giving in

I have been interested in knitting the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts for some time. Finally, prodded by my sister (who will also be knitting it), I decided to bite the bullet. I don’t know why, but I seem to have some fear of sweaters. Maybe it’s a fitting issue, but it seems (based on my various finished, and unfinished, projects) that I like mitts and socks knit on small needles. (Am I the last person in knit-land to make this sweater?!? Not really, since la soeur has not even started hers, but almost!)

I am knitting the sweater in Malabrigo (colour: Bobby Blue). It is, as I expected, soft and really nice to knit with. Not so great with the Denise’s, as it doesn’t move well along the cable on its own.

Always interested in trying new techniques, I decided to knit the hem up as I went, rather than sewing it in at the end. I looked at two tutorials, and went ahead with it. I used LOTS of stitch markers, both in casting on, and in picking up the cast on edge, because I was worried about having the same number of stitches on both sides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

picking up the cast-on

Picking up the cast on edge was not too bad, as there was a lovely purl stitch that was easy to find.

purl stitches highlighted in pink

I think the slowest part was knitting the hem facing to the body of the sweater – it was basically like doing a three-needle bind-off (without binding off, duh), and the yarn just did not want to move along the needles. The result, however, was totally worth it. Also worth it: knowing that I do not have to sew 172 stitches together when I am finished.

the hem

I am now onto miles of stockinette. I’ve just finished all of the decrease rounds. It is slow and steady, more due to my lack of knitting time than anything else. I cast on just last week, though, so I’m happy with what I’ve managed in 7 days.

best colour shot