Wednesday, July 18, 2012

sea water


do you know the only thing better than making a tea leaves cardigan?


making one with a friend!


amy and i made the tea leaves cardigan by melissa la barre, hers in a pretty pink, mine in blue


i am not having amy talk into my hand, hee hee, we felt awkward standing there and pretending to hold flowers seemed a good way to feel at ease. you can see here how each sweater was customized with small changes. amy made the body of hers a little shorter, mine a bit longer. her sleeves are longer and mine are three quarter length.


but i made a mistake. i made mine a little too big.


oops!


i was hoping for a lot of positive ease, wanting a comfy sweater to throw on for early morning foggy cool walks on the beach (still have to add the afterthought pockets


the color of the wool matched the blues of the water and sky yesterday

sort of kind of too big tea leaves cardigan, that i don't have the heart to unravel


pattern:  madeline tosh tea leaves by melissa la barre
wool:  madeline tosh ~ tosh dk
colorway: well water
ravelry notes: here
amy has cleverly made her skirt, my dress is from here

reading: the last rhinos by lawrence anthony and graham spence. i've only just begun this book, but it's by the same authors of the elephant whisperer, which i really loved. oh! and i had an email from jonas in africa this very morning, he received the nkozi book!

joining with ginny, happy yarn along!


62 comments:

  1. but its beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I love the tea leaves and wanted to knit one for me sinc a long time..yours is really an inspiration!
    sarah

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  2. Gorgeous ladies! Although it feels big now (summer) it probably will be about perfect on a cooler winter morning, when you just want something slouchy and cosy. So lovely!

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  3. nice and cozy!! Big is not bad : in winter time you can put layers of tops with no problem!!! ;oD
    xxxx Alessandra

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  4. that blue is lovely. i think a bit too big sweater is best anyways, much nicer to get cuddly in. :)

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  5. Lori it looks beautiful! I love the color and how fun to get pictures of it with your friend. Her's is so pretty too. You are so daring with your pockets. Good luck with them. I can't watch!

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  6. Look at you two pretties- they are so gorgeous!
    Love that you both knitted one each.
    (ps ..the first image is so lovely.)

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  7. Hello dear friend! Your new cardigan is so beautiful and I love the blue 'painted' colour! I think it's nice to have also some bigger and comfy jackets! Your photos are adorable and I love the pink cardigan, too! Come autumn and knitting! x Teje

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  8. pockets. gah! the thought of cutting into for pockets makes me nervous ;-)

    you both look lovely in your sweaters! and a little bit big but not too big, i like my sweaters big so i can wrap them around me and feel extra cozy!

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  9. it's just lovely! Both of them are. I like my sweaters to be a bit on the big side so I can feel hugged ;)

    xo
    lo♥

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  10. I think it looks just fine Lori and perfect for the walks you made it for.
    I have the yarn for the Annabel cardigan and even bought a contrastig color
    to make an after thought pocket learned from your post. I haven't cast on yet,
    will wait until the wee one moves [looks like about the middle of August...I
    am trying not to cry].
    Much love.

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  11. tea leaves has been on my wish-list-to-knit forEVER!!!! Yours looks just perfect....as does your friend's! Double your pleasure---double your fun! The color is just perfect for you.

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  12. You both look so lovely in your cardis :) And that first photo...love it!!

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  13. Oh, you both look so beautiful in your cardigans! Lori, I love the well water color. I have several skeins in my stash waiting to see what to do with them. Those buttons are perfect for it. Sorry it was a little big, and I suppose since it's a washable wool, that it won't really shrink much? I still think it looks great on you.

    Love that wall of leaves - boxwood? & ivy with a framed garden gate. Gorgeous.

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  14. They both look gorgeous - I love seeing how patterns look when different people put their own spin on them

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  15. I think it fits you fine! And now there is room to grow ;) (just kidding). My first tea leaves was enormous and I had to rip it out and go down a needle size. Shhh, don't tell anyone, but I did not do gauge.....silly me!

