analyze this, Bob

Posted on | February 23, 2010 | 16 Comments

The Olympic sweater is rocking along!  As you can see, the body is finished, and I finished the first sleeve this morning.  I am definitely enjoying this challenge, particularly watching the Olympic events (the men’s aerials last night were fabulous!) while working on my own challenge.

I debated blocking the body and letting it dry while I knit the sleeves, but decided against it.  If I have to seam the sleeves to the body unblocked (and I will, there will be no time to block them), then I might as well wait to block the whole sweater when it’s seamed and finished.  I’ve also been debating on the hood – whether I want to knit it at all, or just knit a ribbed collar.  Since I’m making pretty good time, I’m leaning towards knitting the hood, although I know that hoods can be deceptive.  They take longer to knit than you might think.

But, that’s what makes this a challenge, right?  Not taking the easy road, accepting obstacles and difficulties as a matter of course and working to overcome them.  Not that I’ve had many obstacles (so far, knock on wood), other than ripping back a row or two several times when I got confused.  Let’s hope it stays that way and I bring home the gold!  SIX MORE DAYS!!!!

(And yes, I do still have a few latent Christmas decorations hanging around my house.  In February.  As long as they’re not there in July, it’s okay!)

Category: sweaters

Comments

16 Responses to “analyze this, Bob”

  1. Tina M.
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 10:37 am

    Don’t do it! The hood is the femme fatale of sweaters! My friend Jess will tell you, it’s like knitting a whole ‘nother sweater back. The hood lures you in with the cuteness of it, then stabs you in the back as the finish line looms. Looms rhymes with doom, you know.

    Is it wrong of me to warn you off the hood? Maybe… but then again, I’ll just be all the more shocked if and when you do pull it off. It won’t be the first time I’ve been wrong, and I’d love to be wrong in your favor!

  2. Lynn in Tucson
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 10:54 am

    Loving the vicarious sweater knitting. It’s so much easier this way!

  3. Marie
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 12:01 pm

    Your progress is impressive! In fact I feel much more affection towards your Olympic project than mine. That can’t be good.

    Usually when I click around the knit blogs I haven’t the least tendency to compare what I’m knitting with what other bloggers are working on but this Olympic Knitting thing is a whole new ball game in that regard!

  4. Rurality
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 12:09 pm

    Hi Elizabeth! Your sweaters are gorgeous!
    Karen

  5. Robyn
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 12:20 pm

    Looks great so far! Can’t wait to see you finish on time!

  6. Tami
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 12:23 pm

    You’re rockin that sweater!

    Now about the hood….do you actually use one? Conceptually I like them, even want one, but often don’t actually use it. Then again, does it complete the look of the sweater? If so, then you kind of have to do it.

    Did I muddy the waters further? ;-)

  7. kmkat
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 12:26 pm

    Do block it before sewing together; that makes it so much easier. (I hate seaming, so anything that makes it easier is a must for me.) But just use your steam iron to block the edges. That will take only a few minutes and will be worth the small effort.

    Sweater is lookin’ GREAT!

  8. Laurie
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 12:43 pm

    You are the favorite going into the finals!

  9. Cheryl S.
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 4:13 pm

    I’m with Tami.

  10. Diane
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 5:10 pm

    I bow before you and your knitting. Can’t wait to see it in all it’s finished glory — hoody or hoody-less.

  11. Carrie
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 5:53 pm

    Hoods are never as flattering as they should be. I say leave it off.

  12. Jodi
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 8:45 pm

    Wow, it’s looking amazing! I’m so impressed.

    Hood or no hood, it will be great either way.

  13. jen
    February 24th, 2010 @ 7:16 am

    Man, you’re quick! I’ve been happy to knit eight rows a day on the scarf I’m making…That I’ve BEEN making FOR-EVER.

    I vote yes on the hood!!

  14. Diana
    February 24th, 2010 @ 9:05 am

    It looks like you are going to make it! I think the hood is cute on this sweater, unexpected and modern on a colorwork sweater. but its up to you!

  15. pdxknitterati/MicheleLB
    February 24th, 2010 @ 11:05 pm

    I love how this is looking! Go, go, go!

  16. Kai
    February 26th, 2010 @ 2:36 pm

    It’s looking great! I quite lke the look of the hood in this pattern.. but hey, you need to decide whether it’s do-able.. or not. :D