Kim's Sweater

I just finished the third Christmas sweater for the ladies.  Kim requested an interesting design that called for three-quarter length sleeves and body to be used over another longer top.  She chose a bright gold color and the pattern of the stitches was called a star pattern.  There are no buttons or zippers in this pattern.  All the borders are doubled with a facing.  It was interesting to learn how to do this.  I really enjoy learning new things about knitting, so this was fun to do.  The sleeves were done in rounds by using four double pointed needles like doing socks.  It was tricky trying to keep the pattern for the stars straight, but I love a challenge.  I had to actually redo both arms after completing about 2/3 of each of them.  With the first one, I decided it looked much too big for Kim's skinny little arms, so I took it out and converted the pattern to an even smaller size than the smallest size called for.  I had to increase the number of stitches as I went along to be sure that I would end up with the same number that the smallest size called for by the time that I got to where the sleeves tied into the yoke of the sweater, since for the rest of the way up the sweater, it was being knit as one piece across the sides, sleeves, and back.  With all of the decreases that was going to be done going up the yoke, I didn't want to even try to convert the pattern.  Besides, I thought it would be too small if I did.  Anyway, after redoing the first sleeve and finding that I was happy with it, I started the second sleeve.  I was moving along nicely, thinking that I was doing everything exactly like the other sleeve.  Not!  After knitting a long way up the sleeve I took a good look at it and realized that it was much too small.  I couldn't figure out what I had done wrong.  I started rereading the pattern to see what I could have done.  I finally realized that after knitting the cuff rows, I was suppose to increase eight stitches before starting the star pattern.  Once I corrected that error, I was once again able to get a sleeve that looked the correct size, and like the other sleeve.  It was challenging to tie the sleeves into the rest of the sweater, but once I did, it was smooth sailing the rest of the way.  I was able to finish in just a couple of days.  I was still a little worried about it being too small, so I had Kim try it on (even though it is a Christmas present, it is not a surprise).  It fit perfectly!  Hurray!!!!!!

From the back

and from the front

 

Now that I have these sweaters done, I need to start new projects.  I have a few to do.  I have chosen sock slippers for the men.  I found suede soles that had patterns for making the sock portion of the slippers.  They should be fun to make.  I also have some baby things to make for a grand niece.  I will need to get started on those right away, since she is already about a month old.