Here it is, my finished Hourglass Sweater! I’m very proud of this one, so you’ll have to endure lots photos. Eden took all the photos for me and I’m modeling it at tangle.

Neck detail

I used 5.5 skeins of Malabrigo worsted. I love this yarn and I have to say that my only complaint is that it’s hard to get continuity between the skeins even if they are in the same dye lot. I should have alternated skeins every couple rows, but chose not to and you can tell at the top where I joined the new skein. Overall, I’m still really happy – that’s just the joy of handdyed yarn.

I used size 7 addi turbos – 32″ for the body and 40″ for the sleeves. I worked them at the the same time on magic loop. I really think that knitting the sleeves at the same time is the ONLY way to go, I’ll never do them individually again.

Mods to the pattern:
I chose to knit the sleeves much tighter than the original pattern (Last Minute Knitted Gifts). I think I cast on half as many stitches to start. Because I was knitting the sleeves at the same time, I was able to sort of “wing” the increases, trying the sleeves on as I went. I made sure to increase up to the specified number in the pattern, but I think I would have been better off having a few less stitches at the top as far as fit goes.

I also made changes to the neckline. I think this is by far the most common modified portion of this pattern. Most people aren’t fans of their bra straps hanging out of a boat neck, as trendy as it’s becoming again. Joelene suggested that I knit the back of the neck higher than the front, so I knit 12 rows of the back, back and forth, continuing the raglan decreases. Then I picked up stitches along the back edge (6 each side – this was easy because I slipped the 1st stitch of every row) to join up with the front. After that I worked in the folded hem, sewed it down and was done! Blocking really helped the folded hems lay nice and flat. One thing I’m constantly reminded: Never underestimate the power of blocking.

I think I would definitely make this sweater again. It’s such a classic and the simplicity of the design lends itself to many yarn and embellishment options. And I have to say, it’s SO comfortable. I’m very warm and snugly today!