Happy Pink Sweater

In January, when I was casting on all the things, I decided to knit a new sweater.  I wanted it to be thick and snuggly and soft.  Something big and slouchy I could just cuddle into.  I had a sweater quantity of Blue Sky Fibers Extra (55% Alpaca/45% Merino) in the Lei colorway so I cast on for a Worsted Boxy.  I decided to try to finish it in time for Valentine's Day and I finished it yesterday!

It's just as soft and cuddly and bouncy and warm and big and comfy as I had hoped it would be!  This is my first time using Extra but I don't want it to be my last.  It's such a soft, bouncy, thick yarn and it feels great to knit.  I'll probably use it for a cardigan next time because there's a limited use for thick pullovers in Texas!

Since this sweater is knit bottom up, I decided to start with a provisional cast on so I could check the length at the end.  I usually add a bit of length to most sweaters (I'm 5'8") but I wasn't sure how much if any I would need.  Also, alpaca can drape and lengthen when it's being worn, so I definitely needed to double check the length.  I knit the smallest size, but being a Boxy sweater (she wasn't kidding when she named it), there's room enough for three of me.  I knit the entire sweater, finished the neck, and knit the sleeves before trying it on.  As it turned out, the length was fine, so I picked up the live stitches from the provisional cast on, worked my lower ribbing, and wove in the ends.  It got a steam blocking to finish it, and now it's ready for Valentine's Day. 

Now I'm going to get back to all the other things I've cast on and work on them before I start another sweater!  Have a great weekend!