Making progress

Ok, so splitting the sweater (instead of steeking) and knitting up front and back separately has commenced. I'm getting the hang of things now - so, hopefully things will start picking up and moving a bit faster. I fear that I had changed the needle size in the beginning, to adjust for tension and then didn't write it down anywhere. So, rather than follow the pattern, I went a size down on the needles and things seem to look right. Homecoming is only 3 weeks away, but we have a long car trip coming up next weekend and I could probably get a bunch knitted if B drives the whole way (!).

More about the Sesqui Sweater

Went to the local Stitch n' Bitch last night and met some cool-ass knitters. I'm totally inspired to continue with this behemoth project and finish it (?) in time for our 10 year homecoming next month. I will insert a photo of its current state here...

So, let me explain this nifty sweater. As I said, it was designed for Queen's University's 150th (Sesquicentennial) celebration in 1991. The design incorporates the elements of the school coat of arms - the Scottish thistle, the Irish clover, the English Rose, the Canadian pine. It also incorporates the year of the Royal Charter starting the school (1841) and the "current" year at the time (my first year of engineering), 1991. Also found is the cross of St. Andrew and the crown as minor patterns. Definitely, a cool idea and I really love the finished sweaters I've seen. I'm not sure I would bother with another fair isle sweater if it didn't have this much meaning behind it. I much prefer using Philosopher's Wool / unprocessed wool for aran type sweaters (see Sept '04 entry).

Sesquicentennial Sweater

Yes, it's back - well, it never really left. This fair isle sweater has been on the needles since 1998 or so. I bought the kit to make this special sweater (designed by Dr. Mabel Corlett of Kingston's "The Wool Room") that commemorated Queen's University's 150th anniversary. Dr. Corlett designed and presented one such sweater to His Royal Highness Prince Charles in 1991. (Incidentally, I took photos for the Tricolour yearbook of the royal visit, which included Diana.) Surreal to think back on that now.

Anyway, I took out the sweater today and started ripping back some. See, I decided I'd steek and cut just as the pattern was written, but later wimped out and decided that I had screwed up one side's steeks and... well, decided I'd take it back and split it in two to knit it up. :-(

So, this photo is the one that came with the pattern - this is what it is supposed to look like when it's done.