I've had it in my mind since last year to do a rundown of previous knits. I mean, you post the FO shots, you rave about how happy you were when you finished, but there's so rarely a post-knit, post-wearing review. I think I may just devote January to exactly this point. I'm busy getting the shop ready for the next boxbag update anyway, so FO's are going to be in short supply for the next few weeks.
First up, The Husband Sweater.
Out of the two sweaters I've knit for the Husband, EZ's Seamless Hybrid gets the most use. I finished this in December 2006 and while it didn't see a ton of wear in Austin, it's a wardrobe constant here in Boston. Seriously, sometimes it's hard to get it away from him long enough to wash it. That fact alone makes it hands down my most satisfying knit, ever. (I only got these photos because I told him it was still drying.) This is the sweater that other knitters point out to their spouses to convince them that they need a handknit of their own.
During the first few wearings it pilled like CRAZY. I was worried for a bit, but like a new carpet, it only needed to shed a little and now is back to only minor pilling here and there. After a few washings, the stitches are all perfectly even and uniform. Cascade 220, you're my hero.
Eventually I'll make him another just like it with only two mods:
The bottom hem, because it was knit closed, has a tendency to flip up. (TechKnitting wrote a great post about why this happens.) Next time I'll just bite the bullet and seam it down rather than muck about with the provisional cast on.
The purl gutter on each side of the front raglan decreases is at times charming, but mostly I just think it looks messy. I'll try the next one without it.
There will definitely be another one for him and most likely one for myself. With a little waist shaping? Heaven in a sweater.