Standing!

I made the small body and the large sleeves (don't ask) and you can see in the pictures that BHS needed the sleeves rolled up. So, my recommendation would be to make the matching size sleeves and body. Duh.

This yarn is super soft, and only gets softer with machine washing. I made a Picovoli in this yarn, and pilling has been pretty minimal for me after several washings. I think this is a great yarn for baby clothes.

The buttons were purchased at The Point NYC and a close-up can be seen here on my Flickr account.

BHS says:

I am so stylish in my new sweater!
And also, pffffbbbttt.

It's about time I took at picture of this.

and here's the wingspan shot:

Sorry for the dorky pictures.

Yeah, I could've cropped this, but then you wouldn't get to see
my awesome back porch. YAYAY porch.

Here's what I don't like about my version: The collar doesn't really stand up the way it should. My cables are a bit wonky in places, and it WON'T BUTTON. Remember the pretty black vintage buttons? Not happening. I sewed them on, and the thing wouldn't stay buttoned. My Forecast is destined to be an open sweater. Maybe I can do one toggle thingy at the waistline...

Oh, Forecast. Don't be so difficult.

The Pants thinks it's totally weird. I think his exact words were, "It looks like a roman column." Ha! I can see that. The truth is this: I didn't really have gauge, which explains why the thing won't shut. (I also know this is a recurring theme on my blog. Stop looking at me like that!)

I do like it! I'm just not, like, TOTALLY overwhelmed with love for this sweater. It probably doesn't help that it's knit with a cashmere-wool blend and I've got the AC cranked in my house. It's supposed to get colder this weekend -- not that I want the cold back -- but maybe I'll get another chance to wear it. It has served me well so far as the sweater that I throw on when my shoulders are cold. I had just imagined as a fabulous fitted sweater that would MAKE an outfit, ya know?

So, my advice to future Forecasters: GET GAUGE. Like you need me to tell you that. or at least, get gauge if you want a sweater that you can close.

Okay, I guess I love it. Mostly.

Central Park. Modeled by Cathy.

Front view.

I was trying for the J.Crew catalog blurry shot.

There's a whole Flickr set of pictures here: [ Central Park ].

I love this sweater. Christmas gift for my sister Cathy.

I love my cowl.

Sorry for the huge pics, but I love this sweater, so I got my resident photographer to take some pictures with his new Canon 30D...

At first, I wasn't sure about the collar, but for me, it just took wearing the right shirt underneath. Nothing with a v-neck, just a round or straight across collar, so you're not distracted from the pretty cowl neck.

I used Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool for this project, and I lovelovelove this yarn! It's fun and easy to knit with, and it looks so beautiful when it's knit up. I think it's going to be a good all-season sweater - I can wear it now with a camisole underneath, and still be comfortable when it's a little bit warm. I'm picturing it with a long sleeved t-shirt or maybe even a crisp white collared shirt when it gets colder...

YAY!

You know the pattern: The Somewhat Cowl by the fabulous Wendy of Knit and Tonic. I used the pattern changes for a slightly more fitted sweater, including shaping on the sides. It's not super fitted, but I like the way it hangs. I have plans to make a few more of Wendy's patterns because they are super wearable and extremely well written.

Finished at last!

I'm wearing a little tank top underneath because I went crazy with the lace at the top, and it's a little too much skin for work. But for going out...it's just enough skin! woo-hoo.

I'm so happy with the finished product. I really like it layered with a tank, but it looks really sassy without a shirt too.