Smelting, cont'd.

The finished sweater and some scarves -- Mr. GAIN's cousin was a knit-a-holic for a while, and produced scarves and soap socks, complete with soap, for all her cousins and cousins-in-law this year. She kicked some serious smelting butt and made us proud.

Sweater is finished

"Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh what a beautiful day,
I've got a wonderful feeling,
Everything's going my way."

I finished the sweater. Just like the saying goes, I found dark yarn difficult to seam. The Homespun texture didn't bother my efforts much. My youngest tried on the sweater and says that it is warm. The raglan sleeves ensure the garment's fit for a couple years. They can be rolled up. Length can always be added on to the bodice. 26 more days until I gift it....

Focus, focus

Almost done with the sweater made of Lion Brand Homespun. My challenge with this project is staying focused long enough to get something done. I got most of the hood knitted last night while watching Moulin Rouge. I sewed the sleeves on, but will I ever seam up the sides? The shoulder and hood seams were done with a three needle bind off. I love the three needle bind off because the finish is great and I don't have to work hard at finding a place to run my needle. With this sweater, the length of body and sleeve were measured with the tape measure, not by the number of rows I worked. So there is imprecision, therefore, no three needle bind off. And the length would prevent me from using needles. At least the needles I currently own.

The sweater

I figured out the sleeves, so here are two pictures! I will say that I like to stick to small items for kids because of cost and time constraints. I do not like being stuck in boring stockinette land (or garter stitch land) for very long. My time is more valuable than that right now. I need changes -- cables (very in right now), ribbing, and increases and decreases for shaping. The top photo shows the yarn, Lion Homespun. My older son chose the color. You will also see the front and back (my first three needle bind-off) and one and a half sleeves.

This will be a hooded sweater a la Lion Brand. I've been upset with my nearest local yarn store (LYS), so I've jumped to Hancock Fabrics for yarn and patterns. I don't love Hancock enough to give it a hyperlink, though. Anymore, it feels like a KMart. Ick. Who made that decision? I give it a thumbs down.

I will probaby stop acting like a spoiled brat and drive a couple extra miles to the next nearest LYS next time I need supplies. Like this week. My oldest daughter has been waiting and waiting for me to get her started on an adaptation of fetching -- but I can't spare her the circular row counter that I'll be using for a couple more projects. You may remember my version of fetching, and my younger daughter's version of fetching. We'll be one fetching group of girls! I feel a group photo in our future.

I will probably get some crafty kids' photos up later this week -- pumpkin carving! They look might kick-ass this evening on our porch.