Goal Met!

The Dymphna Pullover is finished! 11 and half hours to spare (okay, it's not blocked, but I'm not counting that)! So that's 24 completed projects in 2009. Whew and I'm glad that's over. While it was a fun challenge, I won't be doing a volume goal again! However, it does look like I ended on a success.

Project Stats:

Pattern: a heavily modified version of the Dymphna V-neck Pullover from Cable Confidence by Sarah Louise Harper.

Yarn: Cascade 220 in blue velvet (love it!)

Problems with the pattern: none... but I didn't really follow the pattern, just the pattern stitches.

Changes to the pattern: well... a lot. I changed this to a semi-seamless top down. I decided on a mock turtleneck. I added cabled saddles. I did a different ribbing, continuing the cables into the ribbing. It's custom sized.

Overall impression: I'm thrilled. I have to admit, I haven't actually tried it on, but I'm waiting until it's blocked. The slipped stiches and the center box stitch really need to be blocked for proper sizing, and I don't want to be upset if it doesn't fit pre-blocking. I'll wait for it to not fit AFTER blocking (fingers crossed, I haven't gained too much weight). I love the colors and the pattern stitches. I loved the combo of the box stitch with the cables, and it was a super easy pattern to knit. This is my style of sweater 100%! Huge thumbs up!


Okay, that means I'm officially done with 2009... bring on 2010, baby!

Goodbye and Hello

Well, the projects review is done. As I said yesterday, I think it was a mostly productive year. I still think I can reach my 24 in 2009 goal (as I procrastinate on my Dymphna Pullover by updating my blog). However, I know that I won't be setting a volume goal for 2010.

The biggest problem that I ran into this year was that it confined me project-wise. I made decisions based on how quickly I could get something done. That's not really my style of knitting. There are several things I really wanted to work on that I just didn't want to put the time in.

Those are the projects I want to focus on this coming year. I want ability challenges for 2010. A new technique or a complex project. Things in my queue that I've been avoiding because they're high concentration.

I have already promised Matt his fair isle sweater. I bought the kit back in 2006. I find fair isle to be very high concentration, and it's not my favorite to knit. That makes it perfect for what I want to accomplish in 2010. I also want to get one of my higher concentration cabled sweaters done. Either St. Brigid or Marilyn.

However the number one goal for 2010 is to tackle the sewing/craft room. The current state of my sewing room could easily make an appearance on Hoarders. It was always "messy", but it has become a dumping ground. I need to do some serious purging and organization. It's going to be a lot of work and quite frankly, it's very overwhelming.

So let's do the specifics (so I can look back this time next year).

1. Clean and organize sewing room
2. Bayberry
3. St. Brigid or Marilyn
4. Fix/repair the 4 projects that have minor issues

a: Summer Braids
b: Mondo Cable Cardi
c: Asymetrical Cardi
d: Kool Kardi (sadly, this just needs buttons!)

It's not an overwhelming set of goals, but each is very challenging for me. First tho', I gotta get project #24 done by midnight tomorrow! (I make no promises that it will be blocked this year).

Last of the Year in Review

These are the last two projects that will be included in my year in review. I still have high hopes that I'll get the Dymphna Pullover done this year... but I certainly won't have time to get it in the review. Let's see what's left!

Asymemtrical Cardi


Quick summery: a simple asymetrical cardigan from Knitting Pure & Simple (hence the clever name).

Initial thoughts: I enjoyed knitting it, but due to my lovely body shape (full figured with narrow shoulders), and the loose gauge, the neckline is way too large. The yarn also works as a "felt board" and sticks to my turtlenecks.

Current thoughts: well, I've worn it and the sticking part is the biggest issue. My under layer needs to be slicker than I have. I'm sure if I could wear blouses, that would work, but the knit shirts just isn't slick enough. I know that the too open neckline is an easy fix, and I will do that... eventually!

