the poncho may be red, but my heart and soul are blue

Hi all. Pardon my absence, but I had to go dark for a few days in order to mourn. I’ve regained some of my will to live, though, so here I am. And look, I haven’t been completely unproductive!

karis done.JPG

I haven’t decided exactly how I feel about this poncho. I used Lion Brand Imagine, a mohair blend that is heavier than the Rowan Kidsilk Haze that the pattern calls for. It doesn’t look all pretty and delicate like the model in the pattern book, but I thought the extra weight would give it more warmth and thus be more practical. I guess I forgot about the big, open clown neck. The pattern tells you to knit a cord to weave into the neck, but I don’t think it would cinch the neck up all that much. Turtleneck, anyone? Here’s another view with the poncho twisted so the seams are at the sides:
karis done side.JPG

It was a fun knit, though I did wonder at times if the hem border would ever end. I’m not exactly a fashion maven, so I’ll probably end up wearing it mostly inside the house. The details:
Pattern: Karis from Rowan 36
Yarn: Lion Brand Imagine in cerise; 4 balls on um, 5 mm needles? Now I can’t remember. I think I just used the recommended size

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29 Responses to the poncho may be red, but my heart and soul are blue

  1. Stephanie says:

    I think it looks adorable!

  2. tracy says:

    You are a knitting goddess! I love stopping by your site to see what your latest creation is. I only wish I could knit more than a scarf! =( thanks for sharing! -t

  3. Gina says:

    Hush, girl! You are a fashion maven! I have seen the delights you’ve whipped up on your sewing machine. Why the mourning — I hope it’s political and not personal.

  4. alison says:

    I really like it.
    Sorry to hear about your country.

  5. Katherine says:

    I think I like it this way more, actually–the one in the magazine is too fluffy and light. This poncho looks like it’ll be more useful.

  6. Karis looks fabulous! Beautiful color!

  7. manda says:

    ooh, prettyful. 🙂

  8. Pam says:

    i was pretending to shop on the internet just to cheer myself up lol and i saw this and thought you might like it 🙂 http://www.shopintuition.com/products/CandyPillows/index.html

  9. amy says:

    Looks great just as you are wearing it. A pair of jeans and you are stylin’!

  10. lena says:

    so cute! i really like the second picture look with the collar thing up. nice!

  11. Celia says:

    The poncho is lovely. I’ll have to look at the pattern, because I have a ton of kidsilk haze that I’ld like to use on something. Wear it out! And be proud! I’m sorry that red has to be associated with the election. Let’s reclaim the color red as a liberal progressive color. I cast on a red hat yesterday. It’s my anti-Bush Peace hat.
    Cheers!

  12. Laurie says:

    I feel your pain.

  13. Theresa says:

    Lovely adaption! Looks like it will be very fun for the fall.
    And I also feel your pain. It’s been that way for me, too. I feel so let down. At least we know that our home states fought the good fight.

  14. Silvia says:

    I like it! I don’t know what the original pattern looks like, but your version is very nice. I’d toy with weaving a pretty grosgrain ribbon at the neck to make it look like the fancy ones at Macy’s Union Square.

  15. froggy says:

    beautiful. i just love the neck and the lace detail.

  16. minxxy says:

    I prefer your version! I was going to knit this in another brand of mohair and was a bit dubious…. now i see the resulting evidence im gonna do it!!

  17. Jackie says:

    I think your version of Karis is wonderful! You can really see the lace pattern and the red is fantastic! What a great idea to use a heavier mohair. Wear it out – I’ll bet you get tons of compliments.

  18. Becky says:

    I think it looks GREAT, “clown” neck and all!

  19. jena says:

    Oooh, this poncho wants to be out on the town! Very nice!

  20. margene says:

    That is one of the only ponchos I’ve seen that I truly like. It is such an elegant piece. Wear it long and well.

  21. Bruce says:

    Cisco drank whisky, Pancho drank wine.

  22. Michelle says:

    I really like it as well.

  23. Melanie says:

    It’s good! It’s so long. I like it.

  24. At says:

    I have to agree with you that I don’t like this either. The original verison is lacier and more elegant.

  25. monica says:

    What’s this crap about you not being a fashion maven?! Your Karis is great!

  26. rae says:

    i really like your version of this poncho, and i generally like things knit in the orginal yarn. great color for lifting your spirits (and everyone else’s) really need your positive spin on things now. have you read your brother’s blog lately? maybe he needs to knit a cheery scarf?!

  27. gaile says:

    ooo i think it’s so cute! I love the collar too, it’s so hip and retro! love it! this is the first time i could check your blog since tuesday – as you know we’re on the road – and it’s soooo cute! we’re sharing your mourning…unreal isn’t it. *sigh*

  28. Meg says:

    Very nice – elegant and retro! Do wear it with pride, please do!

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