Levenwick Sleeve 1

The sleeves are going much better now!  I started the second sleeve on a size 7 needle (one size up from the gauge needle) and it is fitting perfectly.  I only knit until it was 3/4 length and then put it on a lifeline.  The pattern calls for the sweater to have three quarter length sleeves but if I have enough yarn I may make them full length.  I'm going to re-do the second sleeve now on the size 7 needle and then see how much yarn I have left over.  

Getting closer to finishing this!!  Can't wait to wear my sweater...

Levenwick Update: Stuck at the Sleeves

I'm still working on my sweater...bottom is bound off now, and all that is left are the sleeves.  The body of the sweater was knit back and forth, and I am knitting the sleeves in the round.  Unfortunately, I've realized that I knit at a tighter gauge in the round than on straight needles.  So, my sleeve stitches are looking smaller, thus making the sleeves tighter.  After doing some reading on Ravelry, I've learned this is a common issue.  So now the question is: Do I block the sleeve and see how much it will stretch out?  Or do I rip out what I have done of the sleeve so far and knit with one needle size larger?  Or, should I start the second sleeve with the bigger needles and see if I like the difference?

I'm stuck at the sleeves and feeling a little unmotivated to keep going.  Knitting one long tube is not so much fun when you know that once you finish it, you have an identical one to start!

Levenwick Front Bands Done

Sweater is just pinned together to give you an idea of how it will look.

I finished the feather and fan front band tonight (complete with button holes), and then attached it to the front of the sweater with a 3 needle bind off.  In order to attach the band to the front of the sweater, I had to pick up and knit 116 stitches along the right front band.  It took me over an hour just to pick up those stitches!!!  I kept getting close to the end and realizing I still had way more stitches to go than would fit.  It's really tricky to pick up so many stitches and space them evenly apart.  I told Jim that this is why no one will ever get a handknit sweater from me other than my child (small sized sweater!).  When I wear and enjoy this sweater, I will know how much time and effort I put into it!!

Next up is the hem.  I need to knit about a half inch more and do an I cord bind off.  Then I will do the sleeves.  I have a lot of yarn left.  Looks like I will be able to make full length sleeves but we'll see.

Levenwick Body Completed!

Woohoo!  I did it!  The body of the sweater is done, complete with decreases and increases to give the waist shape.  I'm really happy with it!  It is fitting great so far.  It looks kind of skimpy in the front, but that's because it is missing the two front bands.  Next up is the button band, which will have the same feather and fan stitch as the collar, and will be joined with the right front of the sweater.  I'm loving this project so far.  It's just challenging enough to keep it interesting, but not too hard to make me want to give up.

Wink

I knit this scarf up for Mom as a thank you for babysitting Drew.  It's a fast knit--it only took me about 45 minutes!  It looks lovely on her!

Wheeeee!

Drew played at the park in his new hat.

Levenwick Collar and Yoke Progress