Finally!
I FINISHED THE SWEATER. And here is the proof:
That Jacob, he's so hot right now.
Jacob, being the good model that he is, gave me lots of poses to choose from:
The Thinking Pose.
The Back Shot.
The Jacob-is-laughing-because-he's-doing-all-these-cheesy-poses shot.
YAY! I'm so glad it's finished. I really love the way it looks, and I think he'll wear it, if it gets colder up in here.
I ended up picking up stitches for the collar. Per Jenny's advice, I bound off the ribbing using a needle two sizes bigger that what I knitted the ribbing with, and it gave the collar just the right amount of stretch. It was still a little bit too wide for him, so I did a small amount of tweaking to the collar after I bound it off... don't ask... I managed to pull it in a little though.
This is the first big sweater in pieces that I've ever knit. Every other sweater I've made has been in the round, because I hate seaming and finishing. I've overcome some obstacles with this project, including:
*My fear of seaming, at least mattress stitching: Now I feel like I know what I'm doing. And it actually looks pretty good too. Woot!
*My fear of sweater pieces: If you do it right, it actually all fits together like a puzzle. Who knew?
*The sweater curse: So far, so good. He's giving it back if we break up. (Just kidding, Jacob. :) Jacob has been a really good sport about the sweater, considering that it was a Christmas present, and it's February, and also I made him try it on ALL THE TIME. )
*Phildar pattern confusion: I think I finally understand how the patterns are written out. They're still a little crazy, but I actually can follow one well now. Thanks for HEJ and Skinny Rabbit Becky for all their help with that!
I'm really glad it turned out well, and I'm also glad it's over so I can move onto something else big ... maybe for me? I've been eyeing the ChicKnits ribby cardi lately...or maybe just a top down raglan with some modifications for fun? We'll see. I still have my Half Clappy to finish and a half knitted sock in my purse. But with all my new finishing skills, I want to rock something BIG. Oh yeah.
Thanks to all my knitting girls for all their encouragement during the Sweater That Would Not Be Finished. It is done! YAY!!!!
Comments (59)
Congrats on a great looking sweater on a perfect model. He's lovin' every minute of it!
Posted by Eilene | February 25, 2005 6:35 PM
Woo Hoo! We;ll done, its looks great. Oh - and Brooke STILL thinks Jacob looks like Justin Timberlake, too funny!!
Posted by kerrie | February 25, 2005 1:06 PM
Now THAT is some bitchin' stitchin'.
Posted by Colleen | February 24, 2005 5:51 PM
What a great finished product! That combo of light grey and black looks really great with the sweater put together and the bottom of the sweater (without that traditional stretchy stretchy ribbing) gives it a very nice drape. Congrats on your hard work and on taking on the challenge and trying a new knitting adventure.
Posted by Lauren In Albuquerque | February 24, 2005 2:29 AM
you go girl! that's friggin' awesome! Looks great :)
Posted by erika | February 23, 2005 11:31 PM
Cute model! I'm glad you finished the sweater!
Posted by Grace | February 23, 2005 5:39 PM
Yeah!! It looks so great!! And Jacob is the perfect model!
Posted by DC Jenny | February 23, 2005 11:54 AM
The sweater turned out so well, and I'm not a bit surprised. Your boyfriend is so funny. A great model deserves a great sweater!
Posted by alison | February 23, 2005 11:33 AM
It's gorgeous! I'm glad the collar worked out. And you, my dear, are one high class fashion photographer!
Posted by Anne Marie | February 23, 2005 9:00 AM
It looks FABULOUS, doll. Great job. I love how feraking happy he looks in it!
Posted by Rachael | February 23, 2005 6:44 AM
Good job Carrie! Way to overcome those fears!!
Posted by molly | February 23, 2005 5:38 AM
The sweater looks great! I'm very proud of you :)
I've been meaning to ask you something for a while, but I kept forgetting: The top down raglan from Glampyre. I think you said you made one that was more of a boat-neck. How did you do that exactly?
Posted by stacey | February 23, 2005 12:31 AM
LOVE the Zoolander caption! I love the sweater too. I would really like to do a big sweater just like that. I searched your archives, but couldnt find reference to the pattern. Could you let me know where you got the pattern, of if it is for sale. Thank You
Posted by Glenda | February 22, 2005 5:43 PM
Great sweater on a great guy! Congrats on getting over your seaming fears. Mattress stitch is your v. best friend when it comes to seaming. It looks so good on him.