Final thoughts: a great pattern and the yarn is lovely (even if it is sticky...). I'll absolutely knit this pattern again, as it was a pleasure to knit and I love the style.

Aspinwall Pullover


Quick summery: a beautiful pattern from the 2009 winter issue of Interweave Knits. Matt's Christmas sweater

Initial thoughts: Loved it! Apart from my having to change the pattern a bit (PSA: half brioche stitch in the round sucks!) for sanity/time issues, it's exactly what I wanted for Matt.

Current thoughts: Matt loves it too! He's been wearing it a lot. He says it's nice and warm. The style is very flattering on him (now that I have a decent camera, I need to get some better photos! Edit: new photo, best I can do with the time constraints I had). We both are thrilled.

Final thoughts: I am seriously considering an other one, completely different colors, but sticking closer to the original pattern style.

So, I think overall, it's been a successful year. I'm close to my goal of 24 projects (and yes time is running out). There were a couple of projects that I did spend a lot of time with that had some last minute issues and ate up a lot of time (the Gaelic Morning Mist has the body done before I realized that it wasn't going to fit. Julie and I finished up Babette, but there was some blocking issues so it's not really finished. oh... and then there was that whole Fallout 3 thing. I easily spent over 200 hours this year just on that alone... and it wasn't the only game I spent a lot of time with!)

I will not be doing a "volume" goal for 2010. I found that I avoided more complex projects just because I wanted to get stuff done. I haven't decided exactly what my goals will be, and with the Winter Olympics this coming year, I also will be doing a specific goal for that. I do know that there are 3 or 4 very specific projects that I would like to do. I'll decide before the end of the year, as I'll want a nice fresh start Jan 1!

Camera Fun

Gena has agreed to be my test model while I play with camera settings (sorry Facebook friends... they'll be more I'm sure). She's been very patient and low maintenance. It has cut into my knitting time... and put me behind schedule for Dymphna. Eh who cares... look at that sweet face!

Tick Tock Eeek!

I have one more day of year in review, and I'll get to it one day next week. However, project #24 is still in progress, and time is running out on 2009.

The Dymphna Pullover is moving along... slowly as I'm easily distracted.


I'm hoping that my project photos will improve as I learn how to use my brand spankin' new SLR. No more excuses of my point and shoot (but I've already learned that there is a fairly large learning curve).

The photo is a little dececptive, since it's on my dress form... ya might be thinking it's done. It is not.


The front is done, but I only have about 3" done on the back. It's a simple knit, but I really need to get crackin' if I plan on having it done by 2010.

Here's a detail of my ribbing and extended cables (yet an other change from the original pattern).


Okay... off to knit!

A Tough Day for Year in Review

Both projects today have a high Jake reminder. A month later, and we're still adjusting to the day to day things without Jake. This project is the last project I photographed with Jake.

Casual Delights Afghan


Quick summery: did half of this aghan, put it away for about a year, then it finished up very quickly

Initial impression: easy pattern, the yarn washed up beautifully, good size and very snuggly

Current impression: love it. I snuggle under this every morning with my coffee/knitting/MLB Hot Stove (we no longer watch ESPN, as we don't follow soccer).

Final thoughts: a great afghan... and you simply can't have too many great afghans (especially with 2 feet of snow outside!)

Fylingdales Cardigan


Quick summery: a pattern I had for years, then it was included in Lisa Llyod's book "A Fine Fleece"... this is the third yarn I tried for it, with good results.

Initial impression: loved it! the pattern was easy, the knitting interesting and I looooooove the color (doesn't photograph well)

Current impression: I love it. I've worn it a lot since completion. It is very warm, almost a light weight coat.

Final thoughts: a great project with good results. I have yet to be disappointed in a Lisa Lloyd pattern.

I'm getting close to wrapping up my Year in Review... just 2 more finished projects... and I'm still "hoping" to get one more done this year. (However, between Matt being on vacation til next year plus Mass Effect, I haven't been putting a lot of time into my Dymphna Pullover). We'll see! I still have 9 days left in the year!

