Knitscene Fall 2008 Brocade Leaves

What I love about these galleries is that they often make me more interested in a sweater than I was originally. I think it looks great on you, Sandi!

And I'm with you on the love of plum purple.

This reminds me of the puckered smocking on the peasant tops that used to be so popular in the 70's, only it's ALL over!

It's not a very flattering style on someone that's heavier-set.

I think you would really have to have quite an hour-glass figure to set it off, & be a bit on the more slender side.  It could add some enhancement for a smaller-busted person, but you'd want to make sure to be slim in build, with small hips.

Wow - we get the "AFTER" pix after all!!!  Sandi, you look great.

it is nice to see the same sweater on different sized and shaped women, along with your comments on how they could do mods to achieve a better fit.  I think this is a very very useful tool - the gallery!

I don't agree with the comment that the waist shaping was "graceful" with all that smocking. It's not a bad sweater and the colour is one of my favorites. I don't think this colour shows the pattern off the best; a lighter colour might have shown the pattern off better.

Jeny

The sweater seems to be very flattering to many figure types, with appropriate modifications.  On Debbie, the sweater is too long and covers too much of her hips making her appear to be more 'hippy' than she really is.  I think a shorter length would be better for Debbie.

Also, a lighter colour would show off the pattern instead of hiding it.

Rita

I agree with Rita, I can't see the pattern at all.  A lighter color such as a soft blue or a denim would have shown the pattern much better.

I think, Sandi, with the weight you are loosing, you're going to look great in a 36 or 34 in no time!  

Dodie R

Sandi, you are looking AWESOME.

I am really grateful for today's galleries, because I had an opposite game plan re What I Want To Knit before I saw these pictures: I was planning on making the bodice, and this pullover didn't make much of an impression on me.  Now that I have seen the pictures, I really don't think the bodice is flattering on anyone - tiny OR busty - but I think this sweater is the most flattering gallery garment I've seen yet, and I have to make one for myself!

Thanks!

The gallery is great!  But I wish you wouldn't model things knitting in such a dark color.  Maybe it's my eyes, but I find it difficult to make out the pattern.  In the end, one pullover is much the same as the next, and that's a shame...I know it is much more special than that!

Kim

I really enjoy looking at and reading these galleries.  And I love the commentary on how they fit Bertha.  Thank you so much.

Judy

This is a sweater I never would have picked out for myself, but after seeing it on real women, I just might make it.  The stitch pattern is problematic.  It creates a "poofiness" that doesn't seem to flatter shorter or rounder women.  (Being tall and bony myself, it just might be perfect for me.)  I agree with others that it should be a lighter color.  I have some light green in the stash that would be great.

I agree with the comment about the color. When I first saw it - I skipped over it because I could not make out the stitch pattern because of the dark color. Though the color MIGHT be okay in real life because you could actually see the person wearing it, for a magazine, it is wrong. A lighter color would have shown off the pattern. Even now I have no idea of what the stitch pattern really looks like!

Looks great on most everyone, though! And Sandi you do look GREAT!

Again, the gallery is a very fun concept that I like a lot.  In this case I would have liked to see a close-up of the overall pattern stitch as I can't really tell what it is like.

I LOVE the galleries!  They are so helpful.  

As someone with postmenopausal slippage through the midsection, I am usually not a huge fan of negative ease.  I think the texture of the stitch in this one helps conceal more than a plainer sweater would.

I agree with the comments about the color--the stitch pattern is hard to see.  

Lighter color yarn so pattern can be seen.Please!

This pattern looks terrific on all the gallery gals. I think it might look even lovelier in a heathered olive or a soft dove grey.  It's the main reason I might buy this issue!

You guys (gals) have really bee working hard.  It's good to see examples of what the sweater look like on all types of shapes.  Kudos!!!!  Harriett

I love this sweater, but the dark color makes it impossible to see the stitch detail at all! I hate that!

However, Sandi, I think this one looks perfect on you. I know you said it was too tight, but I think it makes you look much smaller. I think it's great! (Which is good news for me, because I'm about your size/shape too!)

I agree with the comments that the color should be lighter or please include a closeup of the pattern. I think this sweater would look good on larger women because the stitch pattern won't allow it to cling too much, even if the sweater rides the curves. I also think it should be shorter for Debbie. I'm amazed that you think the v-neck is too low on some - I can't tell that at all. Tho I am in California, so maybe I've been biased by the half-dressed around me.

