hourglass is pau

Okay okay, so I haven't blocked this sweater (b/c I don't have a spray bottle!  I need to find one someplace...) and I thought I didn't like the neckline...but um, I tried it on "backwards" and I like the way it fit that way much better!  Isn't that funny?  Now I have to remember that the sleeve with the thicker yarn goes on my right arm.  Should be easy enough!  (What went through my head immediately after typing this was: "thicker=bigger=stronger=more-dominant=right-handed=Iamabigknittinggeektobethinkingofthis!")

my mannequin shot

Things that I did differently on this sweater than the pattern called for...

• the two and a half extra hanks of yarn that were actually needed to knit the sweater
• a knitted hem was done on the bottom and cuffs of the sleeves (just wish I had finished the neck off this way as well) b/c I really hate weaving in the ends (hate it!  can't stand it!  it's the whole reason why my NBaT sits in a neat pile not seamed together...bah.)
• instead of a ssk opposite of the k2tog, a [sl1 knitwise, sl1 purlwise, twist & transfer back to the left needle and k2tog like usual] was done so it matched its mirror stitch better
• many more dec rows were done on the neckline.  I really think the larger sizes were not fully tested.  If I left it per the instructions, it would have fallen to my waist!
• Even though I followed the width for the 41", I followed the length proportions for the next size down (thanks Kristin for prompting me to post this part!)
• I pretended that I didn't mind weaving in ends and finished this sweater up in record time

For next time...

• knit a smaller size (I always do that, I see myself bigger than I am, I think...)
• even more decreases would be done to close up that gaping neckhole even more
• close up the arm(pit) holes early on, b/c waiting until the end leaves them all stretched out and weird, plus there's the added bonus of not having to deal with it later!

All in all, it was a fun project!  I would like to try it in a different kind of yarn...something a bit more drapey perhaps...though I'm loving the large size and comfy feel of the Cash Iroha and I'm still trying to come up with something to do with the extra hanks... ^_^

Comments

[Lolly]

It is so pretty on you! Thank you for all of your tips--I am going to cast on for this one soon. My friend and I are doing it together!

You could make a matching scarf with the leftover yarn? Come winter you might want that ;)

Looks great--wear it with great pride!

[christine]

Looks beautiful! Glad you are back :)

[Kristin]

I found you by googling 'hourglass knit sizing'. Thanks for the tips. This is going to be my first sweater, and I'm a little unsure on sizing, particularly as I'll be going for one of the larger sizes as well. Can I ask what size you ended up doing/what size you think you should have done? My chest is 43" and my LYS suggested knitting size 45", but I'm worried about it being too big/too small.

Yours looks beautiful!

[Zina]

The sweater is lovely. I can just imagine how soft it is. Is the thicker sleeve yarn from the same dyelot? That is strange that it is noticeable thicker, though not noticeable to anyone not wearing it, I'm sure. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person.
Are you back on caffeine and able to stay awake long enough to blog again?

[michele]

I love the sweater...very very pretty on you too. I bet it is so soft and comfy.

[Lynn]

I am knitting this sweater now in the same size and hope it turns out as great as yours. I am making the sleeves shorter than the pattern calls for and have heard a lot of people comment on the neck size. Yours looks great.