Back to the Year in Review

(as soon as I remember where I left off...)

Kool Kardi


Quick summery: hand dyed the yarn with Kool Aid and Paaz. the pattern is the ribbi pullover, but I cardinized it.

Initial impression: very happy... on many levels. Had a great time dyeing the yarn. very happy with how it knit up and the pattern worked beautifully with the yarn.

Current impression: the sleeves are waaaay too long. I didn't do my usual 4-6" shortening on Chicknits sleeves, thinking I would just cuff them. However, even cuffed, they are too long. So I haven't worn it (oh, and I may still need buttons). A quick fix and this will be a high usage cardigan for sure.

Final thoughts: this is a great cardigan. fixing the too long sleeves (I'll still make them long enough to fold up the cuff, but I need to take 3-4" off) will make this a high rotation sweater.

Patrick the 2nd


Quick summery: a re-do of a sweater I made for Matt last year (which was a total disaster). The pattern is one of the worst written pattern I've ever used, making me a little bitter towards this project.

Initial impression: I hated it. I was very disappointed with it when I finished it (if you click on the title, you'll go the finished project blog entry). I didn't think it fit Matt well and I was most definitely very bitter about the whole krappy pattern thing.

Current impression: Matt's been wearing it and my bitterness has faded. I still love the cables, but wish I had made it a little bigger (both in length and size). I think it's a little too fitted (which is his preferred style, but I think this one should be more relaxed). I may have overcompensated due to how big the first attempt was. I think it'll probably go on the wooley board to see if I can block it a bit larger.

Final thoughts: While I no longer hate it, I still think that I could've made it better. Matt loves it and wears it a lot. So I'll give the final result a B+.

A good question in my comments from yesterday. Christina asked why I hated doing cables in the round. There's a couple of reasons... first I like doing the back side without thinking (the patterns are usually a knit the knits and purl the purls... so it's like a row off). Also I don't really like to track cables. I usually "read" them and this is much harder to do when you work only on the front of the pattern (it's harder to tell if you are on an even or an odd row). The other issue I have with cables in the round is the gap that can happen between the cable and the purl stitch. I have more of a problem with that when working only on the right side, but it's much more minimal for me when I work back and forth. Certain stitches that I love (like moss) can bias when worked in the round, so I prefer to work them flat.

I'll also admit that I think the mattress stitch is magic. I don't mind seaming. Well, I don't like perpendicular joins (like the sleeves and saddles). So my semi-seamless is the perfect solution for me. The perpendicular seams are no longer an issue, leaving only the simple side seams to work.

So, those are my reasons, and it all comes down to how I knit... and maybe even more about how I think about my knitting while I'm knitting. I know that some people hate seaming soooo much that they'll do anything to avoid seams. Since I don't mind seaming (probably because I grew up sewing?), I'll only avoid them if it's not an inconvience to me.

We're still digging out from our 24" of snow over the weekend. The roads are fine now, so I think some errands will be run today. Or I might stay in an knit.

Winter Storm... so what else is there to do?

The weekend before Christmas and we're all snug inside as we're getting pounded by snow (forecast is between 12"-20"). So that gives me plenty of time to knit and do a rare Saturday blog.

First, thanks to everyone that left me comments! My last post was really a complaint about the 8-10 spam comments per post I was getting. I appreciate comments, but since I haven't come up with an effective way of responding (blogger doesn't allow me to respond via email) I certainly don't expect a lot of comments. Oh, and I should add that I'm horrible at leaving comments on other's blogs, as I'm a lurker too! So thanks for the comments! Tally: 4 real comments vs. 0 spam (let's hope that lasts!).

Meanwhile, I'll get back to my Year in Review on Monday. I need to update my final project for 2009. Well, I hope I get it done this year!