I like the sweater on Erin, Amy and Kat. The sleeves may not have been the right length, but the sweater itself was the perfect length. Not too long and not too short.

Ladies ... about being able to see the pattern, I think that is why the magazine from which the sweater is made is at the top of the page so you can buy the pattern...  :)

I liked the neckline on everyone.  I am so tired of seeing cleavage, even on the stars on the food channel.  All of you looked great  and none of the necklines were too deep or revealing.,  I may look into this pattern for myself.

Judi A

This sweater was flattering to everyone.  So was the color.  I love the pattern, too.  This one I would knit for myself and not have to go on a diet to wear it.  Thanks.

So interesting to see how the item looks on different shapes!

I feel inspired to try some patterns that I thought would never suit me.

I love the comment about the sweater being done in a heathered olive or dove grey.  When I first saw the sweater, I thought, "nah," but now, thinking in a different color makes it more of a possibility.  Although the pattern does kind of remind me of paper towels....

I wish the color wasn't so dark so I could see more of the detail.

By the name, I'm assuming it is a leaf pattern

I agree that we need to use a different color to see the pattern. Why do all the work, if others cannot see it?  But I do think that this sweater looks good on all of the models. This pattern is a keeper!!

Sandi,  You are looking great girl.  Keep up the good work.  I think the V is perfect on you, remember a V neck is more flattering on larger buss.  It looks like the sweater could use some shaping but I'm thinking he leaf pattern doesn't lend itself to shaping...

Again, I just so love seeing the sweater on all the different body types!!

I love these galleries! I think it looks the best on Sandi and Amy. I really didn't think I would like to make this until I saw the gallery but perhapsI should take the plunge and go yarn shopping!

Sandi,

I have been a fan of Kathy Zimmerman's designs for years, especially the lovely stitch patterns she uses.  I was disappointed that the sample was knit in such a dark color and that there was no close-up of the fabric.  Could you either publish a well-lit close-up of the sweater fabric or get someone to work up a swatch so we all could be enlightened?

Thanks so much.

I always love the galleries!   Thank you, Sandi, and DITTO on the congratulations!

Mmmm now I wanna knit this one.  But then, I tend to adore Kathy Zimmerman's patterns.

I skimmed quickly by this sweater on the preview page because it does look somewhat boxy there.  I like it much better here on the gallery girls!

While the stitch pattern probably would photograph better in a lighter color, I can see it fairly well on my monitor.  As the name suggests, it's an all over leaf pattern.

Sandi - I think this sweater looks fantastic on you.  The V-neck definitely suits you much better than some of the more petite girls.  I am so tempted now to knit one for myself, now I see how it looks on real women.

I agree with all the others on the color. Although I like the color I would like to see this sweater in a lighter color. I think the sweater suits the best on Sandi, Amy and Erin. It's nice to see the sweater on different persons.

I really like being able to see the sweaters on different body types!  What a great idea (whoever came up with this one is a genius!).  When I look at patterns in magazines, I am always wondering how they would look on a "normal" (read: not model) figure.  I wish more patterns would actually show the item on several different figure types....I know....dream on....

Love this jumper, I agree that the brown doesn't show the stitch pattern off best, but I'd definitely wear a brown jumper like this!  I also love the galleries.  I must agree that seeing the same jumper worn by all you lovely ladies is an invaluable tool when it comes to making choices - I'm much more likely to buy a pattern after seeing it in your gallery than just seeing it on line or in a magazine worn by one model.  Thanks!

Sandi, I know how it feels to have to hide a tummy, but in my humble opinion, you look awesome in that sweater and you do great things for it.  Don't be so hard on yourself!

Hm, now this is a sweater I don't really like, myself. Tastes vary (thank goodness!).

I think this is a lovely colour and a pretty stitch but ladies, I do feel it bulks up every single one of you, including the Michelin effect on the sleeves. I would really, really hesitate before putting this on anyone who wasn't 6 ft tall and really skinny.

