Christmas Part Two
If you're newer to reading my blog (meaning, within the past 8 months or so) you may not even recognize this sweater. It's my oldest UFO.
I cast on for this on January 1, 2004 -- almost 2 years ago. I have a history of working on this sweater in fits. I'll pick it up for a few weeks and finish a piece, then leave it be for 10 months. I'm not sure why, it just isn't able to keep my constant attention.
On Friday I decided I should finish it for Christmas. All that's left are 2 sleeves, a neckband, and the seaming. The front and back have already been blocked (that explains why the body looks so different from the sleeve I propped on top of it.
I'm trying something new and doing 2 sleeves at once. So far I like it. My biggest beef with doing 2 at once is dealing with the extra ends, but I stuck both balls in a ziploc to keep them from rolling around each other and that's made all the difference. Each time I finish a row I give the bag a half-turn and it's completely detangled.
You may notice the sleeve has a bit of navy at the bottom of it. That's the way the pattern was written but I wasn't sure I wanted to do it. Now that it's done I'm really glad I did. The Araucania looks so nice with the added color in there at the bottom. It even got me thinking that striping Araucania for another sweater would be really nice. For now though my focus is on finishing this sweater.
Where have I been?
End of year is my work's most busy time -- leaving me almost no knitting time during the week. Since I'm not fond of those "I'm here but really busy" posts you'll only see a few more posts from me until the 20th (my last day of work for the year!). I am here though (and I'm fine) -- just busy and trying to tie up all those loose ends so I can take time off without worrying too much about what's going on while I'm off.
It looks gorgeous and the yarn is perfect! Beautiful work :)
This year you will finish the sweater, just as I will finish one I started over a year ago that also needs sleeves, placket and sewing up! Ok it might be into 2006 until it's done but I'll still finish it soon.
wow that is a gorgeous looking sweater to be. i'm working on a cable sweater now as well. you need to get in the mood to knit those things!!
The cables look amazing in that Araucania. I love the two colors you put together, too.
That's simply beautiful...I am really loving the two subtly blended shades of Auracania with the cables...wowsa. What pattern is that? I tried looking for it in your archives but couldn't find it.
I LOVE doing 2 sleeves at once. I saw the light about 15 years ago and have never looked back.
Your sweater is lovely. And a few year old UFO? Don't feel bad....my oldest is 13 years on. And the yarn is discontinued, and oh yeah- I don't have enough!
How pretty! I really think the two colors, and the slightly variegated nature of this yarn gives the sweater such a beautiful touch. I love Araucania wool!
You should definitively finish that sweater, it is simply gorgeous ! Araucania has such a beautiful and subtle colour variation, I love it.
I really like that sweater, you should definately finish it. I know what its like though, everyone has one of those UFO's.
Will miss your posts, until the 20th!
I really enjoy your posts. I really am enjoying knitting the natalya gauntlets.... but have a questions - as I begin the gusset - what does the "pm" mean in K1, pm, increase 1 using the backward loop method, pm, K1, etc....
Thanks
Karin
Go for it! It looks great!
I love that sweater! It will be gorgous when it is done!
Those color bands are very pretty, good luck with finding time to knit among all the other things going on at work.
I'm digging that cable! Finish it! Get it out of your hair! You can do it!
Oh, that sweater is lovely. Looks perfect in Araucania.
Beautiful cables!
I've got a few projects that are that old. It's become my New Year's resolution to finish them up in 2006. LOL! Your sweater is coming along nicely though. I do like the touch of blue at the end of the sleeve.