it's done!

I'm not sure what happened-- lots of other knitting distractions, I guess-- but after 5 months, my Forecast is done. More or less. It's a little short, so I am planning to add as much as a can to the bottom hem.
I'm nearly out of yarn (Cascade 220, so I can't do much. Anyway, I'm thrilled with how it turned out. More photos and description on my blog.

After 2 Years: Finished

After two years (nearly to the week), I've finished my Forecast!



Specs:

Started: 11th February 2006 for the Knitting Olympics (remember those?)
Finished: 7th February 2008
Pattern: Forecast, by Stefanie Japel (Knitty, Winter 2005)
Yarn: Peace Fleece Worsted in Samantha-Katya Pink (this is my favourite yarn colour, ever. Read the story here.)
Needles: Size 8 and 9 Denise
Modifications: I worked 3-stitch bobbles instead of 5- and worked the sleeve ribbing from the elbows. Out of concern the armholes were a little too small, I crocheted a wee underarm gusset during seaming. I sewed the arms until about an inch remained, then I crocheted around the remaining opening and sewed it closed. I'm not convinced it was necessary, but there's the perfect amount of room in the pits.



This sweater involved a multitude of firsts for me. I had never cabled before (and haven't since, actually, though I plan to in a scarf I'm making for the man). I had never knitted bobbles before (and am now convinced bobble knitters are insane. Knitted bobbles flout the laws of all that is good about knitting. I'm tempted to make a t-shirt that says: Bobble knitters, crocheting will change your life). I'd never made a cardigan before, nor had I (consequently) ever knitted buttonholes. Again, crocheters have it made with buttonholes, though knitted ones flout no laws. Mine came out fine, but a little loose. I hear this is a drawback to the backward loop cast on. I'll likely sew the holes a bit to make them tighter. Lots of firsts.



The sweater fits pretty much perfectly. I prefer my sleeves a bit longer; the next time I wash it I might try to stretch them a bit in blocking. The collar is huge. This is a good lesson: Even if the pattern calls for starting with the collar, I will knit it last. I'm no longer intimidated by picking up stitches (the button bands beat that out of me, at long last), so this will be no problem. Yes, I feel myself growing as a knitter, becoming more comfortable modifying patterns (my knitting self and crocheting self at times seem like two different people). I can't say I anticipate I'll wear this sweater too much; a looser-fitting cardigan is more my thing. But I love this sweater mostly for having made it at all. Oh, yes. It is love.



Peace, man.



[x-posted on my blog]

Finished!

It only took a YEAR...but I found out I was pregnant, so I put it away, since I wasn't sure what would happen to my figure...especially in the bust dept. Luckily, I was able to pick up where I left off without too much trouble. I opted for a 3-stitch boble, starting ribbibg at the elbows,and adding some length to the body. The yarn is some Lion Brand Wool-Ease with little flecks of color--my mom gave it to me, and I don't think they make it anymore. I'd like to make this again in a yarn that breathes a little more--I get pretty hot wearing this sweater!

Since that picture doesn't show much detail, here's a shot of the back--my favorite part!
Good luck to everyone else working on this project!

inching along

Since it's the holiday season, and I'm making this for myself (ie low priority) this project has taken the back burner. I am making some progress however, and I thought I'd share some photos. I'm nearly done with the body, which I'm making a little longer than the pattern requires. Just a few more inches of ribbing!
I've tried it on and though it seems really stretchy I'm afraid that it'll be too small. I think I'll have to make the button band extra wide so the fronts will close. Has anyone else done this? I don't want the bands to take over the sweater, but it does need to be functional.

the beginnings of a Forecast

Hello!

I'm a little late to the game, but I just discovered Forecast and I've just started knitting it. I'm planning on using the usual alterations (ending the cables at the elbow, 3 stitch bobbles) and I'm aiming for a 34" chest. The yarn I'm using is Cascade 220 Heathers. It's the first time I've used it and so far I'm liking it. (I'm really liking the color.)

Here's a photo of how it's going:

Torso Time!

Well I can check that off my list of to-do's!