Prairie fire
Happy birthday to me! I’m 27 today, and I celebrated with a cook-out with family, new neighbors, fresh ginger mojitos and an awesome sour cream chocolate cake my mother made. I got some excellent gifts, but you’ll be so proud of me when I tell you I didn’t take advantage of the occasion to acquire more yarn. I’m trying to be good about the stash. But back in June on my trip to New York City, I did snap up five balls of Jaeger Siena 4-Ply cotton on mad sale at The Point. Seriously, it was something like $3.50 per ball, in this cheerful spring green. I didn’t have a specific summer tank pattern in mind when I bought it, so it was pure fortune that Veronik Avery’s Prairie Tunic (Summer ’06 IK) called for five balls of Jaeger Siena 4-Ply.
As I mentioned previously, I didn’t think the tunic was the shape I wanted to go for, so I modifed the pattern. Here’s what I’ve got after about four days. I thought this project was going to crawl on the size 3 needles, but I’m cranking this one out:
I’m about to start shaping the triangles at the top, so how convenient is it that the Fall issue containing the errata slid through my mail slot this afternoon? As you can see, I also modified the stitch pattern, since I want to be able to wear this cami with just a bra underneath. What’s the point of all that great ventilation if you have to wear another layer?
All I’m doing is working the stitch above the yarnover twisted to close up the eyelets. I like that the result still looks akin to the original pattern, but gives textural interest and the desired extra coverage. On the back I’ll probably just work the pattern as given all the way up, but I’m undecided about that.
Quick yarn review: I really like the Jaeger Siena. It’s soft and easier on the hands than a lot of cottons I’ve worked with. It does split a little if you don’t watch it, particularly on the lace rows, but the fabric it produces is incredibly even. I could pat myself on the back for overcoming my beginner’s “rowing out”, but I suspect the yarn deserves most of the credit on this occasion.
I’m trying to race through this tank so I’ll be able to get some good summer wear out of it before the weather cools for good, but I need your advice: racer back, as in the original pattern, or just a copy of the front for better bra strap concealment?
Posted: July 30th, 2006 at 4:46 am
Happy Birthday!
I love the prairie tunic! Yours is really coming along fast. I’d copy the front rather than doing the racerback, but I’m not married to either option. Either way, it’s gonna be sweet and cool to wear.
Hey! So remember when I told you if I could move, I’d move to Portland? Well, I’m on my way! Too bad I couldn’t have been there representing as one of your new neighbors at your party!
Posted: July 30th, 2006 at 7:34 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
great ideas on the prairie tunic. i’d hate to have to wear extra layers in all the heat the US has been having lately so it’s good to hear that you’ve elminated some of the more revealing elements of the tank.
hope it’s going to cool off there soon! we’re getting another heat wave this week 🙁 ugh.
Posted: July 30th, 2006 at 9:59 am
Happy BDay!
Love the tunie. I wanted to make that, when I first saw the pattern, but it just looks so tedious.
Posted: July 30th, 2006 at 11:05 am
Happy Happy Happy Birthday!! I wish that the Spiders could have been with you to celebrate and have some of that delicious cake you mentioned. I have been eating cake lately like nobody’s business – they just keep having parties at work!!
I like the way you’ve modified the pattern on the Prairie Cami – I may have to use my purple Jaeger Siena for the same project… I fear it was not destined to become the Rebecca Jacket. I am ripping it today – watch the blog for pics! I vote for a racer-back on the back, but I’m partial to racerback tanks.
Hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend celebrating your birthday! Miss you TONS!
Posted: July 30th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sounds like you had a wonderful time and the cake sounds yummy.
Tank is looking great!
Posted: July 31st, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Happy Birthday!
Posted: July 31st, 2006 at 7:03 pm
Happy Birthday! I love your Prairie Tunic, and am a huge fan of your mods–I think I will do the same, if I ever get around to making one.
And I’m sort of a fan of the racerback, for the sexy/something different elements. But bra strap concealment is a priority, too. Decisions, decisions.
Posted: July 31st, 2006 at 7:12 pm
i suppose the primary question is this: are you either going to wear a convertible bra with this, or go braless, or mostly conventional bras?
if it’s the first two, for goodness sakes, go for the racer back. if not, go for duplicating the front. it looks gorgeous anyway.
and happy birthday!
Posted: August 1st, 2006 at 2:39 pm
Happy belated birthday! I can’t wait to see how your tunic turns out. I still have to get mine surged so I can wear it. It turned out a little too big for me to get away with wearing it
Posted: August 1st, 2006 at 3:13 pm
Happy Birthday!! Sounds like you had a wonderful celebration! Ginger mojitos sound absolutely delish! Recipe? 🙂
Loving your Prairie non-Tunic! Love the color, love the modifications you’re making…all good! As for the back, the racerback is cute, but if you think it’s going to be a hindrance for you later and you’d be more comfortable with the tank style, then maybe go with duplicating the front. Either way, I think it will be gorgeous!
Posted: August 2nd, 2006 at 9:36 pm
Happy Birthday, Sarah!
Posted: August 3rd, 2006 at 4:33 pm
Hey, happy BDAY. I missed it b/c I was on the cape. I have to call you soon and plan a little bit….