Liesl - now with more Amy!
I was working on one of the multiple versions of Liesl while I was staying with Amy in Toronto and she talked me into giving her a (somewhat confusing) draft of the pattern. We bought yarn together that evening at the charming Purple Purl, Amy got the Araucania Nature Cotton that I used for the red version in a fantastically bright blue. Why of why didn’t we take a picture of us both knitting the same thing? Sigh. We’ll just need to be in the same place at the same time again so we can take one of us both wearing them. My only condition for giving her such a sneaky early version of the pattern was that she provided me with photos for the pattern.
So a couple of days ago I roped my other Toronto host and her new camera into taking some photos of Amy’s Liesl. I’ve added a couple of them to the pattern and if you’ve purchased it you should either have received the update via email or downloaded the updated version. If you haven’t got a copy of the pattern with pictures of Amy on it let me know because I corrected a typo that put the buttonholes on the wrong side and added some more info about buttonhole placement. Amy did buttonholes all the way down, because we weren’t sure what would be the most flattering and though she’s decided it looks best just buttoned at the top I like the way she spaced the buttons so they’re closer together at the top. That works really well with the way the lace grows from the top.
I’m thrilled to be able to include these pictures with the pattern, partly because they’re so great (thank you both!) but also because I feel bad that while I try to include lots of sizes in the patterns I usually make the sample to fit myself which means that you only get to see it in a smaller size. It can be really hard to visualise how something will look on a different size / body type so I think it’s really helpful to include pictures of samples that more accurately reflect the size range in the pattern. I’m thinking of ways to do more of this in future, so if you have any thoughts / feedback I’d love to hear it.
Oh and if you want some company while knitting Leisl, there’s a knitalong going on Ravelry.
Posted: June 27th, 2008 under knitting.
Comments: 28
Comments
Comment from Lynn
Time: June 27, 2008, 1:35 pm
As a larger lady who loves your designs, I am glad to see a picture of the cardigan in larger size. I had figure it would look ok in same version as Amy’s and I think she looks absoultly stunning.
Comment from Jackie
Time: June 27, 2008, 1:39 pm
Love the colour. I purchased the pattern yesterday and I love it. I am using my stash to practice but I would love to get the colour
that Amy made hers in. Great pattern.
Thanks can’t wait to finish mine.
Comment from Debbie
Time: June 27, 2008, 2:13 pm
I love the pattern, and I’m very happy to see pictures of the larger size. I usually knit for my daughter (your size) and granddaughter, but I love your designs so much, that I would love to make some of them for myself, but I need a larger size. Seeing Amy in your sweater, gives me a completely different perspective of the design. I think if you include pictures of different sizes, it will help broaden (oops! Sorry for the pun!) your audience and fans!
Comment from Penelope
Time: June 27, 2008, 2:23 pm
It’s so helpful to see what it pattern looks like on different-sized and -shaped people. It’s nice to have that information up front! I usually have to wait months and months and stalk Ravelry pictures until somebody with a body like mine takes a risk and knits up a sweater that I am thinking of.
Comment from katie
Time: June 27, 2008, 2:44 pm
love this pattern - it really does look great on all sizes!
Comment from Mama Urchin
Time: June 27, 2008, 2:48 pm
That blue looks fantastic on Amy. I would be afraid to pick such a color in the yarn store.
Comment from wakenda
Time: June 27, 2008, 3:08 pm
Our little knitalong is on your blog! There’s really no reason for this to make me as excited as it does, but it does.
Comment from Phoe
Time: June 27, 2008, 3:10 pm
Oh I really like that, seeing it on someone bigger does help a lot.
Comment from Lin
Time: June 27, 2008, 3:23 pm
It looks so nice doesn’t it.
Comment from Annika
Time: June 27, 2008, 3:41 pm
That color is absolutely stunning on Amy! I love the pattern, can’t wait to buy it.
Comment from Jodi
Time: June 27, 2008, 3:54 pm
I really appreciate seeing patterns knit up in different sizes! So much help in deciding what to knit. You all look great in the different variations of the pattern.
Comment from Kat
Time: June 27, 2008, 4:26 pm
If you could get a few ysolda devotees in different sizes to knit samples and give you photos for free patterns you could include them. Usually I am so behind the times that I can see how the pattern looks on Ravelry. But someone has to go first!
Comment from sarah
Time: June 27, 2008, 4:36 pm
ysolda, i know you’re big on shaping in most of your patterns, does this include shaping possibilities? if so, i’ll be ordering my yarn asap and hoping to have it finished by july 13th-oh yes pressure lol!
Comment from Constance
Time: June 27, 2008, 4:46 pm
Interesting how a pattern can look so different, almost unrecognizable from the original, with a few variables.
Comment from Julia
Time: June 27, 2008, 5:04 pm
You know, I probably wouldn’t have considered knitting that lovely sweater for myself before seeing how great it looks on Amy! I second the thoughts that it is really useful to see patterns on different sizes and body types, and that you likely would not have a hard time getting test knitters of various sizes and shapes to volunteer. Your adoring fans come in all sizes!
Comment from Mary-Heather
Time: June 27, 2008, 5:21 pm
Amy looks great!! Pretty sweater, pretty color, pretty photos. So nice!
Comment from Susan Sharpe
Time: June 27, 2008, 7:20 pm
it looks fantastic, great to see it on a curvier figure.
Comment from Saralyn
Time: June 27, 2008, 8:07 pm
Another idea is to play around with using friends of different shapes and sizes as your “muses”. Designing to a particular body or range of bodies that you can try a design on in person as you are working on the prototype might help you get the feel for what works for different bodies. It might also bring out an interesting range of personality in the designs, broadening from “what would Ysolda wear/like?” to “what would my friend X wear and what would look fabulous on her?”.
Comment from Jessica
Time: June 27, 2008, 8:50 pm
It looks great! :D
Comment from Sarah
Time: June 27, 2008, 10:33 pm
I purchased and downloaded the pattern the other day, so I’d now like to download the updated copy; where do I do this? The file in my Ravelry purchases section and linked in the receipt is the original one. Are you able to email this, or point me in the direction to where I can download it myself? The email on my comment here is the one associated with the PayPal account I used. :-)
Comment from Samantha
Time: June 28, 2008, 4:50 am
I know I sound like a dork, but you’re totally famous! It’s amy! omg.
Comment from Vanessa
Time: June 28, 2008, 10:34 am
Wow - I love Amy’s version on her! Looks great and that blue - just stunning!
Comment from sunflowerfairy
Time: June 28, 2008, 5:18 pm
I adore you, Ysolda. Seriously.
Comment from gleek
Time: June 28, 2008, 5:19 pm
oooh, it’s nice to see it on amy! she’s a great model :)
Comment from Susanne
Time: July 1, 2008, 8:54 am
I’ve been eyeing the pattern, and kept thinking it wouldn’t work for me. But now that I’m seeing Amy’s version I’m thinking different.
Comment from Marie
Time: July 1, 2008, 12:39 pm
The pics of Leisl in a larger size are very helpful - good idea to post them!
Comment from tutleymutley
Time: August 7, 2008, 7:20 am
The light in those pics of Amy is beautiful. Sets off Liesl to a tee.
And you are such a talented designer/knitter. I’m in awe. Can you tell I’m a fan?
Comment from EquinoxMoon
Time: June 29, 2009, 8:49 pm
Looks just beautiful on Amy. Now I have to make one for myself! (I agree that the pics in larger sizes is extremely helpful.)
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