In Which Martin Storey Both Disappoints Me And Makes Me Feel Better About Myself

Last night I received "Classic Style" and "Classic Cafe" in the mail. I ordered these from Purl Soho. I love Purl - the contents of the package are always lovingly wrapped in tissue and include a hand-written thank-you note.

First, the feeling better part. Check out Melody. That button band pulls up at the bottom exactly the way the one on my Silk Garden sweater does! So perhaps it wasn't my fault? Do all knitted-on ribbed button bands do this? Or does Rowan just have crappy test knitters?

Now, the disappointment: Starlight. The first problem is the ribbed waist - see how it starts and ends higher up on the model's left than it does on the right? Of course, maybe that's not Martin Storey's fault - it could just be the photo, or perhaps the aforementioned crappy test knitters. The second problem I totally consider a design flaw. The cabling is C4B throughout, when I think one half should be C4F and the other C4B, to make it symmetrical. Because the neckline is slanted, and symmetrical, but the cables are not symmetrical, the way the cables blend into the neckline is different on each side and looks WEIRD.

I don't mean to rag on Martin Storey. I really like his designs, and other than Starlight the sweaters in both books rock. And I still like Starlight - in fact it's going to be my next big project after Demi. (No, I haven't forgotten about my mom's sweater. I'll be doing that at the same time. I'm still working on the hat/swatch.) (Plus, it's not like I'm finishing Demi any time soon. I've got about 2" more sleeve now, than in the photo from my last post.)

But I will make the cables symmetrical, and continue the cable pattern up through the waist instead of doing that ribbing. Also I will do the trim differently. I like how it looks, but the idea of knitting a long trim like that and then sewing it on just makes me want to fall off my chair and laugh myself to death. I'll try to crochet (directly on) something that looks similar.