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June 12, 2005
For the Benefit of Mr Kite
Sgt Pepper, started 25 Apr 05 finished 10 June 05
Pattern: The Rebel, published by Alchemy Yarn
I'm really proud of how this turned out. I learnt so much about form and function in the making of Sgt Pepper. For example, the epaulettes are going to help these shoulders not to droop; the cabled cord around the collar will help prevent it stretching out; and the plackets (or whatever you might call them that the buttons are attached to), actually give the front of the jacket the structure it needs not to roll inwards, even with a hemmed band up the inside front sections.
Sgt Pepper is knit in Debbie Bliss Cathay, which was a good choice. It has the 'inelasticity' of cotton, but is not so heavy: all that embellishing in 100% cotton would have pulled on the knit fabric beneath it. I compromised on the buttons, again for weight. These are plastic, not brass.
This piece is all about the detail. The main body was knitted up weeks ago: my time since then has been spent on the finishing.
Inspired by the 'Shocking' Cardigan in Interweave Knits winter 04, the body of the jacket is made of seven pieces rather than the usual five, with much shaping. It's difficult to photograph, being black, but I love the tailored effect it gives.
And the most amazing thing of all, I think I'm even going to wear it. Garments like this (and in fact, to a lesser extent, Sally) require a kind of commitment from the wearer: you know that people's attention will be drawn to what you are wearing, so you have to be prepared to be the object of onlookers' gazes. But I wore this one out all day yesterday, and nobody actually pointed and laughed. Or at least, if they did, they had the good grace to do so behind my back.
Posted by Amelia at June 12, 2005 09:45 AM
Comments
That is fantastic!! If people are pointing and talking it's because the jacket is so amazing.
Posted by: Jane at June 12, 2005 10:11 AM
Absolutely brilliant! If people stare and talk, they probably wonder where you got that jacket. You should wear a tag saying "I am the creator of this amazing knitwear". Take the full credit for it. You should be proud. Well done again.
Posted by: francoise at June 12, 2005 11:18 AM
You are amazing!! We're going to see your name in the knitting mags in no time as the newest up and coming designer. It is so beautiful Anna (you too!!). You should be so proud of what you have created...I wish I could give you a huge hug!
Posted by: Jackie at June 12, 2005 11:53 AM
What a seriously fantastic accomplishment! Your hardwork and ingenuity is all too apparent. Congratulations!
Posted by: Cara at June 12, 2005 12:09 PM
fabulous work! just amazing!
Posted by: froggy at June 12, 2005 12:26 PM
your designs are gorgeous. i love sally, hope to make it. and sargeant pepper is too cool for words. you are a courageous knitter, both in technique and in design. very refreshing, keep it up, i'm staying tuned.
Posted by: corine at June 12, 2005 12:54 PM
That jacket is FABULOUS!!! You are a brilliant knitter, designer, artist extraordinaire! And you're right, it's definitely something to wear often and proudly out and about! The pictures are artful, as well. I feel lucky to have found your blog and will be watching for what comes next!
Posted by: michele at June 12, 2005 01:42 PM
Stunningly beautiful!!! You should be proud to wear it out!
Posted by: joy at June 12, 2005 02:06 PM
Oh Anna that is the most amazing thing--really it should be headed straight to Vogue. Not only is it beautiful and witty it is also one of the most professional-looking pieces I've seen on the blogs-your attention to detail really paid off here. Brilliant--just brilliant.
Posted by: Ashley at June 12, 2005 02:23 PM
i am not going to tell you how amazing and fabulous this jacket looks. nor am i going to sing praises to your brilliance. because in both instances i have been beaten to the punchline.
i am however going to tell you that this creation has lived up to and exceeded every expectation i had.
Posted by: Jacqueline at June 12, 2005 02:31 PM
Oh my stars. Yes, what they all said. I love it, it's beautiful. Now: did you write down everything you did for us?
Posted by: jodi at June 12, 2005 02:32 PM
Fantastic! I absolutely love it.
Posted by: Cari at June 12, 2005 02:54 PM
Lucy in the sky with diamonds!!
Absolutely incredible work.
Posted by: Vicki at June 12, 2005 03:18 PM
What an excellent jacket! I love the detailing and the colours - it's so beautifully done. You clever, clever girl!
