One down

One sweater down.

It doesn't look like much in the picture but lying flat in its, dampish state, it hardly looks like a sweater.

What an adventure knitting it, though.  I followed EZ's design for set in sleeves and knit them simultaneously.  I did adjust a few things.  

EZ worked off percentages, but since I had no idea and could only take a wild guess at the number of stitches before I started working sleeves together, I fudged it.  By the numbers, I think the sleeves and upper body would have been a little too short.  So as usual, I followed what felt right and it worked.

I did have a bit of a stop and consider when I got to the top of the sleeves.  I wasn't sure how I was going to approach that.  Again, I felt that if I followed her instructions implicitly, I would end up with too little room on the shoulders.  I did the knit and attach sleeve caps across the fronts and backs all the way up to where the shoulders needed joining.  When both the fronts and backs were done, I did a three needle bind off.  I considered doing the bind off in the usual way, so the ridge was inside, but I like that little ridgey look.  I did it on the outside.  Easy peasy and it looks great too.  

I kept making the poor fellow try it on.  I wouldn't have needed to do that if I was knitting a gansey.  I'm comfortable with the fit he would need with those big open sleeves, but this, with its closer and more defined fit, left me feeling unsure.  But I think, when you see a picture of him in it, you will agree, it worked out very nice.  

So a very good weekends work.  Better pictures tomorrow.

On to sweater 2.  I'm knitting this one bottom up as well.  The pattern shows raglan sleeves, but I may or may not do that.  I might do this sleeve again, and give Son2 fitted sleeves.  I know the fitted sleeves look great on him, and I am not sure the raglans do.  I suppose it isn't a concern on a big broad shouldered guy but...you know me.  I will worry till it is done.