Sep 19 2006
Report Card
I know I am not the only one. I hated the time of year when report cards were issued in grade school. My teachers always liked me and gave me good marks - but the thing I feared the most? The comment section on the back of the card. They always said the same thing:
"Lauren is a very bright student, and a joy to have in class. However, she talks to her peers and is easily distracted."
Ahem. The worst part was that I had to get my parents to sign the report card, just to prove that they had actually seen it. (Forgery did cross my mind…) Of course they knew I was loquacious Lolly. Of course they knew that I was easily distracted. They lived with me. I prefer to think that I was developing good communication skills, and that I was a good multi-tasker…
I am still a talkative girl - but I think it has tempered a bit. I still am easily distracted… but sometimes I know that "staying the course" is really best because the end result will be so sweet.
Take the Pomegranate Hoodie: I really want to cast on for some other things… but I really want a finished sweater too. So, I worked on her non-stop during my weekend road trip to Tennessee. Sleeve 2 banged out in a few hours, and then the seaming.
I kept trying her on at various stages of seaming… first time doing set-in sleeves, so I wanted to ensure a proper fit. I am happy with it!
I have been working on this hoodie since March. I started it as part of the red month for Project Spectrum, and it is still on the needles. Just as a reminder, I am using Woolarina Handpaints laceweight yarn (it is so great!) I thought the color resembled a pomegranate, hence the name of the hoodie (sometimes shortened to Pom Hoodie). I am using the Hoodie pattern from the Knitting to Go Deck by Kris Percival.
September is officially the Project Spectrum Clean Sweep month, and I want to finish this sweater, as well as my Sesame cardigan. I hope I can make it before the end of the month!
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Sleeve 2 was set in and sewn up while watching last week's Project Runway episode. (wasn't crazy about that twist…) Since this picture I have finished both side seams, and have picked up the neck stitches for the hood attachment. |
The hood is completely vestigial. Purely for aesthetics. In a rain storm, I would still be soaking wet. In a gust of wind, my ears would still freeze. There is no point to it whatsoever. It crossed my mind to just leave it off. What do you think? (See what the original pattern looks like here) Let me know, because I can't decide. (You can add indecisiveness to the list of my "endearing" character traits, right beside short attention span and procrastination…)
Just because I needed a little change of pace while sitting in the car for approximately 16 hours round trip, I also started working on "My So-Called Scarf" pattern in the delicious new Malabrigo for my Scarf Exchange pal.
My pal actually reads my blog (it may be you and you don't even know it!) and she lives in a colder climate, so I though the wool would be a great way to go. She listed green among her favorite colors, and I think this fits the bill very well. There are slight blueish green variegations in the yarn. I had heard reviews about Malabrigo but had never seen it. I ordered it online to give it a try, and I can't say enough good things about it. It is so soft - that is definitely its edge over the other kettle-dyed Uruguayan wools on the market (and I have used several: Manos, Rio de la Plata, and Handpaintedyarn) I hope it continues to hold up well, I don't want any pilling or fuzzing on my pal's scarf!
Can I get these things done before the end of the month? It appears that some six seven eight hundred people are devoting themselves to SOCKS next month, so I better 'get a move on'! 
You look fantastic, Lolly. Just fantastic. An inspiration to me and the 20 pounds I’d just love to part with.
Hey - wanted to let you know that sometime tonight I’m going to be posting a contest - a SOCK YARN contest - in honor of the New Socktoberfest. I’m clearing out some stash - so it will hopefully be good.
I love the pattern on the scarf. Sooo pretty.
I vote YES on the hood, if only for fashion’s sake.
I was really hoping to finish all my PS projects by the end of the month, but it appears that I was a little, ahem, ambitious!
Love the Pomegranate Hoodie! But I do think that, personally, I would just leave the hood off it it. I’m not a fan of hoods and they seem to just sit there and get in the way and wad themselves up under my coat.
i would leave the hood off as well. i don’t like tops with high necks and hoods… at least on me it always feels like the hood is pulling the neck up higher and choking me
If it were a cardigan, I’d keep the hood, but since it’s a pullover, I don’t think you need it.
The green scarf is very pretty! I think your pal will really like it.
First let me knonw how fantastic you are looking these days!
Keep up the fab work, girl! And oh, that malabrigo scarf is coming out stunning! Busy bee, you! 