Posted by: Anita at June 12, 2005 03:32 PM
What a fascinating work!
Greetings
Andrea
Posted by: Andrea at June 12, 2005 03:38 PM
The detail is marvelous. Congratulations on completing it!
Posted by: hojo at June 12, 2005 03:47 PM
My wow comment was supposed to go on this entry, so I'll just say it again! Wow!
Posted by: Stacey at June 12, 2005 04:01 PM
hi anna, this jacket is among one of the best and original designs i have seen, totally fabulous and fashionable! and you have the grace to carry this piece. what a beautiful work! you should be very proud!
Posted by: blossom at June 12, 2005 04:04 PM
That is one of the most incredible pieces of knitting I've ever seen. Amazing. You did a terrific job!
Posted by: Anne at June 12, 2005 04:24 PM
Great work! You're hard work has paid off...I truly can't imagine anyone laughing at that.
Posted by: Bookish Wendy at June 12, 2005 05:00 PM
oh my god! that is truly one fantastic garment. wear it with pride!
Posted by: kris at June 12, 2005 05:45 PM
That is incredible. Well done. You are my new hero.
Posted by: SF Knitter at June 12, 2005 07:16 PM
Oh my, it's really gorgeous! I love the last picture where you are wearing it, it looks sooo good on you.
Posted by: terhi at June 12, 2005 07:44 PM
Sgt.Pepper is awesome, definitley worth submission somewhere, or at least offer it for sale yourself. I think it looks great, and you can carry it off.
Posted by: deb at June 12, 2005 08:02 PM
Get on to Rowan right this minute Missy! Go on....I mean NOW!
Posted by: Tracy at June 12, 2005 08:44 PM
Well done! The time you spent on finishing was well worth it- your worries about whether is was going to be too costume-y can be put to rest. You look quite chic! Great idea, well executed- and that Cathay must feel terrific, too.
Congratulations!
Posted by: Mary-Heather at June 12, 2005 09:04 PM
How very cool! So . . . Beatlesque, and yet stylish. I'm impressed!
Posted by: Deb at June 12, 2005 09:12 PM
Vlever,clever,clever knitter ! It's fantastic.Cool beyond words !
Offer the pattern for sale.You could send it as a .pdf file on payment of,say,£5.00 via paypal...just an idea !
You look gorgeous,and should feel very proud of your latest design.
Posted by: Emma at June 12, 2005 10:42 PM
The jacket is truly wonderful, Anna - and you look cool as hell in it! I hope you are massively proud of yourself, I know we all are of you.
Posted by: Noo at June 12, 2005 11:04 PM
Anna it looks wonderful, both on and off. Your attention to detail is amazing. Well done, your hard work has really paid off.
Posted by: Mary at June 12, 2005 11:11 PM
Wow! That just looks amazing. What an amazing achievement, such detail. It's just beautiful.
Posted by: Jo at June 13, 2005 01:26 AM
i looked at it, and thought it was sewn. i paged down and realized it was knitted. wow!! and it looks so great on...
Posted by: natasha Fialkov at June 13, 2005 02:09 AM
Brilliant! =:-O
Posted by: Joan C at June 13, 2005 02:38 AM
Congratulations, the jacket is stunning on you! You're a really wonderful designer!
Posted by: Siow Chin at June 13, 2005 03:19 AM
WOW. That is just amazing - by far the coolest knitted thing I've seen in a long time. The. Coolest.
Posted by: jess at June 13, 2005 04:36 AM
Wow, you did it - it is really Sgt pepper, down to the last details! Love the fit and all the finishing touches! Anna, your knitwear designs are superb!
Posted by: erin at June 13, 2005 05:42 AM
As many of the other readers commented, the jacket is beautiful with all of the detailing. You are truly a talented designer.
Posted by: Liz at June 13, 2005 06:07 AM
Wow, that is totally gorgeous. I love it! Perfect finishing and a fun, unique design. You are going to have so much fun wearing that!
Posted by: kerrie at June 13, 2005 07:45 AM
Greetings from Malaysia! I'm so glad to have discovered your blog because I absolutely love your patterns :) You're so talented! I must say, Sgt. Pepper is a spiffy looking jacket and so unique... gorgeous work!
