I have finished quite possibly the most beautiful sweater I’ve ever knit.  When the Apres` Surf Hoodie came out I remember thinking, “Alace hoodie? No thanks” and that was the last time I even thought about it.  That was until my friend Sophia talked about this sweater for three weeks strait.  She was swatching and deciding on yarn and I was becoming intrigued.  By the time that she had cast on so had I.

I'm seriously in love with this sweater

Pattern: Apres` Surf Hoodie
Yarn: Beaverslide Dry Goods Light Sport Weight 1 pound cone (between 1700 & 1900 yds no one is quite sure which)
Needle: US size 4 through out
Mods: Many! Obviously I omitted the hood.  I like the concept of a hood but don’t actually like to knit one.  I have a knit hooded sweater and it pulls and stretches so that I’m constantly tugging down the front. I don’t like it. So the hood was out!

Another mod was that I omitted the waist shaping. This was a two fold decision and I will be completely honest here about it.  1. I just didn’t read the directions well enough. I just blew right by the waist shaping.  2. Instead of going back to fix this I thought about how I wanted the overall sweater to fit.  I wanted NO tugging at all so after measuring a few of my favorite sweaters and my knit in progress I decided this was ok.  I’m really pleased with the fit and my decision.

I also added length to the sleeves which probably wasn’t needed because this yarn + lace really bloomed in length not width.  So my hands disappeared in their length.  This doesn’t bother me because I’m usually tugging on my cuffs anyways and I can always fix it later if it really bothers me.

I’m especially pleased with the back.  There is no pulling but also no drooping either.  It fits me perfectly.  This I believe has been the commutation of being honest about my measurements and how I wear clothes.  When I first started knitting I had a tendency to lie to myself about what size I really was.  It’s hard being a bigger gal and a knitter.  I never meet gage and that’s ok because most sweaters stop at 50″ or 52″ bust sizes.  Both of which I can wear but I like a little more ease than that.

I’m only a little sad that I will have to wait so long to wear this sweater.  At least it will be ready come fall and I know it will be fantastic to wear.  I should have slipped on a white T under this sweater to really show off the lace but this is exactly how I will wear it. 

What else am I working on since I have been remiss in the knitting aspect lately?  I have started a garter st jacket for my best friend’s soon to be baby girl.  She’s due in September so I think I’m ok time wise though I’m afraid I’m going to run out of yarn.  I did this with 3/4 skeins and I think I will worry till it’s done. 

In real life the colors are Jitterbugs Vincent Apron & Velvet Grapes which are totally kicking butt together.  they aren’t quite showing true in this photo but it’s almost there.

In other news tomorrow is my birthday which is also Canada Day for you people up north.   I have no idea what’s going on to celebrate other than I am getting a much needed hair cut & washing my car.  The Mr has been practically jumping out of his skin about his gift he’s been planning since December so I will finally find out what he’s been up to.