DONE!!...though it definitely needs a good blocking.
Pattern: Emerald from knitty.com
Yarn: 4-5 skeins LB Wool Ease chunky I've had in my stash for YEARS.
Needles: Size 10 Addis
Mods: The original didn't quite do it for me, but I could envision a very ME sweater after some moderate tweakage.
the original...
Here's what I modified:
- did some calculations and changed the number on stitches on everything to create a more fitted product
- shortened the body
- doubled the rows in the button band/ collar for a slightly more dramatic look.
- increased a total of around 20 stitches purlwise in the last few rows of the shawl collar to add a slight flare to the edge, and to compensate for the doubled rows.
- lengthened the arms to add cuffed sleeves
At first I thought the the cable raglan shaping was too bulky, and thought of ripping it out, and replacing the 3x3 cable with a 2x2 cable, but I think it fits the chunky-funky look of the sweater. Overall, a super quick and easy knit. Too bad the weather has already hit the 80s mark, and this little number will likely not get any wear until the weather drops again later this year. Reminds me of the Snowflake sweater last year!
I'm waiting for the yarn to come in for my next CHUNKY number. Almost instant-gratification is so fabulous right now! Until then, I've picked up the Rebecca cabled sweater I abandoned a few months ago. I'm actually on my second sleeve, and the fronts and backs are done, and ready for the raglan shaping.
Mindless ribbing is great hospital knitting!
Justin, or as my coworker calls him, "Hospital Boy" is 3 weeks out of the horrific wreck. His strength, bravery, and optimism have been so amazing! Friends/ strangers/ nurses have shared experiences of how painful and terribly inconvenient it was to break a wrist, or a leg...but to have a femur, ankle, arm, wrist, ribs, and a cheekbone go ALL AT ONCE, and ALL needing surgery...I can't even imagine! The most used phrase in that room besides "bless your heart!" (is this a Southern thing?) is "Can I have some pain meds, please?"
That red nurse call button was pushed many, many times. We're all quite unhappy with how understaffed the hospital is (great nurses, just not enough of them!). Apparently there's a nursing shortage everywhere? Once, we waited 1 whole AWFUL hour, pressing that darn button every 5 minutes, his pain level escalating (he's post-op people!!) "Can I have some pain meds, please" turned into "pain meds, please" then just "pain meds!!". Ugh.
But the worst is over now....YAY!... As far as we know, his surgeries which amounted to 5 sites total are completed. He's quite the bionic man now with metal plates, rods, and screws (9 just in his ankle!) in all four limbs and small plates and screws in his face! He moved into the extended stay floor, where he'll stay and work on rehab until he regains use of his arms. After that he's looking into finally going home!
Happy Knitting!
p/s I'm doing some blog housekeeping and updating categories, so those of you reading through bloglines will have a bazillion "new" posts. Just ignore it. :)