Posted by: lyn at June 13, 2005 09:33 AM
Freakin awesome. Really. And great photos, too.
kikiluscious in AZ
Posted by: kikiluscious at June 13, 2005 09:57 AM
whoa! I've been patiently waiting for it's debut. Well worth it! this is beyond words! it's got skill written all over! How could u think ppl will point and stare and laugh? It's a very gorgeous and stylish piece. I think you shld sent it to the mags.
Posted by: lauray at June 13, 2005 11:19 AM
Bloody hell - that's amazing! It looks fantastic modelled by yourself as well. I'm so impressed, go you!
Posted by: jen at June 13, 2005 11:53 AM
WOW - is all I can say - that is just so amazing - how clever you are - you must be chuffed - it's looks fantastic !
Posted by: Becky at June 13, 2005 11:56 AM
Amazing job!!!
Posted by: Colleen at June 13, 2005 12:02 PM
Wow wow wow... that's just awesome! A fantastic jacket inspired by one of the greatest albums of all time. :) "It was 20 years ago tonight..." So - what's next?!
Posted by: Meg at June 13, 2005 01:31 PM
that's an amazing jacket. enough said :)
Posted by: yahaira at June 13, 2005 02:15 PM
Now that is some beautiful knit!!! Amazing! I would love to design & do something different like that.
Posted by: Eilene at June 13, 2005 02:24 PM
Wonderful! Fantastic design, fantastic fit, fantastic all around.
Posted by: Janine at June 13, 2005 03:22 PM
Amazing! What fun and those shaping darts are gorgeous. Love the pic of you outside looking so casual in that masterpiece.
Posted by: Lauren at June 13, 2005 03:39 PM
Wow- that is absolutely fantastic! So original! I would wear it in a heartbeat- and it looks so great on you!
Great!
Great!
Great!
Posted by: Theresa at June 13, 2005 05:55 PM
I followed a link to your site from another blog, and I'm glad I did. That jacket rocks! I can't imagine anyone laughing at it, and if they pointed at it, that was only because it looks amazing on you. Bravo! Nicely done.
Posted by: Gaile at June 14, 2005 02:44 AM
I think that's so cute!! I know, cute might not be the right word, but that's exactly what I thought when I first saw it, just cute!!
Posted by: yuvi at June 14, 2005 11:05 AM
Truly original, and unbelievably creative. Congrats!
Posted by: Leslie at June 14, 2005 01:26 PM
Anna, I'm breathless! What a beautiful work of art you've created. Wear it proudly and appreciate all the stares you'll receive. Perhaps you need to think of yourself as a walking gallery! You're an inspiration to us all.
Posted by: nona at June 14, 2005 05:01 PM
That's the best thing i've ever seen!
Posted by: Anonymous at June 14, 2005 05:53 PM
Brilliant! I love it.
Posted by: emy at June 15, 2005 01:30 AM
i am totally going to fly to england and steal that amazing jacket. except i wouldn't look nearly as good as you--so so sophisticated in those jeans!
go fabulous you!
Posted by: jessie at June 15, 2005 02:14 AM
Oh my lord! That is fabulous!
Start the show, girl!
Posted by: Christina at June 15, 2005 03:53 AM
I'm stunned! It's brilliant. You are an amazing designer.
Posted by: jenny at June 15, 2005 04:16 PM
I know it's a few days on, but I just had to say that your jacket is amazing. I'm floored, well done!
Posted by: Trixye at June 15, 2005 06:37 PM
Wow Anna! Sgt. Pepper is awesome. What detailing. You are a girl after my own heart (only with more discipline!). It's really fabulous. You have a great fashion flair.
Posted by: Julia at June 16, 2005 03:21 PM
I know you have already received glowing praise for this, but i am floored by your origninality!
Posted by: uglyagnes at June 17, 2005 12:04 PM
Anna, only a very talented and gifted knitter could have made this. It is amazing. Your work is beautiful. Knit on.
Susan
Posted by: Susan at June 20, 2005 02:43 AM
So chic and original, I sing your praises.
Posted by: Kelly CA at June 22, 2005 07:18 PM
The jacket is absolutely spectacular. You should sell the pattern on this blog-I would totally buy it-seriously!!! I just found your blog through knitcast and it is great!
Posted by: abby at June 30, 2005 08:35 PM