The Inaugural Sweater

My second sweater of 2009 was the Cambridge Sweater by Ann Budd. I call it the Inauguration Sweater, as I started it and knit it through all of the Inaugural activities. So far, it is my favourite sweater both to knit and as a finished product.

I started the sweater using size 8 needles and Cascade 220—all as noted in the pattern. My gauge started out ok, but as I came close to finishing the back, I held it up to my hubby’s back and realized I was going to have to make an adjustment. Fortunately, I was only about 20% of the way done when I realized the problem. The sweater was huge. So, I frogged (ripped it out and started over. Get it? I ripped it. Frogs say what?) it and started over. I went down a body size and a needle size, and I got a gauge that would fit my hubby.

I finished knitting the sweater in February, but I did not finish the sweater until May. Why? I wanted the sweater to look handmade, but not homely. How one seams the pieces of a sweater together is as important as how it is knit. Since I had no experience with seaming or finishing garments, I was nervous about screwing it up. After seeking advice from my knitter friends, I purchased The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie M. Wiseman. Wow. It might be the most important knitting book I own. Using detailed instructions with pictures, the book explained how to finish the garment and when to use each technique. Since the sweater was in 5 pieces AND needed a zipper sewn in, I was glad for the advice.

So, the story of the Inaugural Sweater ended happily. It is complete, and it fits John. What more can a girl ask for?