Marilyn's Not-So-Shrunken

Oh yeah. This shrunken cardigan. You'd think it'd cut you "right there," but it doesn't. Or at least it doesn't cut me "right there."

I'm usually really picky about "shrunken" or "brief" clothing items. I am from the school that says that bigger is better, or at least, you'll feel better if it's a bit bigger.

And you'll look a bit thinner. But, let's face it, that part is a crap shoot.

But the cardigan. I had a few comments from you saying that if I should write up the pattern, to keep in mind different sizes, and the ruffles. The ruffles, wouldn't they add size?

Hey, friends, I'm on it. I don't want no ruffles ruining my physique, either.

I don't know. Some of us just can't stand things that are too tight, or that add size. Me in particular. Sure, I've been through the whole Jordache Jeans thing and had to keep a pair of pliers or a wrench in my bedroom to pull up the zipper, but I got over that phase in no time flat.

I just have this thing about things that are too tight. I must have gotten it from my mother.

My mom. My wonderful mom. Shoot. She was all of 5'2" and about 100 pounds. This woman hated things that bound too much that she'd buy those old-lady panties you see in K-Mart (no offense to old ladies...they just know a thing or two about comfortable undies).

Mom used to buy those, oh, about three sizes too big (maternity was even better) and would take them home and cut the elastic. I couldn't believe my eyes. Of course, they usually matched a bra, which would never be cut, but stuffed, instead.

And Mom, the ultimate in stay-at-home mommage, would take lots of classes at the community college. Painting. Pottery. Flower Arranging. And wouldn't you know that on the finals day of Flower Arranging class, she'd be wearing undies-with-the-elastic-cut-so-they-don't-bind along with her flowy denim prairie skirt and faux leather cowboy boots? She came home that day, all red-faced and told me how she had her hands full of flower arrangements, the breeze blowing her skirt here and there, swish, swish, and the flowers nearly toppled. She spotted her professor there, across the quad and she walked toward him with her flower arrangements. The wind really began to blow and her skirt was swirling about her and as she walked across the quad...as she walked...

Her cut-up undies began to come down. Inch by inch. Step by step, they came down. And those arrangements were heavy. They were heavy...

"Hello Professor! Hello!" (And they came down, down, down. Step by step. Inch by inch...they came down.)

And the second she met him there, on the quad, flower arrangements held high, her underpants fell down to her ankles and THWAP! She hopped, nearly did the splits, and managed to catch them, mid-flight, at her ankles. Her cowboy boots, suspending them off the ground. Tah Dah!

She got an A.

I am loving this cardigan because I am one of those who hates things that bind too much. But this one here still looks brief. It still looks minimal. And I like that about it. But it's not too tight.

So from now on, this here Shrunken Cardigan will be Marilyn's Not-So-Shrunken Cardigan. (After my mom.)

BTW: This is another all-in-one-piece top-down item. I LOVE that...(no seaming!)

Comments

[jill]

Love it Wendy! I think you are the fastest knitter I know. Wasn't too sure about the ruffles when you mentioned them a few posts ago because of the "tuxedo" reference, but just didn't have the right pic in my mind. They look great! Little Miss Designer, you!

[lynda]

Beautiful cardi! Are the cowboy boots in honor of you mom, too? That's a great story. Those memories are priceless when we miss someone...

[KatieLiz]

As usual, a wonderful cardi, great pictures and a truly wonderful story. I could see your mom walking across the campus and I was literally holding my breath until her boots saved the day... or undies, as it were. :) I bet she's smiling down on you and proud as can be.

[Jeanie]

Absolutely amazingly wonderfully beautiful! I'll be buying this pattern for sure! When will it be available???

[wendy]

Jeanie, who knows? I have to figure out if enough people want it...it's written out for my size, in scribbles, and I just have to wait to see if there is an interest!

Thing is, it is one of those items that is really customizable, so it is really a fits-all sort of thing...

[Rachel]

Oh I love this! I want one! I'll buy it!!
Great job Wendy! Really Fantastic!

[Taryn]

wow that is gorgeous! you did a fantastic job, definitely do a pattern, i'd love to knit it.

[erin]

It is just right! Love the subtle frill-ruffle at the button band. It will look so good worn with a little dress too.

[Shar]

Count me in the "I want the pattern" list. Awesome as always.

[Lauren]

Really really cute. I love that buttonband edging. I've always been put off by ruffle-ish things because of the tediousness involved. I think I may have to give it a go now. Is the sculpting grandfather your mom's dad??

[drh]

I love how your dog always makes an appearance in your photos...he looks like a sweetie.

The cardigan looks great!!

[wendy]

sculpting grandfather is my mom's step-father...she never knew her real dad...such a long story. But the boob man was the only father she ever really knew! (and let me tell you, it's a novel...that story)

[wendy]

Oh, and Lauren, I have to say those ruffles were really easy. I just crocheted them directly onto the fabric. Really fast and easy. Double crochet, that is all it is...

[sarah]

Oooooh, I want one I want one! How am I ever gonna get 2 swing coats done now that there's this?!! BTW, these are FABULOUS photos of you, what a purdy gal! Loving your sleeping pup in the background too, he photographs quite nicely as well.

[Kerstin]

Cute sweater! Wow, are you pulling all-knit-nighters? Hey, bloglines stopped updating you on Sunday. I was getting worried, so I checked in and here you are blogging away ...
Not sure if you changed a feed or they messed up, you may want to contact them.

[Laura]

Wow! Love it! You've got me seriously longing for some of that Silky Tweed now. I'd buy your pattern -- put it up please! (BTW, my younger son really likes your dog.)

[Debbie]

Love the sweater! Please post the pattern. The ruffles are perfect and do not overwhelm the sweater or annouce the ladies.

[Stephanie]

Wendy,
I read you everyday and haven't commented until now. I couldn't keep quiet on this cardigan - it's fantastic, and I would buy the pattern!

[heather]

It's fabulous Wendy! You are so talented. You had me worried with the ruffles, but they look great. I love it, and I really like the color.

[Miz Booshay]

Dear Wendy,
You look so pretty with your hair pulled back!
I happen to love the ruffles on your sweater...I think they are the perfect touch :o)

Chuck is the coolest dog!

You just look so great in your sweater, jeans and boots!

And about your mother...she sounds lovely, droopy drawers and all.

[laurie]

love it, love it!!!! can't wait for a pattern, wherever and however you decide to publish. this is a great one!! just be sure to let us know how we, your fans, can find it.
i'll be putting all my other needles down (i have multi projects too) to work on this one. i even have some silky wool.

[Angela]

I'm another one that looks forward to your posts everyday, but have never responded. Please add me to the "I'll buy a pattern" brigade!!! I LOVE IT!!

[Angela]

One more question... What kind of boots are those? I was just telling my friend that I wanted to buy a pair of brown cowboy boots for this winter, and those look perfect!

[Amy in Awe]

GORGEOUS! Count me in on the pattern count. :-)

[Sauniell]

It looks great and I love the use of the ruffles. Most times they just remind me of those underpants I used to wear under my skirts when I was 3 but yours look tres chic.

And just to think, a few months ago you thought you were in a rut and didn't know what more you could knit. Now you're spitting out pattern after pattern.

If you would like a test knitter for this pattern, let me know. I'd be happy whip this one up.