The sleeves are done on the Dymphna Pullover. A quick reminder about this project (as I started this last December). The pattern is from Cable Confidence by Sara Louise Harper. I made a *cough* few changes to the pattern. The original pattern is a V neck. Mine's a mock turtleneck. The original didn't have saddles or cables on the sleeve... mine does. The original pattern is worked traditionally: knit flat and seamed. I'm doing mine top down and semi-seamed.

I hate working cables in the round, but I also would like to do as little seaming as possible... so the top down contruction is perfect. The top down construction makes custom fitting easy and I prefer the insert sleeves. Here's a view of the sleeve cable:


Let me say that I love it. The stitches are really easy to work. The Cascade 220 color (blue velvet) is scrumptious. I think it looks great on my dress form (let's be optimistic that that will translate to my body!).

The snow is still coming down hard and heavy (and is supposed to for a while)... a perfect weekend to snuggle in and knit! (especially since all Christmas prep is done. Don't have to go anywhere or do anything. Yay!!!).

I guess I should keep going

I'm getting slammed with spam right now (which I don't get. I moderate comments and make it clear that annonymous comments will be rejected* -I don't even read them. So what's the advantage?). It's always a little discouraging to see nothing but spam for comments. Anyway, I want to finish the Year in Review for my own records, so here's two more projects.

My Granny is Scrappy


Quick summery: a completely addictive project using a dk weight baby yarn for a summery afghan

Initial impression: addictive and loved it!

Current impression: the yarn is a bit slippery, so the ends want to pop here and there, but it's getting a lot of use.

Final thoughts: This project sucked a lot of time, but it was totally worth it. I loved making the granny squares and the afghan is soft and light. One of my favorite projects of the year.

Mondo Cable Cardi


Quick summery: a quick fun to knit project (cast on as soon as the pattern was available).

Initial impression: Was happy with it. The pattern was fun to knit and I loved the drape of the yarn.

Current impression: Never worn it. It has some sizing issues (or rather I have some sizing issues). I made too small of a size and it doesn't hang on me properly. The collar is too high and flops down. I thought I could just wear the collar laying flat (as I photographed it), but it's not designed to lay that way, so it doesn't stay down. I think most of what is keeping me from wearing it is fixable (and will require more time with the treadmill).

Final thoughts: This still has the potential of being wearable... but I'm also probably going to make an other (I love the pattern).

So I haven't been knitting as much as I would like, so my final project of the year is not going quickly, but I'm still on my schedule to get it done by the my self imposed deadline (should finish the second sleeve today, then it's just the lower body to work).

*I do accept annonymous comments if they are "signed"... I know not everyone has a blogger account, but I just need some kind of signature so I know that they are "real" comments.

Mid-December

I'm not very focused on knitting right now (Mass Effect is a good RPG), but I'm hoping to get my Dymphna Pullover done before the end of the year. Top down construction is great... but I'm dealing with that whole second sleeve thing. There's still a lot of knitting left on this one, but the pattern is easy to work, so it's just a matter of actually knitting (instead of playing a video game for 10 hours). Meanwhile, I have two more year in review projects:

Textured Shawl


Quick summery: a stash busting quick and easy project

Initial impression: loved knitting this, loved the "pattern". Quick and easy.

Current impression: falls into typical shawl catagory: wish it was bigger (ran out of yarn), rarely wear it, have it hanging on display in the "yarn room" and love it.

Overall impression: I loved knitting this and I love how I have it displayed in my yarn room. It has actually been tossed over my shoulders on chilly mornings. A good, fun project.

Cotton Sampler Pullover


Quick summery: an other sampler project (I loooove stitch sampler projects) in a lovely natural cotton for Matt.

Initial impression: the pattern annoyed me and I was mildly disappointed with this project

Current impression: Matt looks so fabulous in the sweater. The yarn has relaxed as he's worn it and my annoyance with the pattern faded to the point that I love it now.

