splityarn: 5th blogiversary AND a finished object

Seems an appropriate way to celebrate 5 years of blogging; the Studio Raglan is finished. Finally!

The basic pattern for this started with Barbara Walker's Classic Raglan Pullover from Knitting from the Top. Realistically though, I only used the numbers for the cast-on and then just knit on my own from there. I was winging it almost the whole way but with a raglan, that's easy to do.

I'm fairly happy with how it came out, even if it's just a touch too big in the arms and the chest. When I knit the next version, I'll give myself less ease in the upper back and I'll increase even more at the hipline. I keep saying that the chest and hip measurements don't need to be equal in a sweater, but I shy away from really just going for it. Next time I'll just do it.

I was somewhat at a loss for how to finish the neckline in a way that would complement the pink edging on the hems so I flipped through Nancy Wiseman's The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques. Ooooh! Applied i-cord edge! Perfect height and easy to try. (The Purl Bee has a great tutorial for it.) I think it works well for this application and it allowed me to reshape some of the scoop neck wonkiness at the collarbone where I was testing out increase rates.

More details on Ravelry

And 5 years of blogging! I'm kind of shocked really. Thank you all for reading! I wouldn't still be doing this if it weren't for all the comments and notes and feedback. (Actually, I would probably still be doing it, it just wouldn't be as fun.) As is the custom, please leave a comment and next week I'll randomly pick a winner who will receive a splityarn boxbag as a prize. Hurray for 5 years!

Comments

hey you too with the 5 years? and in april? like me!

excellent!

Posted by: maryse | April 24, 2009 at 10:58

Congrats on five years! love the pink edging, and applied I cord is my new favorite for adding just that bit of color on an edge...looks great!

Posted by: Kris with a K | April 24, 2009 at 11:15

Congrats on the 5 years. Wishing you many more years of crafty blogginess.

Posted by: Rosa | April 24, 2009 at 11:15

Hooray for 5 years! That sweater is fan-freakin-tastic. That applied i-cord is really a winner!

Posted by: LEO | April 24, 2009 at 11:20

Congratulations on 5 years! Your projects are definitely inspiration to keep on being crafty.

Posted by: Sarah | April 24, 2009 at 11:29

Congrats on 5 years! Love the sweater.

Posted by: Amanda E. | April 24, 2009 at 11:31

Congrats on the anniversary! I really enjoy your blog and that sweater is awesome!

Posted by: Susan | April 24, 2009 at 11:49

Love the sweater, it's a style that you would wear to death (at least I would). I really like the details around the hems & neckline, the pink adds just a little bit of pop. Very pretty :)

Happy 5th blogversary! :) 5 years is crazy long in blogging terms! :)

Posted by: Preita | April 24, 2009 at 11:50

Happy 5th! Hmm, it was just my my fourth Blogiversary. Maybe I need to give away something sewn. I just put my splityarn camera strap on my D50. It makes it unique now. (It has been waiting about as long as my cut out box bag with the interfacing ironed on.) I love the sweater too. You inspire me as well.

Posted by: paula | April 24, 2009 at 11:57

oops. Left .com off blog address

Posted by: paula | April 24, 2009 at 11:58

This month is actually my 5th year, too. Happy Blogiversary!

Posted by: oiyi. | April 24, 2009 at 12:18

Congratulations!

Posted by: Stardust B | April 24, 2009 at 12:44

your sweater fits great! and i love the gray and pink color combo. congrats on five years of blogging--i've really been enjoying your posts. :-)

Posted by: Erin | April 24, 2009 at 12:47

Just today I started my very first sweater, a top down raglan (ala Barbara Walker). Your sweater is almost exactly what I have in mind for my finished sweater, although I opted for a boat neck out of simplicity. Here's hoping that mine looks half as good as yours!

Posted by: Stacy | April 24, 2009 at 12:51