OMG! You look great! You’re going to inspire me!
Damn, you are so skinny Lolly! As for the hoodie, when you asked about the hood I was like “what hood?” despite your calling it a Hoodie. Anyway, when I looked at the photo I must have always seen it like that cowl-neck pattern from . . . Weekend Knitting, I believe. Anyway, I for some reason never realized it was a hood. I’d go no hood, personally, because the tailoring on the main sweater is so nice, I’d want to keep the crisper look.
Beautiful hoodie! It looks so great on you even though it isn’t all the way seamed!
You look great Lolly!! I would leave the hoodie off. The sweater looks great as it is, and now without having to do the hoodie, you’ll definitely finish the sesame cardigan before Sept. ends!
Mmmmmmalabrigo is divine. I’m sure your pal will love it!
you look so AWESOME!!! look at you!
you are really kickin’ butt in the weight loss category. i took one look at that pictures and said, “is that really lolly?!” 
fabulous!
as for the hoodie, i think that it’s cute and if you have the time to do it, do it! but maybe if you want to finish both sweaters, you should switch to sesame for a bit and see how much time you have left after finishing that? i don’t know. i’m also pretty indecisive sometimes.
Yeah - look how skinny you are! I was reading the post on Bloglines and didn’t see the whole photo - I thought since you were talking about report cards, it was a pic of you from your childhood!
Handpaintedyarn and Malabrigo are the same company, the latter being the merino wool version of the former. I am glad I bought a lot of it back when he sold it all on eBay.
Wow - you look great! Your cheekbones are about to poke through!
I love the color of the pom hoodie. My vote would be to leave the hood off — that way the sweater will be more versatile. It looks like as a scoopneck, you could dress it up or down. But I’ve always been more practical than whimsical.
(My report card always said I was a good student but couldn’t sit still. Guess I never outgrew that…..)
I’m voting for the hood.
You look amazing and I miss you!
Oooh, that scarf looks NICE! Sweater is looking good too!
no nono - do the hoodie…it’s soooo cute!
well boss your knitting around as you will m’dear…It’ll look fabby!!
I love that yarn…you know
That totally looks like Pixie’s report card…
hehe.
only she hums and looks about and fiddles with her hair/pencil/or shoe.
cute!
Now, did you choose this pattern because you particularly liked the hoodie or just because you wanted a nice gauzy sweater? I personally am not crazy about hoods on non-outerwear garments — they get bulky under a coat and make me feel like I have a hunchback (your posture is probably better than mine though). But, I think you should go with your original intentions for the pattern — if you were drawn to the hood, don’t quit now just because you want to move on. If you like the sweater as is, stick a fork in it.
And I second the sentiment that you’re looking great! I think beautiful ladies (and men for that matter) come in all shapes and sizes, but your determination to get to a point where you personally feel gorgeous and healthy is admirable. You’re doing amazingly well!
Wow! Are you still taking progress shots of your weight loss?
You are looking fabulous!
OOHH…i have some malabrigo my mom got me last year that i think i MUST knit “my so-called scarf” with now! yay! thanks for the idea!
Lovely hoodie!
Malabrigo is very yummy. I have some in the old stash, but haven’t broken it out yet.
600 participants! Hoo boy! You’re going to be busy!
If you have yarn to finish the hoodie then I say finish. Unless there is enough to doe something else with. Hoodies are more about a look and less about the fact that you’ll actually use them.
Isn’t the Malabrigo nice. It might pill a little but I think it’s worth it.
You look great in that picture. All the gym time has paid off big time. I say make the hood it looks cute.
lolly, you are looking mighty fine in that picture! all your hard work is certainly paying off
now, about the hood … eeeh. not so exciting. i guess because i think a hood should be functional. and i think the garment would be more versatile w/o a hood … with a hood it says ‘casual’, w/o a hood, you could possibly wear it with a satin skirt and knee high boots with a pretty scarf …. maybe you could use the leftovers for a hat?!
when i was a kid, my report cards ALWAYS said “talks too much!” i even had one teacher move me to the back of the classroom, far from the other kids (mean teacher!) and i would just talk to myself.
back to the hoodie … i think i just have a person thing against them, though i do like the look of a hoodie, just not on me. i’ve always had too much hair to fit inside of a hood (well, up until it got really hot this summer and i had most of it whacked off).
whaaa … i’m feeling ‘under the weather’ and seeing you looking all fit makes me want to go out and exercise … but i’m afraid with this crud that i’d just end up face down on the sidewalk!
