Since Ravelry came to town I've noticed an upsurge in pattern sales, which is fantastic. It also meant I could finally treat myself to something I've been pining for, for a while.
This isn't one of those cool adjustable dress forms that you can make to your exact body specifications, but at around $50 (including adjustable stand), it's a great alternative. The measurements are very close to my own, right down to the rather long torso. The waist is just about exactly my size and the bust and hips are a little smaller. I think it'll be easy enough to slap a bra on this baby to more accurately simulate my own shape.
The form is totally pinable so I can easy throw partially worked knit pieces on it and see how it's all coming along.
On that note, you've probably also noticed the new knit in that picture.
I'm using a bit of Madil Sahara, that I have lying around. It's 70% Viscose and 30% Linen.
Here's the thing, though, I don't have enough of the brown to complete the garment, so I was thinking about working the rest in some of the Euroflax Linen I have.
I can't decide which color I want to use. I love the orange with the brown but it feels a little 70s-ish to me. I wonder if I'll actually be happy with the end results. The pink is probably a better color on me and would be very valentines appropriate, but it might be too garish. What do you guys think?
I also have a couple balls of the Sahara yarn in a very light mint green, which I like with the brown, but I think it might wash me out when used at the top of the garment. I'm not even sure I"ll have enough leftover brown yarn to crochet around the green to give some contrast.
I have a feeling there may be some trial and error in my near future.
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Comments (25)
"trail & error"
i thought your dogs were cattle dogs (herders) not bloodhounds, lol!
i actually saw a thing on that crocheting/fiber arts show on HGTV (it escapes me what it's named, right now) where they made a dress dummy by having the victim put ona tshirt, and wrapping the entire body in duct tape! however, you might end up spending as m uch on tape, lol, unless you have a truly unusual figure (i can't buy my bras in regular stores, need i say more?)
Posted by minnie | February 2, 2008 9:14 PM
Posted on February 2, 2008 21:14
First off, I love the new look of your site. Your dressform was a steal. Awesome price. I got mine for christmas, and love it. I love your new design that you're working on, and can't wait to see it finished. I also vote for the pink, but, you can also add the orange in as well and go for 3 colors depending upon the final look you were going for.
Posted by Andrea | February 2, 2008 8:20 AM
Posted on February 2, 2008 08:20
Gorgeous knit - can't wait to see it when it's all grown up. Congrats on the new form!
Posted by Hilari | February 1, 2008 11:16 PM
Posted on February 1, 2008 23:16
i love the pink for your coloring as well as for pairing with the brown.
if, however, you're not really convinced about either color, you could try getting more of the brown in a different dye lot and doing some kind of a texture to transition (texture, purl ridge, eyelet ridge, something to break up the 2 lots).
Posted by jody | February 1, 2008 4:26 PM
Posted on February 1, 2008 16:26
Hmm... we think it should be something light, beige - just to give it a slightly "vintage" feel. The brown one can be a wee dark for the rest of the top hence may make the wearer looks bit heavy on the bottom.
Posted by Ginger aka Beethoven | February 1, 2008 3:13 PM
Posted on February 1, 2008 15:13
*
It's such a nice soft brown and delicate knitwork - - I'd like to see another neutral color in the same "darkness" (for lack of a better word - it's too early morning).
*
Posted by dhyana rose | February 1, 2008 8:47 AM
Posted on February 1, 2008 08:47
I got a singer dressform at joann a while back for something like $100. I knew I had to get an adjustable one since i'm halfway between 'normal' and 'plus'. I have to tell you that your idea of putting a bra on yours to adjust it is a really good idea! I've learned that I have to change the fullest part of the bust on my dress form from near 45" to the smallest it will go in order to get the waist area of my knits over it. The form bust is just not as squishy and malleable as the real thing!
Posted by Hanna | February 1, 2008 12:20 AM
Posted on February 1, 2008 00:20
I think you should use both. The pink will abolish all thoughts of outdated sofas, and the orange will, I think, make the pink less in-your-face. Sort of like having a chaperone to your prom.
Posted by Rodger | February 1, 2008 12:20 AM
Posted on February 1, 2008 00:20
I'll add another vote for pink. Perhaps the brown will tone it down a bit and help avoid the adjective "garish."
Posted by amy | January 31, 2008 7:02 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 19:02
I'd use the pink in a heartbeat, and I don't even LIKE pink. :)
Posted by Janice in GA | January 31, 2008 5:29 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 17:29
Who cares what color??? That pattern is beautiful!! Where can I get a copy?
