timing

I finally, finally, finally finished my hourglass-esque sweater... yes, right in time for summer in LA.  Timing is an art, people.  I hadn't picked up the thing in months, and all I needed to do was sew the hems, graft under the arms, and weave in the ends!  I used a silk/cotton blend (Jaeger Trinity), so I'm sure I'll get to use it soon on a cool night at the movies.  Finishing a sweater makes me remember why I rarely post pictures of myself on this blog; the only photos I end up liking are the ones where I look vaguely annoyed.  I wonder why that is?  I'm usually very cheery, actually... at least, I think I am!

See what I mean?  I look just a little irritated in that pic.  I wasn't really; Jacob was very sweet and efficient! 

My very favorite thing about this sweater is the long, long sleeves.  I'm tall (5'9") and have long arms even for my height.  Shirts are never long enough for me.  Since the yarn I wanted to use for the Hourglass Sweater had a gauge far too small to actually use the pattern, I just did my own thing but used the style details from the sweater in Last Minute Knitted Gifts... but with extra-long arms.  Your basic knit-in-the-round raglan, with waist shaping, folded hems, a wide neck.  Simple, simple sweater.  The yarn is softer against my skin than I thought it would be.  Just a wearable, throw-it-on-everyday kind of knit.

I'm finishing up a blanket for my niece, as well.  The blanket is a big circle worked in Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton, and I played around with some different bind-offs before I settled on a simple picot crochet edge.  I worked the edge as I bound off (crocheting into the live stitches), and I took some pictures to post a tutorial.  The look is just what I wanted:  a solid bind-off without extra bulk from the crochet.

This blanket still needs a backing, some lace trim, woven ribbon, a little embroidered patchwork... details, details!

Comments

[gina]

Love the colors of your blanket. And the hourglas sweater looks terrific too.

[Nonnahs]

The sweater looks great on you! Sleeves are ALWAYS long on me (which I just expect now and have come to love) - I never think of people facing the opposite challenge. ;) I can't wait to see more of the blanket- I LOVE Blue Sky Organic Cotton!

[Leah]

The sweater, and the blanket for that matter, look just fabulous!

And I don't think you look annoyed at all.

[Jessica]

Great job on the hourglass! I love that pattern--have made 2 (one of them in BS Organic Cotton, incidentally). The blanket is so beautiful, I love the look of all the natural colors together.
And you look lovely in your photos--more mysterious/sultry than annoyed!

[Julia]

She knits! I am so excited! The hourglass looks great. If you want, I can try to capture the elusive MH in a photograph - I'm good at that sort of thing. The blanket edging is lovely, too. Let's get together again soon. I want to see your FOs and show you my stuff for Kat, which is AWESOME. xox,

[Marnie]

I don't know, I think you look fetching and the sweater looks great too. :)

[angel]

I know what you mean about timing....like, why am I so enamored with making socks all of a sudden when it's so typical East Coast Summer right now: HHH - Hazy, Hot, Humid?? Oh well, we creative types can never really predict inspiration. I think you look divine. The sleeves are perfect, love the colors of both the sweater and the blanket and I really like the edging on the blanket! Keep us posted on the details ....

ANGEL

[Nicole]

That blanket is gorgeous! I love the colors! Very nice choices.

[Theresa]

Annoyed or not, the sweater looks great. Very flattering.

[mary]

Love the blanket. Great colors and I love the edge detail.