As I mentioned a few days ago, I've made lots of progress on the Swan Sweater over the last week or so. The body is finished, and because I thought the collar looked too small, I tried it on - without cutting the armhole steeks first. The collar looks nice, but the sweater looks pretty silly on me without anyplace to put my arms...
To deal with the neck steeks, I was originally planning to crochet a seam before cutting, since I don't have a proper sewing machine and am rather sewing machine-phobic anyway. But I couldn't figure out the best way to do that, so I ended up just backstitching a seam before cutting. I was slightly nervous about whether it would work, but it appears to be plenty secure and I've had no problem. It was sort of risky; while I thought I had read about people backstitching steeks before, I might imagined that. Anyway, it's all fine. (Isn't it wierd that I'm so cavalier about cutting steeks now?)
Meanwhile I've now made good headway on the first sleeve:
It's rather poofy. But I'm enjoying making the sleeve separately, rather than with the Fair Isle sweaters I've made in the past where you pick up stitches around the armhole and knit down to the cuff. In that case, as you work in the round you have to keep flipping the whole sweater over on your lap. I find it rather cumbersome. This way, I can try the it on as I go, and the sleeve is actually portable since I've got the pattern completely memorized. It's really enjoyable.
I love this sweater!
Love the swan straightjacket! ;)
Posted by: Stephanie | January 06, 2005 at 08:41 AM
Technically, it's a poncho! It looks fabulous!
Posted by: Mary Beth | January 06, 2005 at 08:49 AM
Great work on your fair isle! I have to muster up the nerve to start my PW.
Posted by: Lynette | January 06, 2005 at 09:37 AM
It's gorgeous!!
Posted by: Margene | January 06, 2005 at 02:02 PM
It's gobsmackingly beautiful but you do realize that you look like a Who from Whoville in this picture, don't you?
LOL at the concept of it being a poncho.
So much less work, you know?
You are Jack the Steeker!
xoxo Kay
Posted by: Kay | January 08, 2005 at 02:11 PM
I was only saying the same thing myself the other day, we need to start a new fashion theme, jumpers without sleeves to save on steeking (which I've never done in my life by the way) I may just wear my Poetry jumper like a sausage and not care what others think!
Posted by: Tracy | January 16, 2005 at 03:30 PM
WOW. I don't think I've ever seen that sweater in Blogland, until now. I ordered Norsk Strikkedesign for this design (well... and Carpathian Black Roses) and I'm delighted to see that the sweater really is that lovely in "real life." Can't wait to see the final result!
Posted by: Beth S. | January 21, 2005 at 12:52 PM
Ooo, ahhhh, so beautiful! Looks like a painting. Can't wait to see it finished, not that I don't like the cozy poncho look. :)
Posted by: Michelle | January 23, 2005 at 08:21 PM