Sunday, July 27, 2008

Ford, Finally Finished!

I'm proud to introduce my latest FO: Ford, the Lopi sweater that took me three years to knit.

This sweater is a testament to my growth and learning as a knitter. From when I started it to the time I finished it I learned many new techniques that I then applied to solve technical difficulties in the knitting.

The pattern starts in the round and then has you knit the front and back flat. I learned steeking, and applied that technique to the arms and neck. The pattern calls for a folded neckband, but Jim finds such necks to be too hot and bulky. I learned the sewn tubular bind off for toe up socks and so this sweater has a single layer at the neck.

I learned the magic loop technique, again for socks, and so my sleeves were knit in the round too. I learned the Philosopher's wool technique for stranding and so one and a half sleeves are stranded.

I'm very proud of my progress as a knitter and that I've finally finished this sweater. Knowing that Jim will be wearing it and having the Harrow Fair as a deadline gave me that last push that I needed to get this thing off the shelf, back in knitting circulation and finally done.

Finally, I'm thrilled to have a handsome husband to wear this piece of art. It looks smashing on him and he's such a good sport to model for me in the summer.

19 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:38 pm

    What an accomplishment! It should give you both pleasure for many years. I can only dream ...

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  2. man oh man, thats so great. Its absolutely beautiful!!!

    Well done, Laurie!!!

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  3. No greater love hath a man for a woman than to model a wooly jumper in July. Beautiful work, Laurie!

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  4. It's gorgeous -- love the colour and the fit!

    One and a half sleeves are stranded? What's the other half?

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  5. Fabulous looking sweater (and model).

    It's amazing you are able to free yourself and step outside the pattern to insert your own teaks and ideas.

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  6. Laurie - you outdid yourself. It's stunning and he is one handsome (and proud) guy modeling it. Beautiful work - just beautiful!!

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  7. Beautiful! Well worth the wait.

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  8. Anonymous10:41 am

    That is spectacular - just gorgeous! And such a handsome good sport he is, too!

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  9. Regardless of what happens at the fair, you get the blue ribbon as far as I'm concerned. It looks especially handsome on your husband. I love that he'll wear color like that!

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  10. Anonymous5:41 pm

    Excellent work! Very good!
    Esther

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  11. Simply stunning. Love the pattern and the colors. Looks great on your handsome husband.

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  12. Anonymous10:32 pm

    Ford looks fabulous and it fits your husband so well! You should be so proud of yourself.

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  13. Laurie, that sweater is a work of art. It's so beautiful! And your husband looks very handsome. What a good sport to model it in the heat! Our nights are getting colder, though, so he'll be wearing it during the day before long =)

    I agree with CarrieK, too. The fit is perfect.

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  14. Anonymous10:23 am

    It looks wonderful on your husband! And such a great testament to your growth as a knitter.

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  15. He IS a good sport and it looks wonderful on him too. But why wouldn't he be proud to wear such beautiful at ANY time of the year? I bet he loves the knitter!

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  16. La, la, la, la, laaaaarv it! Be proud of yourself Laurie because that sweater should be framed and hung in the house! Bewdifool!

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  17. That's awesome!! (Both the sweater and husband.)

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  18. He is such a great model! Real camera presence. The sweater is perfection, especially your neck mod. And extra points for sticking with a long-term project and learning so much and FINISHING. You are a very good influence for your slacker friend Sylvia...

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  19. That is one seriously beautiful piece of knitting! Congratulations!!!

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