Well let’s see…

I started this on October 27th of last year…8 months ago?  Since it’s me and since I know how ingrained and well established my tendency to procrastinate is, I’d say that anything less than a year was acceptable for getting this done.  Laudable, even :)  Still, there aren’t going to be any speed prizes here.  Bron, sweetie?  Your crown is safe :)

It’s finally done.  It is a bit big, but it will be fine for layering over things when colder weather returns.  In fact I wore it Wednesday when I went to lunch with my father because, at least here in the northern MA/southern NH area, the temperature never got out of the low 50s all day.

There are things I would do differently next time - like not make it so big?  Heheh…  Well, and while the kimono type sleeve was the best compromise I could make with the huge armscyes, they’re not all that wonderful.  Although I will say they don’t seem to get caught or tangled in things which I was afraid long loose sleeves would do.  Frankly, I don’t need the help :)  I don’t dislike the neck treatment, but that was done when I still thought I was going to be making the Licorice Whip and so doesn’t quite go with the rest of the sweater.  I knew then, when I discovered the funkiness with the pattern, that I should have just ripped everything out and started over again but I figured this was going to take me a long time to finish anyway and ripping it back would only prolong the agony fun :)

On the other hand, the tension is good and the stitches look nice and even.  The sleeves came out the right length - and both the same!  It was while working on this that I discovered how nice a purl bind-off looks and what a useful technique it can bee.  I now have a reasonable idea of how raglan shaping works and definitely like the top-down technique with one caveat…working sleeves in the round is a pain in the tuchus.  I think if I did this kind of style again, I’d be tempted to make it a little longer and maybe to add pockets…I like pockets :)  It doesn’t quite look “home-made” as opposed to “hand-made” and really, for a first knitted sweater, I feel that’s triumph enough!

Have a great weekend, everyone!