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.
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!
Congrats on the sweater and 5 years of blooging. I'd love a bag.
Posted by: Kelley | April 29, 2009 at 20:03
Congrats!!! I absolutely love following your blog. Thank you for introducing me to TTV (I am in love it).
ps - cute hair!
Posted by: Pang | April 29, 2009 at 23:50
Congratulations!! I've really enjoyed reading (stalking) your blog for quite some time now. Wish I had the patience to knit a sweater!
Posted by: Molli | April 30, 2009 at 21:39
Probably too late to win the bag, nut happy anniversary anyway!
Posted by: Cristi-Lael | April 30, 2009 at 22:57
Hooray for five years, and hooray for a lovely sweater!
Posted by: virginia | April 30, 2009 at 23:30
Happy Blogiversary! Love the neckline on that sweater.
Posted by: Emily | April 30, 2009 at 23:49
I wish I could get up the nerve to finally knit an actual item of clothing for myself.
Posted by: Swine flu natural remedy | May 02, 2009 at 03:48
5 years! thats great...what a treat for all of us readers! congratulations!
Posted by: elizabeth | May 03, 2009 at 09:33
Congrats and thanks!
Posted by: Jane | May 04, 2009 at 13:15
I think I'll have to pick up the BW book. Happy Blogiversary!
Love the neckline, you were right to pick the i-cord.
Posted by: Judy | May 04, 2009 at 19:27
How many unfinished object you have in your hand now?
Posted by: HP laptops | May 05, 2009 at 05:22
What a gorgeous sweater. Looks perfect.
Posted by: riotyarn | May 06, 2009 at 06:38
Congratulations!
Half a decade of blogging!
The raglan looks awesome too, so grats on that as well!
Posted by: Skogul | May 06, 2009 at 15:16
I am so jealous, I really want to learn how to knit. You did a beautiful job.
Here's to (at least) 5 more years!
Posted by: Ronda | May 08, 2009 at 09:22
I love, love, love your sweater!! And congratulations on the blogiversary!
Posted by: Lisle | June 09, 2009 at 18:28