I vote hood.
The hood is a definite yes! Gasp… I love the the pattern on your green scarf! What’s the pattern you’re using. I have some teal malabrigo from my One Skein Secret Pal that I haven’t knit up yet and I want to make a scarf with it. In fact, my last week’s obsession was trying to find a nice complementary color to the teal malabrigo because I wouldn’t be able to find the same color anyway. Do you know how hard it is to find a color that goes with this teal???
I love hoodies, but I say leave it off if you’re not really feelin’ it. It doesn’t need it (still looks cute without it) and if you go sans hood, you’ll be done that much sooner in order to CO for the other projects you’re itching to start. I know, I’m an enabler.
My dear, you are looking simply marvy! I am so extremely proud of you!
As far as the hoodie, I would go ahead and knit the hood. It adds the extra oomph to complete it, IMHO.
I am so jazzed about Socktoberfest! And thanks for the Flickr invite as well! And, the comments on the blog!
I like the hood and say leave it. I think it adds a nice touch to the sweater.
I like the hood; it adds a little extra something. But it is a beautiful sweater as is too. And it looks great on you!
The green scarf is soo pretty. What a good color. Lucky pal!
I got some blue malabrigo on my honeymoon and agree about how soft it is. And the colors are scrumptious. I have four skeins, about 800 yards, and can’t decide what to do with it.
I always got those “Very bright, but talks too much” comments, too. *sigh*
If it were my hoodie, it probably would be a “no hoodie” instead. But that’s just me. If that’s one of the bits that drew you to the pattern, I’d go with it, or you’ll be disappointed.
It’s GORGEOUS! No wonder you love that color, it’s perfect for your complexion.
As for being talkative, I’ll quote one of my grade school teacher’s comment to my mom, “She’s very smart, but she just won’t be still. She walks around the classroom with her purse on her arm to see what everyone else is doing.”
I have no recollection of this - pleading the 5th or whatever - but I think it’s the perfect personality for blogging, right?
you do look great. i thought at first it was one of your sisters wearing the sweater.
so do you know when i can’t decide? i flip a coin. and usually what happens is, i’m ok with whatever the coin tells me but most often than not, i’m not happy. so i pick the other choice, which is probably what i wanted to pick in the first place but couldn’t commit.
so flip a coin…see what the coin tells you about your real feelings about the hood.
finally, i joined soctoberfest. why the hell not. everyone else is playing.
by the way, i’m also easily distracted. and got into trouble as a kid for talking to my neighbor in class.
I wasn’t thrilled about the Project Runway twist either - thankfully it didn’t really amount to much.
Sadly, I’m also not excited by the hood. I like the Pom hoodless. I think that, with your new shape, the sweater will look great.
Isn’t the Malabrigo wonderful! I love it.
I am working on a multidirectional scarf using Manos right now and I wish I had more Malabrigo to use instead. The only shop I saw that has it is Frivolous Fibers in St Michaels MD. Definitely worth the trip if you want to see a new shop!
The Hoodie looks great too!
-Jody
I say loose the hoodie! It looks great without it!
Oh & don’t even get me started on malabrigo!! I’m in love with that stuff!!
I like the hood. It give the sweater a sexy - sporty look.
Amy
I’ll say hood–I love hoods, it gives a sporty look. And girl–you are looking awesome!!
I don’t usually comment, just a lurking reader most of the time. But I just had to pipe in and say that you, madam, look AMAZING! What progress you’ve made! Holy crap! Congrats, I know you must be feeling like a million bucks!
Hi! I like the hood-it adds some spark to the sweater (great color BTW). AND…..you look so great. What an inspiration! Keep up the good, hard work-now I need to get on the band wagon:)
That really is a perfect fit - it’s going to be fabulous. I’d leave the hood off - why bother when it looks great without it!
Hoodie looks great and so do you!!
I like the hood….it looks so sporty! You are so skinny!! You look great!
You’re looking great!
Leave the hood off. It might look silly with it on. I have to agree with previous commenters, I hardly recognized you! You’ve gotten so skinny and you do look fabulous (but then, I always thought you looked fabulous)
Wow, look at how much weight you have lost! I am so impressed (with the sweater too, it’s great). I wish I could find a way to get that much weight loss for myself.
hoods are so hot right now. i say keep it! also, they are never meant to really be worn. it’s just one of those stupid fashion things!
p.s. you look great in that picture!
