07-24-2016

The name of the pattern, “Ink,” made me think of the novel Inkheart, so I had to name my project after my favorite cowardly trickster, Dustfinger. I always picture him in a dark green leather duster (and they almost got it right with Paul Bettany), and always wanted one just like it. So this is going to have to do in the meantime.

07-24-2016

I had to up my needle size to 5 to get the proper gauge, but I’ll go back to 4 for the sleeves because I like the tighter fit that LilyLilyLiy achieved. She reduced the sleeves by 8 stitches, I may do the same according to fit.

Also, after poking around I found Kittingpatsy’s Ink and liked how well her collar stands up. She didn’t use the 2.5 needle that the pattern calls for, but the same gauge as the rest of the sweater. I’ll borrow that as well, as I really like how it looks.

01-12-2016

After putting my sweater aside for travels (I moved to Ireland and ended up living in a hostel for 5 weeks, with my knitting packed safely away), I reread my notes. After the brief moment of confusion this caused, I checked my needles. Somehow I forgot to switch to 5s as I had intended, or back to 5s (it’s been so long since I started the project, who knows what the hell I was doing), because I am definitely using 4s. Let’s hope it doesn’t have dire consequences. I was just trying it on and I was worried it might be too tight in the underarm, but as my last project (Marion of Leaford) proved, the knit should open up upon blocking. Although I do love the tighter-fitting examples from viewing other people’s projects. So here’s a continuation of my ode to Dustfinger, with fingers crossed.

12-17-2016

Since I’m a bustier gal, the requisite 4” measured from under the arms to begin the lower body pattern just wasn’t long enough, so I went 5” instead. Then I realized I didn’t end on row 8 as the pattern specifies, so I ended up getting to 6”. Am considering not starting the side increase rows until the work measures down to my hips, but we’ll have to see. That’s what lifelines are for, right?

01-08-2017

I took a little time off to complete some small, fast projects. Small needles and small yarn = tedium. Still loving this coat, but i keep thinking to myself that if I bind off here and just do the sleeves, I’d have a lovely little Spencer. Not that I would do that. But I can’t help but think that after I have finished the full thing I might go ahead and make a separate Spencer coat anyway. Just for fun.

04-02-2018

Almost two years past and it’s done! some notes on finishing:

I went a little overboard with the length of both the sweater (I wanted to finish off my yarn but I lost patience) and the sleeves before I bound off, then decided I didn’t like where I have left off the cable. Extended it another pattern repeat to close off the cable. Bound off. Forgot to do the ribbing on the bottom hem and it rolled terribly. Didn’t want to rip it back so I just extended it further. Liked the effect so I did the sleeves to match. Decided I wanted a picot bind off with beads on. I’m even happier with it than when I finished it the first two times.

Notes on blocking: The sleeves aren’t as tight as they were while I was knitting, which is excellent. it was almost uncomfortable before blocking, now it’s just perfect. As for length, the body grew about 6-8 inches. I forgot to measure it before blocking, so I can’t be exact, but it is certainly noticeable--it was around my fingertips before.

also, a word to the wise: try not to gain 25 lbs before a sweater is finished. It certainly ruins the hang of one’s garments! (especially in the bust)