I did it! I finally finished my first sweater! This project took forever to complete. I started back in January, set it aside for a while in February and then kicked it into high gear in March and April. I had originally planned to have it finished by our anniversary (3.18), but I think I was only done with the body and half of one sleeve by then.
Here it is in all its glory. The first time Jon tried on the finished sweater, it wouldn't fit over his head (imagine me trying to coax it over his head and Jon writhing in pain). Jon did manage to get it over his ears and his nose, after some stretching and pulling, though. So, I pulled out the neck line and started it before the 5th decrease and made it a bit wider. It's still a little tight, but he can get it over his head with much less pain now.
At first, the sweater was a bit snug on him, but after blocking it, I was able to stretch it out and now it fits nicely with some room to move.
I'm so glad it fits him! Half the time I was knitting this I was worrying about it not fitting Jon, so this project got to be a bit stressful near the end. But, it fits, he likes it and it's finished. Yay!
Here are the details:
Pattern: Cobblestone Pullover by Jared Flood
Yarn: Paton's Classic Wool Merino
Color: Dark Olive
Skeins: 5 (1100 yds. total)
Size: Smallest
Needles: 8US
Pattern Modifications:
My gauge was a lot smaller than the specifications, so I went up a needle size. The gauge was still smaller then the recommended size, but I left it as is because Jon's chest is smaller than the small measurement and he doesn't like his clothes too baggy.
I made the body length 18" rather than the suggested 16" and I made the sleeve length 21" rather than 19" because Jon has long arms and a long torso.
For the body I cast on 166 stitches, rather than 176. For the arms I cast on 48 stitches rather than 52 stitches and did the increases as written. I followed the rest of the directions as written, except for taking out the final decrease.
oh my gosh it looks FANTASTIC!!! I am so impressed. i love the color you chose, and the pattern and it looks like it fits perfectly!
on another note - i see you've read the Glass Castle. Did you enjoy it? I really loved it!!
Posted by: amy | 19 April 2008 at 03:56 PM
Great job! I have MUCH respect for knitters, it's far too hard for me to grasp.
Posted by: Steph | 19 April 2008 at 06:24 PM
Wow, that sweater came out perfect! And it's your first! Hope your next sweaters turn out great, too :)
Posted by: Lisa | 19 April 2008 at 07:03 PM
First sweater?? That looks like you have been making them for a while!!
Posted by: priscilla | 19 April 2008 at 09:03 PM
This is so handsome. I am in awe that anyone can make a sweater!
Posted by: Jacquie | 19 April 2008 at 09:22 PM
Congratulations. Cobblestone was my first pullover, too, this year. Yours looks great!
Posted by: Jennifer in KS | 20 April 2008 at 01:42 PM
The sweater looks so professional and it looks great on your husband too.
Posted by: Dallas | 20 April 2008 at 07:19 PM
Woohoo!!! The sweater looks fantastic! You must be so proud of it.
Posted by: Oiyi | 20 April 2008 at 09:51 PM
wow! nice, nice job!!! I am so impressed.
Posted by: amandajean | 21 April 2008 at 09:15 AM
Congrats on a great looking sweater. I am so impressed! It looks fantastic. Lucky hubby.
Posted by: Melissa | 21 April 2008 at 10:48 AM
holy cow, that is an awesome sweater!!! it fits him perfectly!!!
Posted by: Kate | 21 April 2008 at 01:57 PM
Really it did come out amazing. So perfect. That must have been completely terrifying when you couldn;t get it over his head. I would be breaking out my stick of butter to make it fit.
Posted by: Betty | 21 April 2008 at 03:18 PM
This is so great! What talent, I don't think I'd ever attempt to make a sweater. And this looks like you have been making sweaters for years, absolutely flawless. I'm glad it fits!
Posted by: Cami | 22 April 2008 at 02:17 PM
Fantastic! I've decided that I'll have time to take up knitting when I'm a grandmother. That gives me at least 15 years (I hope) to sew through the fabric in my basement to make room for yarn.
Posted by: Wendy | 22 April 2008 at 03:40 PM
Congrats on finishing your first sweater! It looks fab!
Posted by: Kim U | 24 April 2008 at 04:24 AM
That is amazing! My hubby was obcessed with me crocheting him a sweater for a while. Scarves I'm cool at, but a sweater??? I'm not that genius!
Posted by: Caitlin | 25 April 2008 at 02:42 PM
oh my gosh, rebekah. you are so multi-talented. :)
Posted by: jessy | 26 April 2008 at 09:43 AM