Celtic Dreams Home Stretch
On Saturday, I spent time with dear knitting friends welcoming little Ms Bookish, and I knit. I knew the assembly wouldn't mind. Knitting friends are good like that. The wouldn't begrudge me my last three inches of a long-anticipated sweater because they understand that it is possible to knit and talk at the same time. Muggles think you're spaced out and not paying attention to them when you're stitching away, even checking a chart or turning a cable. But knit friends: they get it.
By the time I got home, all that was left was to knit up the neck as prescribed (neck modifications seem to be very popular on this pattern, but I went with it as written since I like the garter rib edging, and it matches the cast off at the wrists and the hem)
Sewing up the set in sleeves and the underarm seam since I had decided to knit them flat, a decision I stand by since wrangling an Aran sleeve in-the-round while attached to a whole sweater just to save a seam job isn't my idea of a labour-saving device.
Then a soak in kookaburra wool wash (you're right Carolyn, it is nice) in the family tub and
a sunny day on the woolly board. You didn't know I had one, did you? It was a gift from the Mister long ago when I was primarily a knitter of square sweaters. It has been a decade since this baby has seen the light of day. It took me a long moment to remember how to set it up, but eventually it came together, and 18 hours later the sweater is almost dry.
And for those of you just tuning in in one way or another, that's Black Water Abbey in cinnamon. That last picture in the sunlight is the best representation I've managed on the blog of what it looks like in person. Nice, eh?
it's gorgeous! I'm loving that color. :) Congrats on finishing! What a fantastic sweater.
must get back to mine! [it's hard with the temps this week in the 60-70 range...]
Posted by: jess | March 12, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Beautiful sweater and I love that color!
Posted by: Chery | March 12, 2007 at 10:34 AM
I want to see it on you. Photo!
Posted by: kate | March 12, 2007 at 10:34 AM
You call that NICE? Woman, get thee to a thesaurus.
Posted by: Lucia | March 12, 2007 at 10:36 AM
It is just beautiful!!!
Posted by: chris | March 12, 2007 at 10:36 AM
oh julia, it's gorgeous! it's got to feel SO GOOD to have this huge project done and ready to wear. you've done a wonderful job on it.
here's hoping for at least a few more cold weather days for you!
Posted by: jody | March 12, 2007 at 10:37 AM
It is gorgeous! I'm hoping for a self portrait with it on!
Posted by: Ruby | March 12, 2007 at 11:05 AM
I'm so glad you were able to come on Sat :) Your sweater looks fantastic! (and what a great day for drying yesterday, huh? I hope your sweater smells like spring.)
Posted by: Jackie | March 12, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Absolutely gorgeous! Mine will definitely be done for next winter.
Posted by: Bethe | March 12, 2007 at 11:19 AM
It's beautiful and that color will be fabulous with your hair. Congratulations on finishing.
Posted by: Carole | March 12, 2007 at 11:38 AM
18 hours in the sun? That's some serious wool.....Well done. Looks marvelous.
Posted by: Juno | March 12, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Congratulations! I's fantastic!
Posted by: Erin | March 12, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Well, done, well done! It is fabulous!
Posted by: Angie | March 12, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Well, done, well done! It is fabulous!
Posted by: Angie | March 12, 2007 at 12:20 PM
It's just gorgeous, Julia. Head-turning.
Posted by: Kathy | March 12, 2007 at 12:22 PM
Congrats! It looks fab-u-lous!!
Posted by: Kris | March 12, 2007 at 12:32 PM
I love it, I love it, I'll knit it one day for sure!
Congrats, it's wonderful!!
Posted by: Sylvie (France) | March 12, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Ooooooh, it's just beautiful! Congrats.
Posted by: regina | March 12, 2007 at 12:51 PM
That sweater is absolutely fablous! Congratulations.
Posted by: Jane | March 12, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Gorgeous. Congratulations.
Posted by: Jessica | March 12, 2007 at 01:05 PM
You finished! It looks so good!
Posted by: Cheryl | March 12, 2007 at 01:47 PM
gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.
what a triumph.
Posted by: Ruth | March 12, 2007 at 02:24 PM
What a beautiful sweater! Congratulations on finishing it.
Posted by: Tracy WW | March 12, 2007 at 02:43 PM
Very nice! The color is wonderful. I agree that a modeled shot is required.
Posted by: Maia | March 12, 2007 at 02:45 PM
Yeah, where's that cold front? Let's cool off the temps again so that you can get some good wear out of it!
Posted by: Johanna | March 12, 2007 at 02:52 PM