Posted by MJ Yummy Yarn | February 22, 2005 5:02 PM
It's AWESOME! Jacob is such a lucky guy. Not just because of the sweater, of course, but that is the point of the post. It looks like it fits him perfectly, so all your stressing about the confusing pattern and the seaming was worth it. Now you have to make something just as nice and perfect for YOU!
Posted by J Strizzy | February 22, 2005 3:27 PM
Looks great -- and glad it's encouraged you towards other "big" sweater projects!!! WOo-hoO!!!
Posted by Eklectika | February 22, 2005 3:27 PM
wowa, this is your 43rd comment! Nice job on Jacobs sweater! I bet he is so proud to wear it! All the hard work involved, it's fantastic! It was really great to see you the other night! Hopefully you will be seeing more of me in that town!
Posted by Camille | February 22, 2005 3:11 PM
CONGRATULATIONS! it looks fab.
Posted by joy | February 22, 2005 2:57 PM
Yea! It looks fabulous!
Congrats!
Posted by elizabeth | February 22, 2005 1:23 PM
Crafty schmoo ~
I want to ask you something can you email me at mommastump16@aol.com.
Betsy
BTW - wicked cool sweater for Jacob!!! He is a lucky man........
Posted by Betsy | February 22, 2005 1:01 PM
What? You mean you didn't make him do the Rachael or the Whack Rabbit Dance? The sweater looks great :)
Posted by cari | February 22, 2005 12:19 PM
Good job! You're on your way to finishing a long line of sweaters, all seamed and pretty, I'm sure.
Posted by Maya | February 22, 2005 10:58 AM
Yay! It looks fabulous, not to mention all the fun poses. Aren't you 2 the cutest? Aww!
Posted by Giao | February 22, 2005 10:50 AM
Love. It. The sweater is to die for Darling, but the best part of the post? "That Jacob, he's so hot right now.'
Zoolander fan?
Posted by Stephanie | February 22, 2005 9:27 AM
hooray! that sweater looks terrific. it's actually the same pattern i have on reserve for my guy - though i'm not as brave as you and refuse to knit it for him till we're engaged. :)
Posted by melissa j | February 22, 2005 9:23 AM
fab sweater. great photos!
well done!
Posted by froggy | February 22, 2005 8:02 AM
The sweater is beautiful and looks wonderful on your handsome guy!
Posted by Wendy | February 22, 2005 7:18 AM
You rocked that sweater, girl!!! Awesome. So proud of my carrieoke.
Mwaaah!!!!
Posted by Valerie | February 22, 2005 6:21 AM
It looks GREAT! Carrie, I'm so proud of you and this rockin' sweater you've knit. You're not afraid to tackle new things and like to accept a good knitting challenge. Keep those fab knits coming!!!
xoxoxo,
Becky
Posted by Becky | February 22, 2005 4:16 AM
The sweater is amazing. I've said it before and I'll say it again: you are the goddess of the thread! And Jacob is so damned cute! I love the laughing picture! Adorable!!
Posted by Deana | February 22, 2005 2:46 AM
great job girl. :)
turned out poi-fect.
did you get the email i sent you with the xls file?
Posted by carolyn | February 22, 2005 12:27 AM
Congrats on the handsome sweater! Woo hoo!
Posted by Rossana | February 21, 2005 11:36 PM
A great lookin' sweater for a great lookin' guy! Way to go, girl!
Posted by kelly | February 21, 2005 11:31 PM
You broke the 'sweaterfortheboyfriendbreakup' Curse! Go Carrie! Looks great on your handsome devil too :)
Posted by amy | February 21, 2005 10:30 PM
What a fabulous sweater! And such a great model, too. Seriously, I think it's cool when men actually appreciate the sweaters that are knitted for them (or at least seem to)...
Well done!
Posted by Sarah W. | February 21, 2005 10:29 PM
Congratulations! That looks absolutely wonderful - good job!!
Posted by laurel | February 21, 2005 8:55 PM
Congrats!!! Ah, accomplishment! Let's all have a drink!
