Yes, the equation in the title does, in fact, mean that Barney is [finally] completed! Behold:
This is my Success! pose. I look forward to putting this sweater to good use. By Seattle standards, it'll be a bit dressy if properly paired. On the other hand, it feels really good with my old, soft corduroys. :-)
Full length view...I blocked the sleeves a bit too long, but I like the extra coverage for my wrists. When it needs washing again, I may shorten them up a bit. Usually I don't like sweaters that come down to my mid-pelvis, but in this case Barney has a couple of things going for it:
1) Its hourglass shape means that it goes in where I do, which is flattering
2) The yarn is light (but warm!), so it isn't bulky and
3) the portrait neckline and raglan shaping create more visual width and interest at the top than the hem does at the bottom, so it draws the eye upward
Here's me asking myself if I'd do it again...the answer is yes, but with a few changes!
Project Specs:
Pattern: Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Yarn: Noro Cash Iroha - I don't remember how many balls
Investment: I started this on retreat in Hawaii (early February), and just finished it last week (so, early April). Barney and I took quite a few "breaks", because I started to dream in purple...
Mods: Since I am petite, and have an [apparently] odd ribcage-to-bust ratio, I combined aspects of the medium (width) with the small (length). This created some exciting moments in math, as I figured out sleeve decreases, etc. I wasn't crazy about the very wide portrait neckline (though generally portrait lines are my favorite), but when I added a couple more rows, it looked weird. Just...off somehow. So I ripped back and stuck with the pattern.
Comments: I really liked the finishing and was surprised by how quickly the hem-sewing went. I don't enjoy sewing seams, so the raglan shaping was great. I was a bit concerned about going from the bottom up, but was able to get a good sense of the sizing by trying it on just before the sleeves went on (at least I knew that point should be at my armpits).
Next time: If I do it again, I may just go with the size small. I'm not sure how much ease there is, which is why I chose to work the medium width. I'd probably make the sleeves a little shorter and the neck a little higher in the back, and generally narrower (just a bit, though). I'd like to be able to wear a little t-shirt underneath, without it sticking out oddly at the neckline. I may just have to go shopping (gasp! oh, the horror!) for a shirt with a VERY wide neckline.
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