The Family Trunk Project Blog

Ecstatic

I am very, very pleased with how this is coming.

It's my first steeked project, and I continue to be surprised at my lack of nervousness about the dread Moment of Cutting. I do take a certain amount of pride in keeping knitting mishaps in perspective (ripping out is just part of the process, and so on), but I can't honestly say that an entire sweater-body unraveling before my eyes is something I could take in my stride without some serious weeping and gnashing of teeth. Nevertheless, I somehow managed to avoid stressing out about it at all. I think it's because I'm just having so much FUN with this sweater; my positive knitting force-field was keeping all the negativity at bay. Here it is approaching the cutting table:

I believe it's customary within the knitblogging community to include this shot:

And then, like magic, a malformed tube of knitting is transformed into a sweater!

It's no 48-hour garment, but I've been shocked at how quickly this sweater body has come together. And I just love - love, love LOVE - the results so far. This is my absolute favorite aesthetic: crisp, tailored, feminine, with clean lines and well-plotted details. I'm also surprised how much I'm enjoying the whole steeking process. Having a slew of pretty little facings all tacked down on the wrong side of the garment, creating clean, finished lines on the outside, injects just a touch of seamstress-like precision into my knitting experience, and the balance is very satisfying indeed.

I've pledged to finish the second sleeve for the Warren Johnson Jacket before casting on for the sleeves for this little treasure, which means I'm motivated. David and I are leaving on Thursday for a few days in California, and I want some plain stockinette sleeve knitting for the plane. Hopefully, I can have Warren Sleeve #2 felted and drying, and Betty Sleeve #1 cast on and flying by, when I board my flight. Wish me luck!