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    1. i had to go down to a 5 and 6 too karen, and well, i guess the sweater was your gauge! i've done that too :)

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  16. Both of the Tea Leaves are lovely! Maybe it won't be bad that it's a bit big for layering purposes? The timing of your post is uncanny for me....I just bought the Tiny Tea Leaves pattern and all the yarn, needles, etc. to make 3 of them by Christmas for my 3 girls. Gulp! I was planning to put that out next week on the yarn along and ask for any suggestions from those who has made a Tea Leaves. If you have any, I would welcome them!

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    1. i love the thought of three tiny tea leaves! it's great your thinking of them now, you'll have plenty of time to finish! i did have to go down a needle size so i would check your gauge (swatch) so you'll have no surprises. how fun!

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  17. Gorgeous sweaters. Perhaps with a bit of time, you can either love it as is or rip it back a bit. (I am planning to do an afterthought pocket on my current garter stitch sweater. Just trying to pick a good color)

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  18. Beautiful sweater, Lori! I am slooooowly knitting a baby blanket with madelinetosh's Well Water and it is such a beautiful colorway.

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  19. It's a perfect sweater for those cool, early morning walks--and the color just brightens your eyes even more. I'm still trying to find time to knit the Noro hat. XOXO

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  20. I agree! It's so nice to knit along with a friend and both your cardigans turned out beautifully.

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  21. I would live in that sweater! I love the colour, Lori. Beautiful!

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  22. Oh, when will I see California? You make it look so beautiful, but then, I have heard that it actually is that beautiful... I'm sorry that it is bigger than you want it, but glad you did not unravel it, because it is still very charming.
    x, Emma

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  23. It's really lovely...the Madelinetosh colorway is simply gorgeous. i discovered at my expenses that Tealeaves tends to run a bit big, but you look fine in it.Well done, ladies!

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  24. i think it looks beautiful on you in every way. as of now it is my favorite color for you.

    every reason to be grateful for you and the ocean. ♥

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  25. That colorway is beautiful! And looked so nice next to the pink sweater.

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  26. Hi Lori. The cardigan knitting must have been a hoot not to mention the photoshoot! Both of you stylish beach babes looks great in the colours you have chosen. Your blue cardi does have a touch of the sea in it, that's why I like it best. I'm sirry I didn't catch up with Rose whilst I was a the Rose Bar, I just missed her than you told me she had left to come home to see you. Your house looks divine, so sunny and tropical. BRRrrrrr, cold onver here in sydney, such a shock from the beautiful heat in NYC. Happy knitting! x roberta

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  27. PS Love your in house fashion styling!

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  28. well done ladies, both cardigans with their 'modifications' are lovely. The colours you have both chosen suit you each so well. Love the flowery buttons!

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  29. It looks perfect for a walk by the sea!

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  30. It looks gorgeous - regardless of the size! Beautiful colour, really suits you.

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  31. Lovely! And even though a little roomy, it looks cosy and perfect for a seaside stroll. You made yours in my favourite colour -- any colour that is the same as the sea and sky has to be the best!

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  32. Your cardigan is beautiful, Lori -- it may feel big now when you are wearing summer clothes, but it will be perfect when true cooler weather sets in and bulkier clothes are necessary. I like how you both were able to adapt the pattern to your style. Ya'll should have just put your hands on your hips and struck a pose. So glad to hear that Jonas received his book. Our mail system is so pitiful here -- it's nice to know that somewhere in the world mail actually makes its way to its destination. Have a great day! Tammy

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  33. I love this cardi and the colour you´ve chosen so much more!
    I think the colour works very well for you, but I think you´ve made other cardigans that fits you better (, e.g. this one with the afterthougt-pockets). But maybe it´s true that in fall you will be very happy to have a roomy cardigan where under you can wear cosy sweaters.
    And your friend did a very good job, too. I like the photos of you two together.

    enim sou.