Your hoodie is looking so cute!! I can’t wait to see her finished! I am in search of some great solid sock yarn in autumn colors…. any suggestions of soft wool yarn you have used and loved wearing and knitting? I have only ever knit a few pairs so I have no idea what to use. I want to use something really nice though because it may be the only other pair I knit for a long time! =)
omgosh Lauren, you are SO beautiful…and i want that hoodie, p.s.
oh and tell little momma fergie that she should comment on my manateenee blog so i feel loved…:) i hope you are doing wonderful..you sure do LOOK WONDERFUL pretty pretty lady 
much love, jami.
I just wanted to say that you look amazing!
YES to the hood!! That said, I must confess that I have a personal hoodie-lust problem. My view on life is that one can never have too many hoodies in their wardrobe! The sweater is super cute!
I’ve been looking forward to seeing your Pom Hoodie WITH hood! I have that pattern too and have been thinking about starting it. The hood seems to add a cute touch and a nice balance to the sweater. You could go crazy and knit the hood separately with button holes and add some cute buttons for it around the neck of the sweater, sort of like little kids’ winter jackets with removable hoods. I’m not sure if the yarn is sturdy enough for that, though. Have fun finishing, whatever you decide.
1. Yes on the hood; I like the way they make the neckline drape. 2. I am so impressed with your new shape — gorgeous! 3. It is better that you are loquacious, because you have such a lovely voice. It was one of the most surprising pleasures of meeting you at MDSW.
You are looking fabulous! Great job on that.
As for the sweater, I wouldn’t bother with the hood. I think the sweater looks great without it. If you change your mind later, you can always pick up stitches and add one on.
I know what you mean trying to stay the track and finish a sweater! You look so good Girl!
Hi Lolly! I think that I like the pomegranate sweater better without the hood. Especially seeing as it really has no function whatsoever.
I just joined Socktoberfest and I am looking forward to it lots! I also hope you decide to do another Project Spectrum, that was really cool. I joined that one late though so I missed most of it. I’d love to do it again, it was nice.
The pom hoodie is coming along nicely. I love the idea of the hood even though I would never wear it - but then again if it’s MY knitting time I’m talking about, I might leave it off. Will it make the collar look funky if you do?
I love the My So-Called Scarf pattern - it looks great in that Malabrigo!
Lolly! your Pom hoodie is going to be great! And you are a skinny minnie
you look great!
I love that so-called scarf pattern. It has a really nice woven look that I like.
Wow, Lolly! You look like a completely different person. Your face has changed so much with the weight loss. It’s hard to believe that’s you. Great job!
I love how the hoodie is coming along. And I love Malabrigo and green shade you picked. Consider washing with a tiny bit of glycerin to avoid pilling.
I love the sweater and you look mahvelous!! I think no hoodie, but that’s just a growing personal preference. I actually like the way hoodies look and I think the original design really works, but I have to agree with what so many other people have said…I think hoods get in the way under coats, I never use them and they tend to pull just enough that they can be uncomfortable. I also think the sweater would be more versatile, and could be dressed up so smartly if the hood was left off. Either way you decide, it’s going to be a gorgeous sweater, and you’ll look just smashing!
Love the sweater, it’s going to be very flattering on you especially in that color
Now I am also curious as to isel’s advice on washing with glycerin to prevent pilling??
You look great — just fab! And I love the pomegranite hoodie — so cute!
Hey, Miss Lolly! You are lookin’ mighty slim ‘n trim! Hey, when do I get to hug you again?? >>virtual hugs
Funny, my daughter has gotten almost that same sentence written on every one of her report cards ;o)
I say keep the hood…
I’m against the hood myself! I’m so happy that you are working on Pom Hoodie again. I’d go sans the hood and seam er up, finish the neck and call it good! And move along to Sesame!
I think you should make the hoodie — most hoodies are more style than function anyway and it’s a cute look!
I love the scarf, I’m sure you pal will too.
You were always beautiful but you’re looking very trim and lovely!
Malabrigo is one of my favorites. There’s somthing so soft and comforting about that yarn. That’s a really pretty green.
