Still Gorgeous After All These Wears -- Ode to a Perfect Sweater

The first thing I did after I got home from my vacation was to put on my friend, Central Park, Sans Hood.  I should have brought it with me -- it would have kept me toasty against the cold winds that were blowing in New York and D.C.  But I did not take it.  I packed for 10 days, four cities, three distinct climates, all in a carry-on.  No room for hefty wool sweater!

I had not seen it for 10 days, and when I put it on I was struck by how much I have worn it, how lovely it still looks and how much I still love it.  It's definitely paid for itself many times over -- in the fun I had knitting it and constructing it, and the number of times I have worn it.  Anyone who sees me on an almost daily basis will confirm that I have hardly taken it off since I completed it.  I wear it with black and tan and gray and denim and red and brown and olive green -- I dress it up and dress it down -- it goes with just about everything I own. It never ceases to make me feel pulled-together and toasty warm when it's cold.  It's a three-season wear, as well -- I wear it as a jacket when it's cool, but not too cold, outside.  I wear it under my coat, simply as a cardigan, when it's frigid.

The sweater has grown ever so slightly with wear, but really not a lot, and it still fits beautifully. 

I get compliments on it all the time, from knitters and non-knitters alike.  I can't decide which compliments mean the most!  A compliment from a knitter -- wow, it makes me feel that I've come such a long way in the craft. 

From a non-knitter, it almost means more.  It is simply a compliment along the lines of, "I love your sweater," and the next question is going to be, "Where did you get it?"  When I respond, "Thanks.  I made it," well, I should be in a MasterCard commercial, I guess. 

The Peace Fleece has held up so well it's beyond belief.  Nary a pill, and though I worry about the buttons held on with the yarn, so far they are doing great.  My love affair with this sweater is destined to be very long-lived indeed.  So much so that I am seriously considering making another one in a different color. 

In the meantime, I am nearing the end of Marta.  I finished the first sleeve while waiting on the runway at JFK on the way to San Diego.  I sewed it in somewhere over the United States.  I could hardly contain my excitement.....until I got to the cruise ship and tried it on.  Very, very SMALL, and not as flattering and nice as I thought it would be.  I love the yarn, but didn't care for the sweater.  I strongly considered taking the sleeve out and turning it into a nice, shapely vest. 

But then I tried it on again, over a different, thinner, top, and it didn't seem so bad.  Cheryl urged me not to give up on it.  I also know that this yarn grows a lot in the wash.  In addition, it's ribbed, and it can be blocked to be quite a bit bigger.

I wanted negative ease in this sweater, but not this much negative ease:

(Would this fit Coraline, ya think?)

Eek.  Fingers crossed, people.  Fingers crossed. 

-----

P.S.  I think I need a total-body Spanx. 

Comments

[faerielady]

That much negative ease would completely weird me out. LOL

[Carole]

Hannah wears her CPH all the day. The Plymouth yarn hasn't held up like the Peace Fleece, though. I thought of you last night because I cast on a new sweater (Acer) for me with the last of the Peace Fleece I bought way back when you organized that co-op.

[margene]

That sweater is going to fit PERFECTLY! Your hoodless CPH is going to last a lifetime. Maybe I need more PF in my stash.

[Mary Beth]

Your CPH is really lovely. All that's wonderful about handknitting...very inspiring!

[a simple yarn]

The nice thing about the CPSansH is that not only will it wear for a lifetime, its classic lines are also timeless. None of that faddishness about it! Lovely.

[Carol]

Wow! I looks like you just finished it! I haven't tried peace fleece yet. Maybe I should.

[Kate/Massachusetts]

Have you ever considered buying a wooly board?
http://www.camillavalleyfarm.com/knit/woolyboard.htm
I bought one several years ago and block all my sweaters on it. Mine was handmade and is strong and heavy. As you know, wool can be blocked out quite a bit so if a sweater comes out small, blocking on the wooly board often can stretch it to size.

I love Peace Fleece! I wish it were sold locally so that I could really see the colors.

[gayle]

Fingers duly crossed, but probably unnecessary! The magic of wool and blocking should set everything right. Knit on!
I love your CPsH - such a beautiful color!

[Cheryl S.]

I'm still crossing my fingers.
But it's RIBBING. Of course it will stretch out a lot.

[Cookie]

Who doesn't love a great timeless knit?

The new one will fit just fine. Wool grows and blocking is magical. Have a little faith. xo

[Seanna Lea]

You definitely don't need total body spanx, but if your knitting doesn't grow a bit in the wash and block then you will have made your own!

Yeah, that's not reassuring at all.

[elizabeth]

That's a lot of negative ease, but you have the figure to pull it off!

[claudia]

I predict that will be fine after blocking.

[Carolyn]

I have my fingers crossed for you also. I agree, the blocking will do wonders. I do love your CPH and am happy to hear that it's holding up so well.

[sandy]

Oh how I love that sweater~ Everything about it. Color, yarn, pattern, that YOU Wear it! Love. It.

[--Deb]

So, so pretty ... I can see why you love it!

[Renee]

Would if fit Abigail if it doesn't block out enough?

[Fran]

Your Peace Fleece looks like such a comfy cosy sweater!

[jodi]

I'll give you some total body spanks. That sweater is going to look fabulous on you and you know it. Don't they always?