Even though I’m not in Paris, lately I’ve been buoyed by the same frothy feeling I get walking down its streets, that little glow around the lashes, that little tug on the heart seeing a budding branch or an ornamental laughing face appear out of nowhere.
It is Spring here in Chicago and at Chez Chic the love is all around.
It seems impossible after all this time to STILL be excited by this craft, this silly stick-rubbing routine, so ancient it makes me weep (oh, did I mention I’m a sentimental fool this time of year as well?)
Maybe it’s because the higher tech we get as a people, the almost no-tech aspect of the craft fills me with a connectedness to a past, a group memory, maybe just a longing for times that were simpler.
I love the feel of the yarn passing through my hands, making the loop to make the stitch, watching the way the simple stick pulls the fiber through its cousin loop and then joins the next.
And I watch it grow.
My black CeCe is almost at the underarm stage and it was time to put it on the mannequin and check for measure.
It was also the time to reward myself a little…
In every project, there are stages: the bottom edging, establishing a stitch pattern, finishing a section, and more.
I often take a breather after a stage is completed to play a little with what I’m making.
Here, I’ve put the stitches on a couple more “holder” circular needles to distribute the Body of the garment. Then I measured it flat (smoothing it into place with my hands to appreciate the evenness of the stitches, the look of the lace) to make sure I was matching the schematic of the pieces and could continue to the next level.
But more fun?
Pulling out the button box and digging through the trove.
Why? For this CeCe, I’ve made six buttonholes along the band.
In the original, there is one buttonhole (and one big button) at the beginning of the V-neck of the garment.
I thought it would be fun to use some smaller buttons, more buttons, to make it look and act a little different from the other 4 CeCe’s already in my cupboard.
How to do it: On Row 4 (4, 6, 6, 8, 8) from CO edge, make the first buttonhole by working the first four stitches as they appear, then the next two as [SSK, YO]. Repeat every 12 rows 5 more times.
I “dressed” my black CeCe with three different buttons — am thinking I will go with the one on the top, which has some lacy inscriptions on its face.
you write so well… i like very much reading your posts.
I wish I had seen this sooner!! I too am in the process of knitting a CeCe (burgundy) and the idea of more button holes never occurred to me. (I’m more concerned about the length to the underarm. And I’m going to make the sleeves full length.) I’m almost to the underarm and will follow your lead and check for fit. But more buttons!! What a concept!
Love! Wanting to gather my CeCe yarn & start. I want auto-pilot on my car, darnit! All that travel time..
Cindy —
If you haven’t made the original “one” buttonhole yet, I recommend using some hooks’n’eyes to make closures for the cardigan, dropping the buttonhole altogether.
That’s a great alternative too that I’ve used many times. :)
Love this! Was on the fence about wanting to make, but your posts and pics makes it now something to add to my ever growing list…. Personally, I like the different buttons as pictured, but then I like to mix things up. Thanks for sharing.
what a wonderful idea! I like the top one too.
Lovely cardi and I loved your desciption of the thrill you get from knitting – me too!
Lovely!!
I’ve just gotten my Cece out of it’s winter bottom of the drawer spot — mine’s sort of string white, which is as wearable as I imagine your black will be. It’s your sweater, not mine, but I’d give the bottom button another thought. Plainer and smaller – I like it.
Once I finished with Cerisara I cast on for another CeCe! Glad to see that others had the same thought process. Mine is sunny yellow–perfect for spring and summer! Nicole is also on the table waiting to be swatched, only I will add sleeves to it and lengthen the body some. Looks like I’m going to be Chic this season :)
I love your new idea for CeCe. I have never made the same sweater twice but I have copied your instructions above to add to my original pattern. Hmmmmm. I may need to go there! I really liked the “tailored” lace look of this sweater.
Want! Just can’t choose a color.
I love the top button as well!
Ummm…love the hook and eye idea. As luck (?) would have it I ripped back to just before the button hole (and first decrease) so I could make the body a little longer (and start the V higher). I’d like it to hit at the top of my hip rather than my waist. So this is a very nice solution…….Though I like buttons too.