Sunday, February 8, 2009

WWYD?


Under the influence of Grayson Cabernet Sauvignon, I bought the Ralph Lauren sweater last night.  I think it's beautiful, and worth every penny.  Considering the yarn, and the time and effort expended, the original price would have been worth every penny for a hand knit item.  Upon request, I've knit some things for people and I've never charged more than the value of the yarn-never taking into consideration how many Rudee hours have gone into the item.  When I look at items others have made, I usually think a work of art is worth the asking price.  Even though I'm sure this Ralph sweater is mass produced, the yarn alone makes it worth the $50 I purchased it for.  But really, what was I thinking?  I tried it on at the store and though the mirror didn't lie, my wine addled brain told me I could fix that horrible hem.  Ralph, what were YOU thinking?

Here are my options:
  • Wear it as is, because even though it makes my arse look enormous, darling, I'm fabulous as is, and so is this sweater.
  • While wearing it, tell everybody I decided to go off my meds.
  • Undo the side seams (machine sown), and unravel the hideous hem.  Finish by knitting a 2 X 2 rib.
  • Steek and hem.  I've never steeked a thing in my life, but Elizabeth Zimmerman recommended a lie down afterwords to get over the shock.  This leads me to think that such a treatment may give me the vapors.
  • Find the receipt and look for something that highlights my assets in a more humane manner.
What would you do?

19 comments:

J'Ollie Primitives said...

Oh I'd wear it as is! You might have ruffle dysmorphic disorder ~ you know, where ruffles make certain parts of your anatomy look bigger but only to you...heh heh maybe you should post a pic of you wearing the sweater and take a vote!

what a great deal you got on the sweater, it's pretty.

debra said...

It's the ruffle..... I couldn't
wear it. Not so much because it would make my arse expand visually, but because it's.....it's..... uh interesting.
I, who sweats when I am within a foot of a sewing machine, would freak out if I had to skeek. I would probably exchange it-----if I couldn't talk my daughter into altering it.

Rositta said...

I absolutely will never Steek, my heard couldn't handle it. I'm sure the tachycardia would come back, lol. I'd probably undo the hem and knit a rib but it is time consuming. I recently did it to a sweater I'd knit because the sleeves were too long. Pain in the arse it was...ciao

Rudee said...

No J'ollie, objects in my mirror are larger than they appear. The ruffle lands right where it shouldn't. It would be perfect with the ruffle.

Debra-it is the ruffle. Do I love the cable pattern enough to hack it up? I have yarn worth more than I paid for this just sitting around in bins. It could be an interesting experiment-or a complete disaster.

Rose said...

I'd probably return it but you can probably fix it. My daughter would completely unravel and start over.

Brenda said...

Well, I love it as is! Black pants maybe? I am too large to wear that, but from the pics I have seen of you, I don't see it being a problem. I really like it!

Anonymous said...

Find the Reciept. Take it back....Then Go on line to Spirit Air. Find the cheapest airfare to Florida and Go!

Unknown said...

I've already spilled spaghetti sauce on it just sitting here looking at it. I say take it back and get yourself a do-over. I myself have a J Lo butt. Don't need ruffles acting like little arrows to point that out:>)

laurie said...

man, you're nuts! you're all nuts! it's gorgeous,
and nobody thinks that your butt is going to fill out the ruffles. you're like me when i used to wear dirndl skirts--i assumed everyone thought my ass was the same size as the skirt.

but if you really hate the ruffles, undo them. can you put more of a rolled hem on the sweater? that might work. not sure a 2 x 2 rib would work, exactly.

or, just send it to me. i'll wear it.

Rudee said...

Rose, the cables in this sweater are gorgeous. I couldn't undo the whole thing. Just the hem.

Brenda, I'm going to try it with my black trousers-currently at the dry cleaners. They make me look 10 pounds thinner so we'll see how that looks. THose were last year's steal-$30 for a pair of Tahari pants that had an original sticker of $250.

Laurie, a rolled hem would be simplest, but what you cant see through all that ruffle, is a 2 x 2 hem. It's there-encased in too much yarn. BTW, it's incredibly soft...

Anon-Florida sounds good, but I hear it's cold there right now.

Distracted, I already love it too much to return it.

Ruth said...

Wear it - Dont' turn around and look in the mirror - it disorts everything and gives you a bad neck, shoulder & back.
Ruth

Jane said...

I am sure it's not as bad as you say. Looks so soft

flydragon said...

I say wear it and let the ruffles fall where they may. And steek or no steek, I want to see a pic of you with the vapors.

Rudee said...

Ruth, I'm going to follow your advice. I didn't know looking at my arse was what was responsible for my bad back. Hmmmmm.

Flydragon-I think I had the vapors when my son's doctor called Friday afternoon.

willowtree said...

That hem reminds of of the "Puffy Shirt" episode on Seinfeld.

Rudee said...

Dammit WT! I was going to get brave and just wear it as is. Now I can't.

Winifred said...

Wear it as it is a few times. If you still don't like it then try altering it.

Crumbs but you're brave to even think of messing about with it.

sandy said...

I like it but not that ruffle. Can you fix it? it's a beautiful sweater though.

Betty F said...

Not that I recommend this... I'D wear it as is... White usually ends up with a food or drink spot on it anyway.