I did it!

I reached my goal of finishing the front before Chris comes home...literally a few hours before, but none the less the front is cast off and I can start on the sleeves now!

Drops

Personally, I think this is the next one I'll be attempting. Drops 117-13.

New Sweater Love

I have fallen in love with another drops jacket design - it is here.

If you hadn't noticed, on their pattern drop down - they have a list of extra patterns. So far most are available only in British, rather than American (for those who care) and several a quite nice.

My dream list keeps growing. Now how can I possibly wear all these sweaters?

I have the first cable repeat on the front done. It's slower going for sure but I should have it done for Christmas.

10 More inches to go on the front! I am getting there...slooooowly. This has been the longest sweater I have knit...not from start to finish, but in hours..it just won't move...never again will I make a ribbed sweater....
However, I really REALLY think Chris will love it! I am determined to get the front finished this week!

Clear as Mud

I'm making progress on sweater for hubby. I figured if I started with the back and all that stockinette, I'll make progress quickly and won't want to put it down when a more interesting project presents itself. I had the ribbing done, and about two inches of the body when I decided to read more of the instructions. The increase instructions weren't all that clear, so I ripped back, did things my way and knit happily along about halfway up the back. The "as on front" was making me cranky because I wasn't following instructions; I was on the back instead of the front. I am now certain, without even a shadow of doubt that if I had just done as instructed, I would not be in this mess now. I am not clever. Do not mock me. I realize now that you should not skim through patterns, you should totally and absolutely read them in their entirety and not smirk or call the pattern rubbish until you have done so (not as I have done). What it comes down to, now that I have read every word of this pattern, is that I should have increased on the sides at specified points ("as on front"), and not evenly in the first stockinette row. Small dilemma: to rip and increase properly, as instructed, or let bygones be bygones and carry on?

My plan for now is to (don't laugh or mock me, please) cast on the front and follow the instructions to the letter. I specifically went out today and bought a set of 6mm needles so I could do this. Once I get to the same point on the front as I am on the back I can decide if ripping back will be absolutely necessary or if I'll be able to join the sides without everything looking wonky. (Another good example why patterns written for circular needles are far superior, but that is not the point here.)

Note: this sweater is not a secret anymore. My darling daughter spilled the beans yesterday. I still love her.

All but the hood!

I finally finished sewing the sleeves in on my CPH - and picked up for the hood. I can feel the finish line close at hand!! How is everyone else doing on their fall sweaters?

Cast On

This is what I'm working on. Drops 85-6. Shockingly enough, I got gauge on the first try using a strand of Briggs & Little Heritage and a strand of Patons Classic Wool to give me the 13 stitches to 4" on 6mm needles. I decided to knit this sweater in pieces as written to make this project more portable. I wonder what the odds are that I will be able to get this done for Christmas?

BTW, I've decided to take part in Pay it Forward again this year. If you would, too, drop by my place. I still have 3 spots open.