Is this boy cute, or what? He cooks, too. And keeps my computer happy. A girl can't get much better than that.*
And he's wearing Fitzgerald. Is there any sight more fabulous than one's handsome husband dressed in a handmade sweater? A handmade striped sweater with more than two colors? (Okay, okay... he looks great in a tuxedo as well, but I have a much better chance of seeing him in a sweater on a semi-regular basis than I do of seeing him in a tux.) It was in this picture that I realize that a very magical knitting event had occurred with the sleeves and the front -- across the middle, the stripes actually match! Not sure how that happened, good karma perhaps, but I'm very pleased. (And no, this picture wasn't taken around Christmas, we just haven't taken down our tree yet... it's such a lovely tree and I'm not quite ready to part with it yet).
I hope this picture conveys one very important thing about this sweater -- it's a big sweater. This sweater is a medium and it is 50" around (supposedly for a guy with 40" shoulders). John's big in the shoulders, but not so big at the waist. I think the picture in the book is a little deceiving... I suspect that the sweater is clipped on the model see this post for a picture to make it seem a little more form fitting because even if the model is wearing a small, there's no way he's anywhere near 49" around. If John could change anything about he sweater, it would be to make it a little narrower around the middle. And to have each side of the neck opening match. (If you want to see a full on back perspective, click here for Fitzgerald from the Back).
From a pattern perspective, I didn't run into any problems at all from a technical perspective. But this is a pretty straight-foward drop-sleeve sweater. And I didn't need more than the specified amount of yarn. The thing that makes it special is the yarn (Noro Shinano, colorway #9) and the nice wide ribbed collar and neck opening. And the fact that a man will wear it.
I don't have much of a "what did I learn" for Fitzgerald, but here's what I did get out of this project:
- If you're going to knit a sweater for a guy, let him pick out the pattern and the yarn. Listen to him about what he wants. If he wants the stripes on the sleeves to match, make sure they do. Don't expect him to go beyond the color palette he's comfortable with. If it isn't a positive experience for him, he won't wear it. And worse, he probably won't want you to knit him another sweater ever again.
- Don't fuss over him too much and tell him how great it looks. Recognize that as the sweater maker your opinion doesn't count. The real test is the guys at work. The last thing he wants to hear from them is "Hey, did your wife make you that?" accompanied by that "you poor bastard" look. He just wants the sweater to pass for a normal (store bought) sweater.
- I have a lovely and patient husband.
- Shinano, like a lot of Noro yarns, does better after a bit of soaking. In this case, just cold blocking. It softened the pieces up a great deal. I like this yarn a lot more now that I am finished with the project than I did when I started with it.
- The edges of ribbed collars need to be blocked, otherwise they want to curve a little bit.
Like Butterfly, this is another great sweater if you're early on in your knitting career. Lots of stockinette, the collar is simple to pick up and knit and the assembly process is straightforward. This sweater could be made in almost any worsted weight yarn.
I have to leave you with one last picture of John and his sweater. Click here for a little different perspective on John. They just all like to be tough guys.
Now if only I could get him into multi-colored striped socks....
* it should also be noted that John is incredibly smart, funny, caring and good with people and animals, just so you don't all think I like him only for his superficial attributes. He's the real deal all around.
What a doll! I'm sure the sweater will pass the work test.
Unfortunately, I will not be making a man sweater any time soon, not even one as beautiful as that. My BF doesn't wear sweaters. Period. Not from a store, nothing. I've accepted the fact that trying to make him one would be an exercise in frustration, so he gets socks and gloves. I'm currently making him some fingerless video gaming gloves that I will duplicate stitch Nintendo sprites onto. They're way cute (manly, I mean manly).
Fab !
Great manly sweater,and he does look good in it.
He looks great in it. Beautiful job on the sweater!
It looks great! And I am sure that John really appreciates it. It suits him really well!
Another beautiful FO from a really talented knitter. John looks really good in the sweater, he's a born model! Love the sweater and color.
I saw your tree in the first picture and said, "they haven't taken down their tree!" One year ours was up until Valentines! Enjoy them, that's what they are for.
It looks great -- what a nice colorway for your hottie husband!
Awesome job! I think even my picky husband would like this one. Hard to find a "manly" enough sweater for him. Love it!
It's faboo! John appears to really like the sweater, since he consented to be photographed and talked about and all! :) Your tree is lovely!
You lucky knitting wife of a sweater-wearing husband.
Beautiful sweater. What stitch do you use to sew up your sweaters? They all look so neat when you are done with them.
That's a great sweater! Looks great on your John. I like the tough guy pose the best. Like Jessica, my husband doesn't wear sweaters at all because he runs hot but if he did, I'd want to knit him this one.
it looks wonderful! it looks like the man definately approves of it!
I love the sweater! It looks great on John. I'll be making this for my husband too, but I couldn't sell him on the stripes, not even in manly colors. I have some pretty boring yarn that he picked out for it - but you're right, it's up to him, so I'll knit all of the stockinette without the striping to make it interesting. :P
And he posed for pictures for your blog! What a guy. What a sweater!
It looks really really good on him. Very flattering. And I'm a total stranger that could just click away without saying a word. That tiny bit of color looks right on him because he is so fair. My brother is also very fair plus he shaves his head so he really needs some color. I should show him John's sweater. I think he might actually approve.
You've done it again! The Fitz sweater looks awesome on your husband. I'm glad that he is pleased with it because it looks really good on. Congratulations on finding a sweater that is manly and that your dh will wear!!
I can't let my husband see this, lest he insist on a sweater IN Addition to socks. Fabulous!
I've been lurking on your blog for a few weeks now and am always impressed with your FO's including Fitz! But I have a question - should I give my beautiful Silk Garden #82 armwarmers a cold soak to soften them up? This is my first time knitting with Noro and I am so in love with the yarn - I feel afraid to get them wet but am tempted to try, in case they can become even more perfect.
Don't have my own blog to share, but hopefully will someday...In the meantime I'll enjoy yours, thanks!
What a fabulous sweater. The guy is good too, especially for agreeing to pose so agreeably.
Good job!
Your husband looks lovely in that sweater. I have a lot of interesting yarns here I bought last fall in the far East so you have inspired me to see what would work in this pattern. Your yarn also stripes beautifully. Is it still made?