I held my breath a bit as I basted in the sleeve on the Calvin Klein cardigan. I really hoped this modification would work because I want to cross this project off my WIP list. And I was really pleased when I checked it in the mirror. Here it is in the harsh light of day (as I’m trying to instruct Ed on how to work the camera while modeling):
The sweater is very stretchy around the fronts and neck edge, and I think I’ll try swatching in sizes 2 and 3 needles to see which gives me a firmer finish before starting the front bands. The buttonholes will also be tricky because Cotton Fleece has no memory. The pattern calls for vertical buttonholes, and I’m not sure they’ll work—and so that will be the next obstacle to finishing. I’m hoping that YO buttonholes will look okay and fit my buttons because they will be the least likely to stretch out of shape over time. If I were starting this sweater now, I would have done the buttonbands differently. I certainly would have started them with the bottom ribbing to avoid a seam there. Or I would have knit the bands with the fronts. But this project is too far along to make such adjustments now. The sleeve should take me most of the week, so I have time to ponder these complexities.
Also half-done are my new socks.
If I have any spare time this coming week, I’ll try to finish sock #2. These are from the first pattern (four-stitch patterns) in Charlene Schurch’s Sensational Knitted Socks, and it is one of the alternative patterns at the end of that group of basic instructions.
Another reason for my eagerness to get to sleeve #2 and sock #2 is that my notes leave something to be desired in the way of clarity:
If I hurry up, I will remember most of what I’ve done. If these sit a while, they may return to WIP limbo.
I see actual sunshine - it does exist after all. I'm sorry to say that despite my very best intentions some of my knitting notes look just like yours. For big things that I know will take a long time I make copious notes and also record when I changed my mind. For small things I think I will remember what I've done. It sometimes works, if it never did then I'd stop doing it.
Posted by: Caroline M | April 19, 2008 at 02:42 PM
You truly are a renaissance woman. You knit, you model, you instruct photography classes. The sweater looks good; kudos for attacking so many WIPs.
Posted by: Judy G. | April 19, 2008 at 09:59 PM
All of the red is very, very, nice. I have never, ever knit anything red! I have that book and think that I will try that sock patter on my next pair. Happy knitting!
Posted by: Stephanie | April 19, 2008 at 10:46 PM
The sweater looks great. Love the color; love the cables.
I made a pullover from Cotton Fleece about two years ago, and it hasn't stretched at all, much to my surprise. I hope you will have the same good fortune.
Posted by: Wool Enough | April 20, 2008 at 12:28 AM
great work! I'm impressed with the sweater. I'm knitting socks from Charlene Schurch's book too. Yours look wonderful!
Posted by: Jeri | April 20, 2008 at 11:10 PM
That sleeve is going to fit perfectly! Looks great!
Posted by: robin | April 22, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Both your projects are looking great!
Posted by: tiennie | April 23, 2008 at 02:48 AM
The sweater is looking great! I had to laugh at your project notes; they look a lot like my scribbled pattern adjustments.
And I like the new blog look!
Posted by: Lorette | April 23, 2008 at 07:02 PM