Lots of things to Finish...

... but the Anise jacket is not one of them!  I started this jacket in October or November (I think?).  Once I realized that I would not be an instantaneous KNITTING SUPERSTAR-- and thereby would not be knitting any amazing cardigans or sweaters for myself any time soon-- I decided to try my hand at the Colette Anise jacket.

The tweed was heavily inspired by all of the BBC TV shows that I watch... from Sherlock Holmes to Lark Rise to Candleford.  I couldn't decide from my cache of jacket/ coat patterns... but then I developed an interest in the Anise jacket, and bought it during a sale at Fabric Depot. 

Ok, she's not wearing tweed.  But it's a fitted jacket with a peter pan collar.

Tweed! 

The pattern has been out for a while now, and I wasn't drawn to it initially.  I guess I thought the style was a bit too "preppy" for me?  And it looked like a complicated pattern-- I didn't want to pay another $9 for the Anise Companion (sorry to admit, I can be very cheap sometimes!).

But then came the failed knitting reality, and then came the images of tweed on the telly, and then I realized I don't have a proper pea coat...  and then came the Anise. 

Although it took me quite a while to finish this jacket, I don't think this was a difficult project.  The pattern instructions and the online Anise sew-a-long posts were enough for me.  But then I'm not super-precise, tailoring-buff, master seamstress.  In fact, I didn't do the welt pockets or bound buttonholes.  Maybe one day I'll take the effort to do that, but at this point in my life, I'm okay with cutting some corners here and there :)

Welt pockets would have been such a nice touch, but I opted for simple patch pockets.  Eh.  They're a bit of an eyesore, but a necessity for the ol' phone and keys.  I did do self-fabric covered buttons, though. 

I goofed in a few areas, but nothing I'm gonna beat myself up about.  This is a comfortable coat to wear, although I have lost some of the "prednisone weight" since I first began the project, so it's not as fitted as it could be.  But I kind of like the boxier fit; it's more forgiving.  I set the sleeves in incorrectly, so they're kind of twisty on my long gorilla arms... something I didn't catch on to until the sleeve lining was already hand-sewn into the interior...  fat chance of any seam-ripping those puppies out.  There:  I'm lazy.  Lazy and cheap.  :) 

2012 Tweed Kittehs!

The fabric was actually something I picked up at Goodwill a few years ago.  Nearly four yards of rainbow-flecked black tweed for $7.99.  My guess is it's either wool or a wool blend.  I used it to make several stuffed kitty cats, and the fabric has held up beautifully to lots of play and snuggling-- therefore, I'm optimistic about it's durability as a jacket.  The lining is some thrifted plaid flannel to add touch of sportiness.




All righty then!  I just thought I'd actually post a finished project, since it's been a while since I've completed something just for me.  Looking at my wardrobe, there isn't a whole lot that I "need", so it was nice to take it slow with this jacket and invest some time in something that is versatile and very fun to wear.  And guess what?  I'm knitting a SCARF to go with it :)  A scarf?  That I can do! 

Oh yeah, I got my haircut.  hehe.  My mom took these pics right after I got a trim, so it's a bit "salon-y".  But I do like it.  One day I'd love to have long hair again, but back in November I just decided to go for it, just to get it out of my system.  If I can't have a "mom cut" now, when can I?  :)