Posted by lisa | January 31, 2008 4:49 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 16:49
I also vote for pink. I think the brown will make it look sophisticated and not too garish.
Posted by Melissa | January 31, 2008 3:49 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 15:49
Very, very cool. I've wanted one of those for a while but really, it's bad enough seeing my figure in the mirror--I don't want it lurking in the corner of my room, taunting me!
I'm thinking pink, too, even though it's not usually the color I'd opt for--but it just seems that it would look fabulous with what you've already got done!
Posted by --Deb | January 31, 2008 3:44 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 15:44
Brown and orange does evoke that 70s feel, to me too. I'm thinking pink. I'd be interested to see how the pink would look up against the brown in the same light. :)
Posted by Nonnahs | January 31, 2008 12:42 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 12:42
What about figuring out a way to use both the pink and the orange?
The combination of those three colors feels very India influenced to me. Rich, warm, and very vibrant.
Posted by Laura | January 31, 2008 12:41 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 12:41
Yeah, I'm kind of partial to the pink myself. :D Although you could get away with any of the three. Not very helpful, I know. Hehe!
And just for the record...I found you on Ravelry too. Congrats on the increase in sales! You deserve it and your garments are GORGEOUS! Thanks for giving so much of yourself and your talents!
Posted by Meredith | January 31, 2008 12:29 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 12:29
I vote for pink, hands down.
Also, your new site is gorgeous. I love this puppy watching as I type my comment!
Posted by Leyna | January 31, 2008 12:19 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 12:19
I agree with Julia about trying to score some matching dyelot....I also agree witheveryone about putting the colors up against the brown and taking a poll that way....it is hard to decide with them alone....the new dress form is beautiful....I want one, but not until after I get to the size I want to maintain...I wish I had gotten my grandmother's but they gave it to the local high school home economics department....
Posted by Lisa | January 31, 2008 12:10 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 12:10
I agree with Julia about trying to score some matching dyelot....I also agree witheveryone about putting the colors up against the brown and taking a poll that way....it is hard to decide with them alone....the new dress form is beautiful....I want one, but not until after I get to the size I want to maintain...I wish I had gotten my grandmother's but they gave it to the local high school home economics department....
Posted by Lisa | January 31, 2008 12:10 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 12:10
I agree with Julia about trying to score some matching dyelot....I also agree witheveryone about putting the colors up against the brown and taking a poll that way....it is hard to decide with them alone....the new dress form is beautiful....I want one, but not until after I get to the size I want to maintain...I wish I had gotten my grandmother's but they gave it to the local high school home economics department....
Posted by Lisa | January 31, 2008 12:10 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 12:10
Go for the pink, I think it will look swanky :)
And nice dress form! I love mine, she's adjustable, but that's mostly since I also do some costume stuff so need some different sizing! The kind you have looks way better just modeling the garments.
Posted by Amber | January 31, 2008 12:06 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 12:06
I heart hot pink things! Of course the mint green might be pretty, but not if you won't like the color near your face. Could you over-dye the green to a color you'd like better?
Posted by Amy in StL | January 31, 2008 12:02 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 12:02
My instinct says pink, but it's hard to tell. Each of those has the potential to go either way. I think I'd take a stab at finding more of that yarn in your dyelot first, if possible. I know that does not help with stash reduction and is not at all thrifty, but I'd love that piece in a solid color. (I am boring with color, though.) If you are going to stick with a contrast color you could try wrapping each around the dress form for 2-3 inches and see what you get. I'd photograph each one, because I think that photos can give you a little more perspective. You could even do a little poll!
The dress form is awesome. I want one, but Moxie would go ballistic if I stuffed one more large craft accessory in the girls' room. He fumes when the knitting machine is out for more than a few weeks at a time!
Posted by Julia | January 31, 2008 11:40 AM
Posted on January 31, 2008 11:40
I love what you have so far! I am partial to the pink but then again I am going through and all things pink and brown phase right now.
Yay for new dress forms! :)
Posted by Sandra | January 31, 2008 11:36 AM
Posted on January 31, 2008 11:36
Oh, wow - they are all pretty colors! Could you do swatches of them and hold them up to the brown? Yay! New dress form!!
Posted by jessica~ | January 31, 2008 11:33 AM
Posted on January 31, 2008 11:33