stitches west and hourglass sweater

I went to Stitches West this last weekend and had a great time. I took four classes: Where Do They Get Those Numbers?, First Choices, Joy of Finishing, and Toe-Up Socks. The first class was definitely my favorite, because it taught me how to actually make sure things are going to fit perfectly before I even start knitting. First Choices was also interesting, but it was not as great as I had hoped for. Joy of Finishing was okay, but I actually knew most of the stuff already. And Toe-Up Socks was also nice, but I think I could have learned most of it just as well from a book. I have already started a pair of toe-up socks though, and they are looking really good.

I did finally finish my Hourglass Sweater too! I say finally, but this actually took me only 2 months to finish, 2 weeks of which I wasn't actually working on it at all because I was finishing up Tim's xmas present. So a month and a half -- pretty good time for me!

Hourglass Sweater

Close-up of the boatneck hem and raglan shaping

Pattern: Hourglass Sweater from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts
Yarn: Knitpicks Andean Silk Twist
Colors: Poppy Field
Started: December 11, 2005
Finished: February 11, 2006
Modifications: Altered the shaping some, shortnened the sleeves to 3/4-length, altered the raglan shaping for narrower boatneck.

I'm so happy with it! It fits really well and I love the flared 3/4-length sleeves. This is a sweater I would definitely knit again with a different yarn.