Hello my “loquacious Lol”! I think you will enjoy the sweater either way but the hood will add even more interest and make the neckline drape nicely.
BTW, my lovely, you were just doing what came naturally to you all those years ago. I, too, was a “visitor” in class. My mom must have been beside herself because I was so much like my dad. She, most likely, was the model student.
Oh well, it just proves, “what goes around, comes around”. I love you!
Great color for the scarf. I vote a big yes for the hood.
I love the pomegranate hoodie! So cute. And I love that you took the photo in what looks like work-out gear! Because you do so much of that and the efforts are showing.
I’ve been working out five days a week and clearly I need to bump it up a bit after looking at your great results from doubling up workouts!
Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh, and how funny that you should start that scarf. I just bought some yarn to do that pattern myself!
Oh and I’d love to read an update on your Weigh Down blog. It looks like you’ve had a total break through from that plateau to say the least!
Lolly - the sweater looks great! I can relate to the report card issue - I always got TALKS TOO MUCH……….
I was always qwuiet in school, but my DD (12 yo) is a TALKER! She always gets the “talks too much / disrupts class / needs to be quiet” sort of notes on her report cards, poor thing. Me, I’m saving to send her to law school, because I figure she can talk the opposition into agreeing…
I vote knit the hood - it’ll set this sweater apart. I almost never wear the hoods of my sweaters/jackets/sweatshirts up, but they still feel a little extra cozy around the neck, which I love.
Oh, and hooray for Malabrigo! I’d like an entire bodysuit of that stuff. Maybe just a big sack with sleeves (and a hood) like they have for newborn babies.
look at you, you stud….I want a hoodie:( just like big sister!
Hey girl! Ohhh…you know how I love that Pomegranite Hoodie. So glad to see it again! Fabulous color. I say go for the hood..love the hood. Very cute “other projects” too. I especially like the cabled cardi. hope to see you sometime soon! Maybe before 2007?! xo Donna
oh, you slim down a lot, just keep it that way, don’t over do it. The green scarf are looking good!
lolly-
i just finished ‘my so called scarf’ using some wonderful malabrigo yarn too!
wow - great creative minds think alike!
keep up the good work - and thanks for sharing your creations with us - everything looks great!
I’d go no hood, unless you want to make it a strictly casual sweater, but it looks more dressy. The Malabrigo scarf is gorgeous. I have that pattern saved to give it a try…
i say leave off the hood — it’s sporty and cute, but the sweater looks great without it. (and you look great too!)
I vote “yes” for the hood. I’m still searching for THE perfect zip front hoodie
Yes for the hood. I like the look of it. BTW, you look GREAT!!!! Good job!
Lolly, wow! You are an inspiration, on all levels! Look at you! Look at your knitting! (Look at the number of people signed up for Socktoberfest! Almost 1000!)
There is nothing you can’t do!!
I’ve been wanting to do the “My So Called Scarf” for awhile. I have some handspun (the stuff on my blog banner) that I’m going to use for it. Once I finish plying it.
Whilst I *love* hoods with a passion, I think I’d leave it off this sweater, I feel it’d add bulk without a real purpose… just my 2 p
Btw, it’s looking fab!!
Hey Lolly, The Pomengranate Hoodie is looking great as are you, keep up the good work. I like the Pom sans hoodie. Can’t wait for Socktoberfest. I’ll be kicking it off Vegas-style!
i wrote you a commet but I think I left it on an old blog, from a week ago, see if can find it. Love to MY “FAVORTIE NEICE”. AUNTIE!!!!!!!!
I love the pomegranate hoodie
OK, I check in on your site every now and again because, even though I don’t knit, I LOVE color. Can I just say that you look fantastic?! Your hard work is obvious; you must feel so healthy and good. I *might* finally feel inspired enough to start working out (again…oh yet again…) myself.
Oh, the pomegranate hoodie? Excellent color. And as for being easily distracted? I can relate all too well. My sewing room is a screaming testament to that!
I had those same comments written about me…”talkative!”
My parents couldn’t quite understand b/c I never talked to them…
…but hey…all’s well that ends well, I suppose.
You look really fit..I have been watching your progress and am hoping to gleen some mojo off of you.
Take care,
Sangeeta
I’ve seen a scarf like this before and always tried to figure out the pattern myself. Thanks for supplying the pattern, now I can finally try it myself (after the socks of course, sometime in november);)