I'm so pleased. My oldest ongoing, or rather long time hibernating project is finally finished. This project has been sitting in it's little basket since 1997 where I could see it all the time. (The better to "remember" to pick it up and knit on it again.) Instead, seeing it all the time just made me feel guilty for not working on it.
Since it was on my first projects ever other than scarves or hats, I reached the point in the directions that I couldn't readily figure out what to do. So, I avoided knitting it because it was "too hard". Then, because it was on tiny needles with extremely tight tension, I avoided knitting it because it made my hands hurt. Now since I've retired, I have spent so much time knitting that my experience level is enough to take on this challenge; in fact it seemed easy! Also, my hands/fingers have become much stronger so it didn't hurt anymore.
Presto... my first gansey style sweater! It's knit so tightly that when I put it in water to wash all the dust out of it, it took almost 15 minutes to "get wet"! It should be really weather proof.
Of course, yesterday was a pretty sunny day which would have given me an excellent photograph, but it was still wet. Now that it's all dry and photo-ready, it's dark, gloomy and heavily overcast. I couldn't wait though... I snapped the photo indoors, and if I take another better one later, I'll post that one instead.
This is my 4th NaKnitSweMoDo project so now I'm only 2 months behind. Unfortunately, this is the last of the "easily finished" WIPs sitting around so progress will be slowing down substantially!
But you finished Seaforth!!! Excellent. And it's gorgeous, even if the light didn't cooperate with the drying time. Fifteen minutes to get wet? It'll be perfect in the winter.
Posted by: Carrie K | June 16, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Yay! It sure will be roasty toasty if it took 15 minutes to get wet. Great sweater for Alaska!
What's next?
Posted by: miyamojo | June 16, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Do you suppose the Oregon had something to do with incentive to finishe the older WIP? hope the "Cloudy" means rain for you. We had about 2/10 inch of rain yesterday--just enough to keep me out of the garden and settle the dust. And now it's unseasonably warm out.
Posted by: Sigrun | June 16, 2009 at 04:05 PM
Congrats on finishing the oldest WIP! :) Will be perfect for October.
Posted by: Holly Jo | June 16, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Yay, Carolyn! It looks super! Which Gansey is next?
Or have you started a new Fair Isle? Guess you had better do one that the husband gave or he might think you don't like them ;-)
Posted by: Marina | June 17, 2009 at 12:52 AM
Oh wow, congrats on finishing Seaforth! It doesn't matter how long it takes. But seriously? LOL, Seaforth was your first non-scarf/sock project?!
Posted by: Brigitte | June 17, 2009 at 03:54 AM
It came out great! I'll bet it feels really wonderful not to have it sitting in the "to-do" basket anymore either!!
Posted by: Anne | June 17, 2009 at 04:11 AM
The sleeve design you choose turned out great as did the rest of the sweater.
Congrats!
Posted by: Carin | June 18, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Carolyn- Amazing. If they had Academy Awards for knitters, you would be nominated!
Posted by: Lorraine | June 22, 2009 at 05:04 AM