Finished Coral Crossing

We have had a few of the most beautiful days here. The sun is out, it’s warm outside. Warm enough to open a few windows and enjoy some fresh air. Now I have a nice warm woolly sweater for all the nice weather.

This is Coral Crossing from the Fall IK 2006. My gauge was a little bigger than what the pattern called for. Actually it got bigger as I knit more, the first part was right on. Because of that it turned out a little bigger than I was expecting. So now, instead of being a fitted sweater, it’s a comfy (but pretty) pullover. Which I’m okay with.

I know many people were unsure about the pockets, but I love them. It’s a sweet little detail that makes the sweater unique. Plus making them was fun. As you knit the front, you cast of stitches, and replace those stitches with the stitches that are held from the lining of the pocket. I will definitely use this design element on one of my patterns in the future, but probably in a different way.

The neck line was what I like about the pattern from the very beginning. I knew that this would be a perfect match for me and my wardrobe. Since the sweater turned out a little on the big side, the neckline was a little too big. The neck is done by picking up stitches, knitting 2 inches, then folding it in half and whip stitching it to the inside. Since I had a small tube for the neck line, I made it stronger and stay the same shape by threading a little elastic through. I could sench the elastic down to whatever size I wanted it to be, and now it looks nice and won’t fall off my shoulders.

I love the sweater, but I have to say, I’m very glad that it’s done.  This sweater has taken awhile (yarn here, progress here) This sweater had it’s share of ripping and re-knitting. I probably could have knit the front and back twice for the amount of ripping I did. Either I would forget to cross a cable, or the arm shaping. I just couldn’t get into a continuous grove. So now it’s on to new things!

So for now, I’ll enjoy the sun, but I won’t mind a little bit of cold again to give my sweater a try!