
Tonight I tried my hand at Fantine. For $6.50, you really get four sweaters in one; the pattern includes directions for a mandarin collar and a scoop neck, as well as cap sleeves and 3/4 sleeves. I chose to knit the 3/4 scoop neck version. I only orded the pattern yesterday, and amazingly, like the Christmas I never had, she came swiftly to my mailbox all packaged up nicely just in time for a trip out to my favorite yarn store in Manhattan. Three balls of Rowan Big Wool Fusion later, I discovered that French Girl has no concept of difficulty level.
Apparently lots or all of French Girl’s patterns require the cable cast on, since the link for directions is included on their site. I learned it and then sat down to struggle with crossed stitches. From what I can tell, crossed stitches work to make the appearance of cables or something rather cable-like, anyway, without cable needles. That’s great, since I think I will probably grow old before I try my hand at cables. My crossed stitches didn’t really look anything like cables, however, but rather like a child knitted a sweater. I did a little research, but there doesn’t seem to be much out there past the concept and the simple execution.
I plan to pick Fantine back up this weekend, in between finishing up my report from my summer internship and reading for Economics of the Welfare State. Crossed stitches are only the beginning of the narrative of this pattern beating the crap out of me, but if I can get through them it will be an accomplishment.
December 11, 2006 at 5:51 pm |
Thank God! I thought I was the only one who thought they had no concept of difficulty level. I bought the pattern and 3 balls of rowan from dreamweaver. If I had of read the pattern first, I probably wouldn’t have decided to knit it. Now, with the yarn, I’m committed to it. I’m dreading this one; I have no idea how to do the “LCS”. At least they have a link on how to do the “cable cast on”. I need pictures and a drink before I knit this one. Good luck to you!
December 11, 2006 at 6:04 pm |
Mary, thanks for chiming in! In an ideal world, its nice to have no “difficulty level,” kind of like the Stitch n’ Bitch books – makes you feel like you can accomplish anything with a little patience and practice. But yes, patterns like Fantine carry a little anxiety for people like me. I’m sure you will catch on to LCS & RCS. I eventually got it down, although I should probably begin again; the left side of the sweater is far less neat than the right. Fantine is a quick knit once you get the crossed stitches down, but as I have never picked up stitches before, I’m having a problem with the sleeves. There’s a nice neat crease where there shouldn’t be one. Also a warning – I think I knit the sweater a little too long, but I needed to buy one more ball of wool to finish. Good luck!
March 13, 2008 at 10:01 am |
How on earth did you figure them out? I also sat down, very excited to start this pattern, finished my cable cast on and sat there. I looked up LCS and RCS online and did what that site said but it did not increase the number of stitches. When I finished my LCS + p1 x 8 I was no where near the center of the yoke.
I have been looking online all morning but am getting a little frustrated. I am in total agreement with Mary. First I am not going to be defeated by yarn, needles and a pattern. Here’s to a drink, Friday night and Fantine!
Laura