Finished!

I finished my sweater last night, and I love it! Unfortunately, it's about a thousand degrees in Boston, so I won't be able to wear it out for a while...

Overall, I really like this pattern, mostly for its minimal finishing requirements and flattering shaping. I know others made the neckline smaller for more bra-strap coverage, but I personally think the wide neckline looks lovely. As for the yarn, the KnitPicks' Andean Silk felt great in my hands as I was knitting up the sweater, but it's kind of itchy to wear. The reasonable price (compared to Cash Iroha) and pretty color make the itchiness bearable, though.

Thanks--this was a really fun knit-along! I may just have to make another one.

My imitation of the photo in "Last-Minute Knitted Gifts"

How much yarn did you use?

Hi--I've knit up quite a bit of my sweater since I last posted; I've finished the body and one sleeve. Unfortunately, I think I'm going to run out of yarn. I have a question for those of you who used KnitPicks' Andean Silk: how many skeins did you use, and for what size? I'm making the smallest size, and I have 8 skeins to work with. I've ordered two more, but will that be enough? Mathwise, it works out, but the errata says that some knitters have needed more yarn than is called for in the pattern, so I guess the yardage in the pattern isn't accurate. Thanks!

Hourglass Complete!

I finished this sweater a couple of weeks ago and am (finally) posting some pictures! I used Knit Picks Andean Silk in Lettuce and size 7 needles. Overall, I am happy with it, even though its a bit too big. I think that the second size would have been perfect (but I sort of did an inbetween 2nd and 3rd size)!

The final measurements are: 19.5 inches across bottom, 17 inches waist, 39 inch chest circumference, 24 inches from bottom edge to neckline, 20.5 inches from wrist to underarm.

I also made a few other modifications including an additional inch on the length of the waist area to accomodate the fact that I hate things that are too short. Lesson, should have left as is, it was a bit too long. I also added an extra inch to each sleeve. Lesson, thank god I did! I have long arms and the changes I made came out pefect! Also, what's with this sweater showing bra lines on everyone!? Mine came out fine... On wait, no, thats because I have those huge broad swimmer shoulders and have no need to worry about that!

And finally, thank you for all your support and kind words throughout the making of my first sweater! I really appreciate it!

Yarn received

Well, my yarn for the Hourglass has arrived, so I thought I'd share:















It's called 'Kelso Wool Tweed' and I've ordered it from texere. It's not quite as soft as I'd hoped, but I love the colour. Can't wait to start knitting!! :)

Now a Part of the Fun

I started my first Hourglass sweater in late June, and I'm working on the front/back sections of the pattern now. I love the Noro Cash Iroha yarn, and I normally wouldn't buy this yarn simply because the price is usually too high, but I found a great sale at my LYS and I received a $25 discount on top of the sale, so I figured - why not! The color is #I01 and the dyelot is the natural color with very faint specks of pale lavendar, it's really lovely. I'll post pictures of my progress soon. I've just reached the increasing part of the pattern for the front/back of the sweater, and the measurement is supposed to be 5" long, and I think mine is a little bit longer than that. Has anyone else been off on the lenght-wise measurements? I've carefully counted the rows and kept track, so I'm hoping I was just tired when I measured, and that the sweater is the correct length after all. Anyway, happy knitting!

Late to the party

Hi! I'm new to the knit-along. I had been planning to make this sweater for a while, but it wasn't until I was inspired by all the finished sweaters here that I started my own. I'm using KnitPicks Andean Silk, and it's working really well so far. Some people have described the yarn as fuzzy, but I don't think it's that bad--it doesn't have a noticeable haze or anything. I also used the Nothin' But A T-Shirt hem technique, because I think it looks cleaner.

This photo's a little old; I'm actually up to the part where you start the increase rows on the body.

I'm really looking forward to wearing this sweater, even though it won't be cold enough for a few months yet...

Joining the group

Hi everyone and a big welcome to those of you who have joined recently.

I've had a few requests to join recently where people haven't included their email address. If you would like to join the knitalong and haven't heard from me, this is probably why. I would love to sign you up, but can't add you to the blog without your email address, so please resend those requests, including your email address.

I look forward to seeing lots more completed Hourglasses!

New to the group

Hi everyone! I've just joined this KAL and started my Hourglass last week. I wanted my sweater to be summer weight so I'm using Crystal Palace Mikado Ribbon on larger needles.

I already know that the next time I make this I will make the hem half the size of the pattern. It just seems bigger than it needs to be. Though, I'm not willing to rip and start over at this point. I'll post pictures as soon as I'm far enough along.

I'd also like to say "thank you" to Deena who posted about how she used the the hem technique from Alison's Nothing but a Tshirt pattern. I used it too and found it to be a time saver that I'll use again.

Anyway, thanks for letting join (though kind of late). I'm having fun and can't wait to wear it.