November 7, 2015

Swatching with the pattern’s recommended US 7 and again on US 5 (following other ravelry users notes)

Matched gauge using US 5 needles with 5 st. per inch and 7 rows per inch. (20 st. and 28 rows = 4”)

side note: on US 7s I got a gauge of 4 st. per inch -- close, but no cigar.

another side note: as always, I cast on and off with a needle two sizes up from main body work.

This video from Maria (mmontzka) was very helpful for figuring out my sizing, gauge, and how much positive ease I wanted.

November 21, 2015

Almost to the point of setting the body aside to work on the sleeves.

November 24, 2015

First sleeve is done and casting on for the second one tonight. I’m knitting the sleeves to 19”.

November 29, 2015

Joined the sleeves to the body and began the three decrease sections: Center Front, Yoke, and Sleeves

I’m not completely sure of why the yoke (fronts and back) and sleeves (raglan) work is separated the way it is in the pattern since it looks as though you’re doing the same thing at the same markers; ssk and k2tog…I mean I know they’re at different rates/amounts, but wouldn’t you just go with the larger number? Whatever, I’m obviously missing something. I’m just jumping in and following the pattern exactly as she has it laid out, so I guess we’ll see how it plays out. Just in case I put in a lifeline after I joined the sleeves. This is a lot of work, so you can’t be too careful.

December 3, 2015

Just started into my 10th ball of yarn. I’m approximately 1/3 into my yoke/raglan/center-front decreases. I really hope I have enough to finish this project without having to purchase more yarn. This sweater is mercilessly eating up skeins much quicker than I would have thought. fingers crossed

December 7, 2015

I had to pull it back to before the separation of intervals in working the fronts/back and sleeves. I figured out where I went wrong and I’m back to the point of working the separate intervals of decreases. As it stands right now (for beginning the dec. every row 12 times) my st. # are: Fronts - 16 each, Sleeves - 20 each, and Back - 58 :::::: This calculates out to match the pattern’s final # after all decreases. SQUEE! :D

Also, I’m just about to break into my 11th ball of yarn. Leaving me with two full skeins for the button band and pockets. I’m feeling pretty confident at this point that this will be enough. Phew!

9:40 pm : BO the body. Plan to block tomorrow and start work on pockets while I wait. I have 43 g left of a caked skein and two full 50 g caked skeins left after main body work.

December 12, 2015

Completed both pockets but I’m waiting until the very end to add them.
Seamed the sleeves and underarms. I used a mattress stitch for the sleeves and this video tutorial for the underarm seams. Why was I ever afraid of seaming? Easy-peasy lemon-squeezy. :)

I’ll be picking up and knitting the button band while I’m waiting for my buttons to come in the post. Getting close now. I’ll be SO excited to finally be able to wear this.

December 15, 2015

Bound off button band using a 3 st. I-cord edging using this video tutorial. Fits perfectly. Still waiting on buttons to come in. Planning to sew the pockets on tomorrow using this video tutorial. I’ll probably give the button band a steaming as well since I’ve already blocked the main body already.

I started with 13 skeins at 50 g each and was left with 65 g of yarn when project was completed.

December 16, 2015

The wooden Black Walnut buttons (from Wooly Moss Roots ) came in the post today and I just finished sewing them on tonight. The sweater fits me very well and is SO warm and cozy. Hurrah!!

December 23, 2015

Well, it’s been a week since I finished this sweater and I’ve worn it almost every day nonstop. It just keeps getting cozier and cozier and I fall more in love with it every time I put it on. The pilling has been very minimal too considering how much and often I’ve worn it. I’m over-the-moon happy with it. :)