Bridging the Gap
Ah, the man sweater. Man sweaters are such a bittersweet experience. On one hand, I look forward, with great longing, to the day when I will finish a sweater for John that he will wear more than once a year. On the other hand, even plentiful stripey-ness that does not involve the weaving in of many little ends has a hard time making up for seemingly endless miles of stockinette. But I'm closing in on a sweater, my friends. I'm about 14 inches up the front of Fitzgerald -- only a little more than 2 inches before I get to start the armhole shaping and move onto the exciting V-neck part.
I think it was a stroke of genius on my part to finish the sleeves before working on the front piece. Now, even though it is a huge piece of fabric, I don't have the daunting thought of two identical large pieces of fabric to construct. Just the front and a collar, which, fortunately, is not of Butterfly-esque proportions.
Good thing for me there are whole bunch of "What Not to Wear"s (both TLC and BBC... I find myself strangely fascinated by this show -- it's something about the crossing of a train wreck with a Cinderella story that keeps me coming back, especially with the guys they find) recorded on my genuine imitation Comcast Tivo -- 'cause I'm really beginning to look foward to seeing my sweetie in his finished sweater. Which, hopefully, will not require any magic spells to bring it to a most fabulous and functional state.
That's a great looking sweater! I've asked Andy a few times if he'd like me to knit one for him. He says that he's happy with the scarf and gloves that I knit him last year and doesn't need a sweater. I should count myself lucky I suppose, because knitting miles of man sized stockinette does not appeal to me AT all! More sewn shirts are what he wants! :-) I admire your dedication and am sure John will want to wear Fitzgerald more than once.
Fitzgerald is really coming along. I am knitting it also- in what appears to me a very similar color! I also did the sleeves before the front. Yours looks good. I had a difficult time blocking the pieces. All that's left now is the putting together part. That will probably get done on Saturday. Good luck. I can't wait to see your finished sweater! You do beautiful work.
Yup. What Not To Wear. Good knitting show.
Happy New Year, Theresa - I'm looking forward to seeing a finished Fitzgerald.
Beautiful work. I like the way the striping is uniform. Have you ever knitted both sleeves at the same time? Does that help them go faster, or is demoralizing to have twice the number of stitches on needles?
I gave Hubbo a giant box of Rowan Donegal Tweed, which I promised would turn into a sweater for him this year. Fifteen years of marriage and I've never made a sweater for him! Love him, just haven't knitted for him.
Fitzgerald is beauteeful!
I still have 1.3 sleeves to go :(
>that does not involve the weaving in of many little ends
I despise that. Haaaaaate.
Which is why I am wholly enamored of the Russian join technique. I am using that in making my Classic Slant Cardigan (IK Fall 2004), and I love love love it. No more annoying ends to weave in!
(The person I got this from says that they have used this technique from thread up to about Aran weight, but that with bulky yarn it doesn't work as well)
If you weren't previously aware of this, I hope it helps!
Fitzgerald looks great!
Don't believe all you see/hear on What Not to Wear - friend of a friend faked it to get on the show for the $5000 wardrobe and actually got on!
i am also guilty of tivoing days of what not to wear and watching them all in a row while knitting. :) rock on!
Good-looking scarf too - I find alpaca just a bit scratchy too, so it's not just you. The exception is that glorious baby alpaca bulky stuff that costs beaucoup bucks, of course. Mmm, sssoffffffft.