Final thoughts: this project is the reason I like doing year in review of my projects. The distance to the frustration on blocking this (it did break my wooly board) and the lazy pattern directions has allowed me to only see the finished project... which is now one of my favorite sweaters on Matt.

So it's always nice to go back to projects and re-evaluate them... sometimes what I loved when I finished a project doesn't work in the "real world" (ie: never wear it) and sometimes the frustration on a project effects how I feel about it when it's completed and that carries over to initial response. Distance from the frustration allows me to evaluate the project for how it's worn rather than how it was knit.

Okay... 2-1/2 weeks left in 2009... must. finish. project.

Back to the Year in Review

Today's review includes one of my very favorite projects of all time...

Bee Balm


Quick Summery: purchased yarn as a birthday gift to myself, knew it would be perfect for with the pattern

Initial impression: a beautiful, soft, lovely summer cardigan

Current impression: love. love. love. love. love.

Final thoughts: ya, a truely wonderful sweater... to knit and to wear. Pure Perfection.

Baby Gift Blanket


Quick summery: a simple crochet square baby blanket

Initial impression: nice yarn, was a quick project (always nice for a gift)

Current impression: gave to new the new mom and seemed pleased

Final thoughts: a nice break from all the knitting/sweaters and a nice easy care gift

Looking back... so far I would say I've felt most of my projects have been successful... and some spectacularly so.

We interupt the Year in Review...

The Aspinwall Pullover is done... sans blocking. Sorry for the fuzzy photo... that's the best of the lot. For some reason my autofocus camera has decided that it doesn't like to autofocus anymore (and it doesn't have a manual focus). Good enough to do some project stats, tho, eh?

Project Stats

Pattern: Aspinwall Pullover from the Winter 2009 issue of Interweave Knits

Yarn: Elann Highland Wool

Problems with the pattern: there were some math errors. The row gauge/directions/schematics do not match at all. Easily fixed, but something to be aware of if you are knitting this (especially for someone taller than Matt).

Changes to the pattern: the big one is the change on the half brioche stitch on the bottom. I hated working it in the round (I don't p2tog well). Plus even after only 3", the stitch biases drastically. If I had done the entire bottom in the half brioche, the stitches would probably have biased all the way around. I suggest if you knit this, do the half brioche flat (in two pieces), then seam it to do the fair isle in the round. The rest of the pattern is done as written. (with the exception of the extra st. st. after the fair isle to make the body long enough... which was to correct the gauge/directions error. If I had done it as written, the lower body would've only been 15", and even for Matt's 5'4" height, that would've been too short).

Overall impressions: I'm very happy with it. I do like the look of the half brioche stitch on the bottom half. Changing it to st. st. was purely for self preservation so that I could get this sweater done and not go insane. I love the fair isle band and the half zip. I think it fits Matt quite well and I loooove the color. Giving this a thumbs up.

I now have 3 weeks to finish one more project. No sweat, right? (especially when I consider that the Aspinwall Pullover was done in two weeks.... heck, I can even cast on a new project.... hmmmmm....)

A Few More Year in Review

Matt's Aspinwall Pullover will be done today. I have maybe a little over an inch to go on the collar, then just the zipper and a few finishing touches (not much... as most of the ends are woven in). Meanwhile... I'm doing 3 projects today.

Sensational Flower Basket Shawl


Quick summery: a beautiful lace pattern in a luxery yarn

Initial impression: very happy, but needed more yarn.

Current impression: just like the other shawls in my closet... never worn. I'm a cardigan girl (I feel "over accessorized" when I wear a shawl). I like cardigans.

Final thoughts: I loved knitting this, and the heavy yarn made for a quick project. I do think that if I find the right winter coat (and I'm looking for one), this will be wonderful with it.

