With a gentle nudge from my pal Wendy to both finish the sweater and to blog it, I am pleased to present my finished Thermal, aka The Nicest Piece I've Ever Handknitted For Myself.
Click for bigger versions of the teeny ones.
[Apologies for the dorky photo.]
This is the best fitting, most squishy-soft, comfy piece ever. I love everything about it, even the cutesy buttons I've been reclaiming from garments ever since the original sweater purchase of 1996. (Those buttons are a very well-traveled bunch.)
The photos don't do it justice at all. The set-in sleeves, the deep, scoopy neck, the just-right sleeve length and abundant twisted rib...
All of this has set me into sweater mode. I've already started and finished one for BFF Nancy's son for his 2nd birthday / late holiday gift. I'll post photos once I remember to take some in daylight.
Next sweater is for DD Amy in Cascade 220, a top-down raglan that I'll also post photos of later on. It's really flying off the needles, and she's sure to wear it by month's end. After that will be another one in the same colour for DD Laurel. (They haven't yet rebelled against the matchy-matchy clothing, so I still indulge in it more than occasionally.)
In other knits, I cast on a bag so I'd have some plain knitting to do at the theatre while I watched the best new movie I've seen in years. The yarn is the Bernat felting stuff, which isn't too bad, very Lopi-like.
Also, the first handknitted socks for my BIL, whose wife has had her holiday socks on every day and is making him very jealous. These are in SR Kertzer On Your Toes, the sock yarn with a smidge of aloe. It's an awful yarn, very scratchy for one with aloe. It also had a very, very awkward join, where the patterning actually reversed! After much winding I managed to salvage enough for the pair, but I'm quite annoyed and won't bother with the yarn again.
And socks for the other BIL are done and awaiting their postal trip west.
And just one more,a secret project that went off in the mail to the States today.
Yesterday I had a wonderful visit from Ms. Yes and her littlest kids. She was sporting the most awesome pair of Back to Basics socks, and we caffeinated, kvetched and, of course, knitted. Now I'm dying to get my hands on some CotLin from Knitpicks so I can work a Tussie Mussie just like hers!
The girls (my 2, her 1) had a great play and got along famously. Wee Gabriel? Maybe it was the yarn fumes. Maybe it was the lure of the squishy bean bag chair.
Or maybe, just maybe, he was just bored.
I think it was all the crawling about finding the things he should not put in his mouth. Wears a wee man out.
I love that sweater. I want!
Posted by: Lesley | January 18, 2008 at 09:26 PM
What was the best new movie you've seen in years? Inquiring minds want to know! :)
Posted by: canknitian | January 18, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Thermal looks fantastic!
Posted by: turtlegirl76 | January 19, 2008 at 12:16 AM
your thermal looks great!
I actually just finished a project with that same colour of bernat felting :)
Posted by: Kelly | January 19, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Your Thermal is inspiring...I need to get back to work on mine. It is so good to have you feeling better!
Posted by: dobarah | January 19, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Thermal looks great! You'll have to wear it when you can finally join us on Tuesday. You have to come at some point - you're the one who invited me, after all, and what do they say about being responsible for the life you save...er... invite to knitting out loud?
Posted by: Valerie | January 19, 2008 at 05:55 PM
Hey Deb. I spoke to Lesley, and she says you ordered one of each (wood and nickel) since you couldn't get a hold of me to ask what I wanted! I'll happily pay for both if you like, and take them both off your hands. I hadn't actually decided which I wanted, so maybe you were picking up on my indecisive vibe?
So Juno is really as great as they say? I'll add it to my holds list once the library orders it.
As for Gabriel, it's that blue blanket he has on. I think his mother has soaked it in some sort of sedative, cause it seems to work a charm for putting him to sleep!
Posted by: Alison | January 20, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Thermal looks great! Very nice work. That color looks very good on you. :)
Posted by: Jen | January 21, 2008 at 11:40 AM
I was wondering if the pattern for the thermal sweater is available anywhere, it looks so comfy I want one for myself!! Great Job!
Posted by: Christina | February 01, 2008 at 02:45 PM