Knitting in pink

My first sweater is finished. Done. And it fits. That really is the best part. Even after soaking it. It still fit.

I finished it at midnight the evening before the Connecticut Sheep and Wool festival. I really wanted to wear it that day and was ready to stay up all night until it was done. Thankfully it didn't take all night and I was able to sleep some before heading out to Connecticut on a beautiful sunny morning.

All in all it took me 2 months and a day to finish it. But while I was knitting it I went on vacation for a week and knit 2 and half pairs of socks. So it probably could have taken me 1 month if I had been monogamous. But I just can't do that! lol!

Here is a fun collage of my Hourglass from its earlier stages to the FO status. As always you can click on the picture to see it bigger.



My thoughts on the sweater now that it is completed:
It was my first full sized garment and I am quite happy with the pattern I chose as it was fairly simple and easy to follow. The stockinette wasn't boring, especially when knitting the small size. I managed to customize the length and width of the sleeves to fit me better and the results are pleasing. I ended up not adding more decreases in the neck area as I felt it fit fine when I tried it on prior to the turning round. I noticed though that the neck post block is a little bit wider than pre soak/block. But it still fits fine and is quite cute with a tank top underneath. The only thing I wasn't sure about was how the raglan fit. It felt a little small at the armpits, although it was still comfortable. Post soak the armhole stretched out a bit and is more comfortable. The yarn I used (Classic Elite Skye Tweed) was a good choice. I got gauge right away with the recommended needle size and it was easy to knit with. There were some really thin parts to the yarn but only in a couple balls. Overall it was a good match pattern/yarn.

Final Stats:
Started on February 26 and finished April 27.
Yarn: Classic Elite Skye Tweed. I used about 7 and a half balls out of the 10 I bought.
Pattern: Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Mods: Shorter sleeves started on smaller stitch count. I didn't seam the hems after finishing but picked up the stitches as I knit.

Spring is coming, slowly and Project Spectrum for April/May has begun. It is time to celebrate all pinks, yellows and greens.

Click on the picture to make it bigger

Enjoy!

I had fun making a mosaic of all the neutrals that I have in my stash. As you can see some of the neutrals have some other colors with them, some pinks, some greens, some blues but definitely mostly brown. Some of these projects will be done this month, but some others will have to wait for me to get to them. Most of them are Christmas gift so I have time before they are needed.

From top left, clockwise:
Mate for my first Jaywalker, black and brown Zitron to make a hat, 2 pairs of socks, basketweave scarf, brown and pink yarn for a woven knit scarf and finally black and grey Zitron for matching hat and scarf for DH.

I am hoping to make the second Jaywalker and finish the basketweave scarf as my two Project Spectrum projects.

I am also working on my first Magic Loop socks, so far so good, I really enjoy it and do not want to go back to dpns. The porcupine look while trying the sock on is over, from now on only a convenient cable will circle my ankle/foot.


For these socks I am using Cascade Fixation on a size 6 40" circular and I am loving it. I dont think I've ever knit a sock this fast. I still have to learn how to arrange my stitches for the picking up of the stitches but after that I will be good to make all my socks that way! Yay!