Posted by Christie | February 21, 2005 8:13 PM
Love the sweater...love the poses...he looks like a happy man in his new sweater! Knit with love! You are a crafty lil schmoo!
Posted by heather | February 21, 2005 8:00 PM
gorgeous sweater girl! you rock! it's a great pattern and the color choices are perfect for a guy. i can't wait to see what you cook up next.
Posted by gleek | February 21, 2005 7:05 PM
The sweater looks great on my handsome son! You are very talented!
Posted by Annette | February 21, 2005 6:54 PM
Grinning at all the photos (and their titles). The sweater looks great!
Posted by Deb | February 21, 2005 5:49 PM
Yay for you for finishing such a gorgeous sweater, and yay for Jacob for looking so sassy in it.
Posted by susan | February 21, 2005 4:58 PM
YOU DID IT YOU DID IT YOU DID IT!!!!
The collar turned out great, and the fit is really good on Jacob. What a schmoo for doing all the pictures. So proud of you! You can make anything now!
Posted by admiral jenny | February 21, 2005 4:42 PM
Awesome!!!!!! It looks fabulous on him!! And yay for such a sweet boy willing to pose for your blog! You deserve a nice dinner out with champagne!! You can tell him i said that... ;-)
Posted by gaile | February 21, 2005 4:26 PM
WOW! I am SO PROUD OF YOU!!! That looks REALLY good!!! YAAAAAAAY!
Posted by Lara | February 21, 2005 4:23 PM
The sweater looks terrific -- I'm even tempted to try to entice my husband into letting me knit it for him (so far, he's refused all offers of sweaters -- although he loves his self-patterning socks).
The other thing I loved was the Zoolander reference (that jacob, he's so hot right now) -- my husband and I quote Zoolander all the time.
Congrats!
Posted by Alison A. | February 21, 2005 4:17 PM
The sweater looks awesome! I love it! You need to add a whack dancing rabbit pose a la Becky. You are even more of a knitting goddess now.**
**I left you a comment. Don't be mad at me. Schmoo. Stop yelling at me for not leaving comments.
Posted by Cathy | February 21, 2005 3:53 PM
Awesome job, Carrie! It fits him beautifully too.
I am in seaming hell myself... I hope my sweater turns out as nicely!
Posted by frecklegirl | February 21, 2005 3:03 PM
Well done Carrie! The sweater looks awesome. You challenge me to move out of my comfort zone of being the accessory queen!
Posted by Leah | February 21, 2005 2:35 PM
That is such a terrific, classic sweater- it looks really, really good! How fun to get to start another big project as a treat.
Posted by Mary-Heather | February 21, 2005 2:04 PM
Carrie, the sweater looks great. And Jacob looks really good in it. Congrats for finishing it, especially with a collar attached ! :-) Good job!
Posted by Wanda | February 21, 2005 1:52 PM
Looks great! Fits great too - Jacob looks happy to oblige. The finishing gets easier with every piece - I (hate to admit it) actually LIKE seaming. How scary is that?
Can't wait to see which something BIG you decide to go with....
Posted by Cara | February 21, 2005 1:37 PM
you did a fantastic job on the sweater! jacob looks very stylish wearing it.
Posted by lynette | February 21, 2005 1:25 PM
Yay Carrie! That looks GREAT! Alex will be so jealous--don't let him see it, he'll want one. And I'm TERRIFIED of big people sweaters! I'm so impressed!
Posted by Stephanie | February 21, 2005 1:06 PM
Congrats! It looks great, and you've got to be SO PROUD!!! Go you!
Posted by Arina | February 21, 2005 1:01 PM
looks great carrie!!!!! way to go on seaming it up and all!!!
Posted by monica | February 21, 2005 12:58 PM
The sweater looks great!!
Posted by Nancy | February 21, 2005 12:36 PM
WOOHOO! It looks great on him. What a cute picture of him laughing. You should definitely start something big for yourself. Hafta show off those new skills :)
Posted by Vicki | February 21, 2005 12:24 PM
It looks FANTASTIC!! Good job! Hmmm, think Jenny will help me out if I decide to do something big and scary like that? Or shall I stick to top-down raglans for the rest of my life? eek! Anyway, well done! xo MJ
Posted by MJ | February 21, 2005 12:13 PM