My So Called Scarf


Quick summery: found this lovely yarn at a LYS, perfect breakfast knitting project

Initial thoughts: loved loved loved knitting this... maybe too much so (the scarf is Dr. Who long). The colors and the pattern were wonderful to knit.

Current thoughts: it's a little too long, but it's so snuggly and warm. Haven't actually worn it, but it's a great winter scarf.

Final thoughts: just like the Flower Basket Shawl... needs the right coat.

Summer Sambuca (I want to get a sweater in today).


Quick summery: a top down crochet jacket modified for a lighter weight yarn and with short sleeves

Initial thoughts: instant gratification, perfect light summer cardigan (tho' I still need some work on my crochet skills)

Current thoughts: still love it. It's the perfect little lacey cardigan for summer.

Final thoughts: Really enjoyed making it, think the summer/lighter weight worked out well... so well that I probably will try the wool/long sleeve version again.

More Year in Review

ya, ya, I know... I wanted a new FO today too. I goofed on the collar and have to rip it back and re-do it. Give me an other day or two, and Aspinwall will be done.

Meanwhile... let's do two more projects from 2009:

Forest Canapy in October:


Quick Summery: a quick and simple shawl pattern combined with great fall colors.

Initial Impressions: was very pleased. The pattern was easy, I loved the colors and thought it was a great way for a non-sock knitter to use up some stashed sock yarn.

Current Impressions: not a shawl wearer. I try... but they just aren't "me". I do like knitting them and I do think it's a great use of my stashed sock yarn. Sure looks pretty dressing up my dress form tho' and that's good enough for me.

Final Thoughts: I'll keep knitting shawls. Probably will never wear them. I don't care.

Lateralis


Quick Summery: this was a self designed cardigan using the summer sampler packs from Elann. Top down, raglan shaping.

Initial Impressions: enjoyed the striping, didn't think I did a great job with the math (thought the neckline was too large). Thought some of the stripes were a little too wide (mainly due to yarn usage... didn't do a nice job balancing that).

Current Impressions: I wore this a lot over the summer. The neckline is a bit too big, but worn the right way, it works (a deep neck tank top under, and not buttoned all the way up). So ended up better than I initially thought.

Final Thoughts: Perfect example of how things work out, even if they don't work out the way that you think they're going to.

Okay... weather is krappy today and I have a sweater to finish. Good day to stay in, drink some (or a lot) of coffee and knit.

Year in Review Part III

Matt's Aspinwall sweater isn't quite done (collar and final finishing to go). Holiday prep has slowed me down a bit, but I still hope to get it done today. Meanwhile... here's 2 more projects from the year.

Charade Socks


Quick summery: not a sock knitter. never will be a sock knitter.

First impression: actually enjoyed knitting these. the yarn colors are lovely and I liked the pattern a lot.

Current impression: very happy with them, and they are the most worn hand knit socks I've made.

Final thoughts: Still haven't converted to being a sock knitter, tho.

Hey Cara Mia:


Quick summery: a long sleeve version of the Hey Teach in a fave yarn

First impressions: loved it! the Cara Mia yarn is soft and warm. I love the pattern and was happy with the long sleeves.

Current impression: love it! The lace and the drape make this a "go to" sweater, especially if I need a "dressier" sweater. It is warm, so I don't ususally wear it with the mock turtleneck as pictured.

Final thoughts: I love that pattern, love the yarn, love the sweater.

So I think we can say that so far, 2009 has been pretty successful as far as projects go... stay tuned to see if that continues...

Year in Review continued

While I'll probably be interupting my YIR blogs with a new FO (I hope to have Matt's Aspinwall Pullover done today or tomorrow... zipper depending), let's look at two more projects I did this year.

Theresa's Central Park Hoodie


I can't do my usual summery on this, as it's with Theresa now. (and I never did get a great photo of it). I do know that I was pretty happy with it when it was done. The pattern was quick and easy and I do love the Kathmandu Aran. I know Theresa wears it, so we can assume that this was a successful project.