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  34. Such a pretty cardi ~ I love the colour wool you've chosen, perfect for beachy strolls ♥

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    1. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.....to big.......I have an address you can send it to if it's to big for you. He-he! Please keep those needles rattling and the camera snapping.

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  35. It was lovely to see two tea leaves cardigans in one post! They are both lovely and the blue really suits you. If it feels a bit bigger than you normally wear I'm sure it will feel perfect in the cold weather with extra layers. I love how you photograph knitwear, Lori....you always do it so well!
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Helen x

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  36. It's gorgeous, I love the colour!
    You are so brave with those afterthought pockets again.. oh my.. :)

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  37. It's lovely Lori, and such a pretty blue :D

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  38. I don't think it's too big at all. It looks comfy and cozy, and the Tosh means it will be sooo soft. Beautiful sweater. Enjoy your foggy walks! :)

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  39. so so pretty lori. i love the blue on you and your modifications. i think the size looks nice and drapey. you're so beautiful.

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  40. Beautiful vests Lori and so nice to do these together!
    Love that picture of the blue sky :)
    Have a nice day :)
    ♥M

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  41. It might be a little too big, but it is so pretty. The yarn looks delicious and you look beautiful wearing the blue cardigan.

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  42. That came out beautiful! I love the color. I think it looks great on you - a big comfy sweater. It must be so soft. And how great that you made one with your friend. So much fun!

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  43. I think both of the of them are beautiful. I always wear my clothes a little too big, I like to have room to move :-). Perfect for your walks on the beach. xoxo

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  44. I love the way they came out sweet friend,but more than anything I love to look at your smile!!
    The kids and I are off to the zoo and my first thought when we made plans to go.."I get to make believe like I'm in Africa with sweet Lori"..heehee..I know,I'm a silly.Big Hugs,Cat

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  45. Thanks for visiting, Lori. And such beautiful knitting! Remember - there are no mistakes :)

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  46. Lori maybe it might shrink a bit, the buttons are beautiful too
    xx
    julie

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  47. Lori,
    Both of your sweaters are just absolutely beautiful!! Truly.

    I want to add it to my ravelry queue now. :)

    Love, Taryn

    P.S. I love visiting your blog. I get a good feeling here.

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  48. Okay, Lori. I'm moving. Between the sweater, and your lovely friend and the peaceful ocean with its breeze, you've got me packing my bags! lol! And I LOVE sweaters on the big size. It spells comfy. xoxo

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  49. Crochet with RaymondJuly 22, 2012 at 11:55 AM

    that colour is just divine, I have had this pattern queued for a couple of years and you have re-inspired me Lori! Gorgeous and it looks lovely and comfy too :O)

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  50. This wonderful pretty blue cardigan is calling for chilly German december days (with a warm sweater underneath), perfect size! ;-)

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  51. Lori - I think it looks lovely - big enough to wear over a turtle neck but loose enough to be comfy. it's really pretty

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  52. Dear Lori,

    Another Tea Leaves coming into the world always makes me smile a little and just look at that blue! I simply love Tosh colourways; well water comes top of the list with celadon. Have you ever knitted with celeadon, Lori? For a sea lover like you it would be a great experience, I believe

    Thank you truly for the kind, sweet comment you left on my blog which touched me. Today I am a little giddy with excitement/nerves as I have just posted about my new Etsy shop... Fingers crossed.

    Have a beautiful summery week, dear Lori.

    Stephanie

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  53. I agree with the others, the sweater will be the perfect thing to throw over another sweater. Especially with pockets. Truly beautiful!

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  54. Lori, your cardi is just beautiful, I am still knitting on mine. I have almost finished the body, just making it a little longer and then the sleeves.

    I love the colourway:)

    xo xo
    Linda

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  55. If yoborobo is moving I'm packing too. What's for breakfast?

    Grin ....

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  56. It's gorgeous, Lori! Both of the cardis are. That yarn you selected is such a fantastic colour. Like you've knitted with the elements around you.

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xoxo lori