Finished Ivy

At last I have finished knitting something! All around me people have been knitting one, two or even three pairs of socks a month, Central Park Hoodies and Rogue, with lists of finished items streaming down their blog sidebars, and I've been plodding away, steadily knitting IVY and not actually finishing anything.

Now I have finished and here is the result. It is knitted in Patons Diploma Gold, colour Lupin and it has taken me about six weeks to complete. As I learned new, improved sewing up techniques last year, it has taken me three days to sew together using teeny tiny neat mattress stitch. I've got to say that it was worth it though, the seams are much flatter and neater than I achieved with my previous method.

I really like the finished sweater, it is very versatile and comfortable, and I would like to knit lots more! I'd like several in different colours, and I'd like to knit a summer one now, in a silk and cotton or alpaca mix. However, learning from experience, I am not going to try and knit another one straight away. I have an alpaca sweater for Mr Knitbert to get started on next. It is a strange feeling when I finish a large project which has taken several weeks; although I want to get to the end of the project and wear the garment, I feel strangely unsettled when the project is complete, as if something is missing! It takes me a few days to get engrossed in another project. Luckily I have a couple in waiting - my Hedera for Sock a Month 2007 (will I get them finished by the end of the month?) and a Clapotis in SWT Oasis, which I would like to get completed in time to take on my forthcoming trip. The second stop on the trip, by the way, is Auckland, New Zealand, where we are going to spend some time with Mr Knitbert's family. Yes, Mr Knitbert is a Kiwi!