Summer Braids


Quick summery: second time I've used this pattern. Used Cabin Fever's "house yarn" (aka: Kraemer's Tatamy Tweed DK).

Initial Impressions: I wasn't thrilled when I finished this. I thought the yarn pilled a great deal when washed. My buttonbands are wavy (a pet peeve) and the sleeves are wider than I like (and maybe a smidge too short).

Current Impressions: I've worn this a couple of times, but I do want to fix the little issues that bother me. The buttonbands for sure and I would like to rip the sleeves back to make them more narrow. I'll do this for my Winter Olympics "Fix-It" marathon.

Final Thoughts: It still has the potential of being a favorite... just needs a little tweeking.

Okay, back to try to finish project #23 for the year. I'm hoping to get to the collar today (and that the zipper arrives).

Too Early for Year in Review?

eh, probably... but lots to go over this year (and I still have two projects to finish this year!).

I like to set goals for every year and this year I decided to try to finish more projects than the year before. I set the goal of 24 finished projects. That's two a month, which is a lot. I wanted to focus on sweaters and WIP's (which is one of the reasons I set the goal so high... I figured I would finish some older projects rather than starting a bunch of new).

Let's see how I did...

What I like to do with my year in review is to take each project, look at what I said about it when it was done, then give an update on how I feel about it after some time has passed (as that does change... and some times drastically). I'll include a photo of the project, plus a link to the blog post that gives the project stats.

First up...

The Penny Ribbi

Penny Ribbi
hmmmm... never did get a good photo of this one.

Quick summery: based on a half zip pullover I saw in a JC Penny flyer. Decided to not do the half zip, I loved the colors.

Initial impression: I was very happy with it. Loved the colors, loved the fit.

Current impression: a very favorite sweater. I do wish I had done the half zip, but the style and fit are wonderful. I wear this sweater a lot (and Matt loves it too... so that I now have yarn to make him one based on a half zip we saw in an other flyer. Stay tuned for that one!)

Final thoughts: a true winner. fun to knit, great to wear.


Next up:

Cassidy

Cassidy

Quick summery: a wonderful hooded cardigan by Chicknits (you'll see that a lot in this year's reveiw. I used a lot of Bonne Marie's patterns... and for good reason).

Initial impression: loved the fit, the color, the style. YUM

Current impression: love the fit, the color and the style. YUM! Yes, this was a true winner. I also wear this one a lot. Not much more to say except that I will make this again in totally different yarn.

Final thoughts: I. Love. This. Sweater.

So the year started out with a bang! Two fabulous sweaters that I am loving and wearing... think that will last?

Holiday Knitting... Really?

I got sucked into a sweater from the winter issue of Interweave Knits (okay, honestly, there are several that I'm totally ready to be sucked into). I thought the Aspinwall Pullover would be so nice for Matt. So I went stash diving and cast on.

If you notice, mine looks a wee bit differently... I stoped the half brioche stitch after 3" (the pattern does it up to the fair isle band). There are two reasons I made the change:

The half brioche stitch in the round is slow and annoying... it took me two days just to do those three inches and I want this done for Matt for Christmas.

Plus the stitch biases horribly when worked in the round (does that show in my photo?). I can't imagine how bad the bias would be if I had done the entire lower body in the stitch.

Here's my suggestion if you plan on doing this sweater: do the lower half flat, seam it, then work the rest of the sweater in the round as written. The half brioche stitch is easier to work flat (k2tog is easier than p2tog, at least for me) and it wouldn't bias.

However, I think this is fine (even if I do like the style of the original design better). The miles of st. st. went pretty quickly (okay, it wasn't miles... Matt isn't exactly long waisted) and the fair isle section was a great goal.


Today I'll get the first sleeve cast on (sadly the fair isle section is in the beginning... then it's miles of st. st. in the round again). I should have no problem getting this done in time for Christmas!