Hanne Falkenberg Ballerina Coat (see below)On to other matters. I have been looking for a new winter coat for 2 years now. I live in Colorado, in an area with (generally) pretty mild winters, so I wanted something:
- lightweight
- stylish but not trendy
- preferably black
- light-to-medium in warmth (I overheat easily)
- packable.
For two years I've been after this thing like it's the holy grail. I refused to buy something that wasn't quite right, so kept wearing my old coat, which I loathe. I don't know what I was thinking when I bought it. Probably that it was cheap and didn't itch.
Also, for at least two years, I have been coveting kits by Danish designer Hanne Falkenberg. Specifically this coat:
On the one hand, many people on the net have "horror stories" of working on HF kits. They are knit on itty bitty needles in garter stitch. Sitting down to knit a Hanne Falkenberg kit is like sitting down to read Moby Dick -- something not to be done lightly. Something which requires serious commitment, fortitude, and possible eye strain.
On the other hand, I love this coat. Everything about it. And knitting lace has made me more comfortable with knitting on 2's and 3's. These kits are expensive -- but can be found for half price on ebay. And I really do need a winter jacket.
So it is ordered. And I have made the commitment to try and have it finished by October 1. (A couple of family birthdays in September will require some of my knitting time. but I can still try . . .)
This week I am getting my resume together and beginning a job search. Something to help support a tiny little knitting habit, and a nascent spinning jones. My ideal job: One in which I get paid to write, travel, knit, spin, and supply half-baked opinions. Yeah, right. I just hope I don't end up in a funny hat asking "Do you want fries with that?"
4 comments:
That jacket is adorable!!!!! I bet it will be a fun knit as well.
How funny. I have been pondering making this jacket as well. Where did you get your kit from?
There is a Hanne Falkenberg (who btw is danish, not dutch) KAL Yahoo group that I'm a part of. Join this group and you can get the improved chart created by one of the members.
Did you get the black and sea green colorway as shown in the picture? That's the one that speaks to me most, but I was a little hesitant doing it in such a dark color due to the strain on the eyes.
I might just have to bite the bullet and get this kit ordered.
Mine are starting to felt as well! I'm so glad you mentioned it. I've been going through picture after picture just to make sure other people's are as well. I don't suppose working as quickly as possible will stop the felting but that is what I'm doing!
That's a beautiful coat, and well worth the investment because I'm sure you will wear it for years to come. I have never heard of Hanne Falkenberg but I'm going to have to look her up now!
And boy, my MS3 stitches aren't starting to felt (I'm using Misti Lace alpaca), but they are beginning to look quite worn and I hope they don't fray or break!
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