Sheer amazement that so many of you feel the V-neck is too low!!! I was just thinking it was fairly high when I read the first of those comments... Surely women need to be emphasising their assets (without looking cheap) and the curvier ones even more so - a V is perfect to give that lengthening effect, the lower the better. You can always wear a cami underneath if your underwear starts showing.

well, that is just my opinion, of course. Room for everyone here ;)

I never knew I was such a risque dresser! I don't think any of the V's are too low.

Sandi - you're getting skinnier and skinnier.  DO tell - what program have you been following?  

This sweater is very pretty and it's encouraging to learn that a choice of stitch pattern gives the shaping.  I'd love to see it in a medium green too!  (I know you don't get to choose the color for the samples, tho'.)

These galleries are the greatest idea.  Love 'em!

Hmm, I'm going to be the voice of dissent and say that I only like the sweater on the larger ladies, when it's got lots of negative ease.  Sandi, it looks amazing on you, especially the depth of the neck.  It still looks boxy on the smaller girls to me.

Sandi, it's fabulous on you! If you go for a sweater in chocolate, I'll go for one in purple/plum for myself? I love purple, I just never wear it as a big piece, usually just accessories. Thanks for all the inspiration.

I love these galleries, I think they're really interesting. But the thing that scares me is that it always seems to be a case of 'even if you change the size, you might need to do adaptions'. Now I've been knitting for over 20 years, but I don't know if I could handle making the changes that are necessary, especially now that I dont' have my dressmaker mother handy to measure me (she lives on the other side of the world).

So even though I think it's interesting seeing the changes and the way it looks on 'real' people, in a way these galleries put me off because of the way they highlight how things need to be adapted. I guess I just need more guts.

I agree with everyone who says seeing it on real people makes me much more interested in this sweater.

I also agree that the "poofiness" could be problematic - especially around the hips.

So I'm thinking maybe it would be even cuter in a cropped version?

I really like this sweater on all the models, but what about the skin or white undergarments that can be clearly seen through the holes?  I think that's more risque than the V-neck. I would have to wear a similarily-colored camisole under this sweater.

In that color, I cannot make out the stitch pattern at all.  It just looks like a boxy dark brown pullover to me.  Maybe better lighting would have helped?  

I think this sweater looks good on all the girls, but on Amy the best - I didn't think it needed any changing!  The color can be changed easily, but changing the pattern with the stitch pattern would be way beyond my capabilities.  I would have to pass on this sweater.

Love, love, LOVE the gallery!  It is SO GREAT to see REAL women models.  Thank you!

I love v-necked sweaters.  I also love to knit a fabric that has a pattern that appears with each row.  

Too bad the picture was so dark.  I was unable to detect the pattern.

These galleries are so informative.  Sandi,  I love your witty commentaries.

Ok, when I first saw this sweater in the preview I kind of said "Ew."  However, as I looked at the gallery I started liking it better with each model.  I especially like it on Sandi and on Amy.  I also like it in the chocolatey brown but I think it would look very pretty in a deep cranberry red or a soft green.  If I were to make it for myself I'd go for the red.

Thank You!  Thank You! Thank You!

...For showing a sweater on actual women.  The airbrushed stuff you see in so many magazines give no clue what a piece will look like on us full-figure gals.

Sandi, I disagree with your personal assessment. I think the sweater fits perfectly and brown is a color you should definitely be wearing. It's very flattering. Also, LOVE your haircut and you are looking mahvelous dahlink!

Agree with everyone else that showing the garments on real women is not only very brave genrous spirited on behalf of the models but very instructive. Ny only complaint is that if knitted in dark colours, such as the Brocade Leaves sweater it's very hard to pick out the detail in the photos.

I try to give positive feedback wherever I can, but sorry, I can think of nothing positive to say about this lumpen garment. It doesn't even suit the lovely Debbie, who normally shows every knit off to perfection. It certainly didn't get my gallery vote.

I think the gallery is a great idea and definitely shows how slight changes can really affect how a garment looks on a person. Makes things a bit more challenging but worth the effort.

Rita W's comment reflects my thoughts exactly. A lighter yarn would show the pattern off better and I think the length of the sweater on Debbie hits at an unflattering point, emphasizing the width across her hips instead of flattering them.

Ok, after looking at the sweater and reading most of the comments, I have to say I think particular style looks best on the fuller figured ladies.  Especially those that are more evenly shaped and have more at the top.  Sandi, don't sell yourself short.  You look AB FAB in this sweater!