Getting close

Now that the election is over (aw yeah, my fellow Americans!), I shall reveal the progress on Venezia.

I finished the body a while ago (stupid standard time prevents picture taking on week nights which is why you haven't seen it yet). I did decide to go with a scoop neck, which I had to do twice because it was too square the first time.

Front neckline

I did only 8 stripe stitches on the neck instead of the 10 on the sleeve to keep it from being bulky under the neck band. I did secure the steeks with crochet, although they haven't been secured yet in these photos.

I ended up knitting the sleeve three and a half times: half of first sleeve on dps before realizing I had started on the wrong row; first sleeve on dpns; second sleeve using Magic Loop; then first sleeve again, using Magic Loop because it came out much less lumpy than on dpns. Once I had the colorwork pattern memorized, it went pretty quickly. The upper part of the body was also done using Magic Loop rather than dpns or shorter circular needles. I definitely recommend it.

With crochet secured steeks

Snip snip

It looks like a sleeve!

I will admit I was skeptical that the crocheting would hold the steeks, but they did, even through a gentle wash and block.

Can I digress? I don't understand why, if the related article on steeks only talked about steeks with an odd numbers of stitches, the sweater has steeks with 10 stitches. It was a problem when it came to securing. Lame. Anyway...

You can see the folded neckband I picked up around the neckline. The shape of the neck turned out pretty well. I tried it on at the stage you see above and noticed 2 things. First, it made me look fat. I'm hoping that was the dorkiness associated with no sleeves. Second, the neck band gaped at the back. I'm hoping a good blocking fixes that problem. Otherwise, I will be undoing and redoing.

Currently the sleeves are done blocking, but the body is still a bit damp. I will take up the task of setting in the sleeves when I return from a short trip to Sacramento. Hasta la vista (baby)!