First successful sweater - done!

I need to update this blog more often!

Here is my most recent project - the "Fugly Funnel Neck" sweater, sans funnel neck.

Pattern: Funky Funnel Neck Fun, Yarn Girl's Guide to Simple Knits.
Needles: 10.5 circular
Yarn: Bernat Soft Bucle
Notes: Chunky boucle yarn originally bought for a blanket, until I realized it didn't match my couch at all. So I decided to make a plain, baggy, around-the-house sweater for when it's chilly. It's ok that it's ugly, because it is WARM and my first finished sweater. Now that I've got the beginner's jitters out of my system, I can move on to better things.

Seaming wasn't so bad, but was challenging with this particular yarn. There was very little visible stitch definition, so I sort of had to wing it. But it turned out just fine.

I don't think I would use this pattern for a sweater I actually intended to wear outside of the house without some modifications. The smallest size swims on me, and there is no waist shaping. Good for lounging around the house, or an 80s-themed Flashdance party, not so good for everyday wear.

PS - I did not sew it up as a funnel neck, but instead folded down the neckline as a boat neck.

New coat = excuse for knitting!

I obviously need a new scarf, hat, gloves, etc. to match my new winter coat. Actually, I have two new winter coats, so that's double the knitting. I'm not complaining :D

Here's the first coat:

And to match, I knitted a lace cap at this weekend's Philly SnB:

It still needs to be blocked and there is a wee end sticking out that I forgot to weave in before wearing to work this morning. Also, I knit it a little shorter than I should have because I planned on crocheting the bottom edge (as the pattern calls for), but then I realized I'm not too great at crocheting the edges of knit items! So hopefully it will block a little longer to fit my head, or I'll have to figure something else out. It's a cute hat, but needs to be a little longer.

Next on the agenda - mittens!

Another blunder!

I am not having a good knitting week at all am I?! I took a break from my sweater for a day and worked on a felted cloche hat. But somehow I messed up the top bind-off. I won't say it's the reason, but I guess the glasses of wine and subtitled movie didn't help. I thought felted might hide the mistake, but no. I may try to felt it again and see if it is wearable, but I'm guessing it's not. Ugh!