Arm and pulls
Originally uploaded by Big Sister.
The first knitting magazine I ever bought was the Spring 2003 issue of Interweave knits. At the time I thought of it has knitting pron, I distinctly remember saying that I would never be able to make any of the patterns in that magazine. I am happy to say that I was wrong. 
In the summer of 2005 I realized that I had the skills to knit the Corset Pulllover and all I needed was the yarn. When Elann put Pakucho up for sale I had my material. I went so far as to swatch the bugger and then let the swatch sit around gathering dust. It wasn't until the season finale of Lost last May that I cast on. By early July I had all of the pieces knitted. By mid-July I had one sleeve sewn in. Then . . . nothing.
A few weeks ago, on a knitting date with Jenny, I managed to get the other sleeve on and all the ends sewn in. All I had left to do was make the neck border. That was it. The neck border! I knit and sewed on the back border and had a little trouble kitchenering it on. Have you ever tried to kitchner a live end to a bound off end? It works once you get the hang of it, but it is challenging. So finally, on Sunday night, nearly five months after starting this project I finished it. I haven't wanted to take it off since (though I have considering hygiene and all that).
The specs
Pattern: Corset Pullover by Robin Melanson, Spring 2003 IK
Yarn: Pakucho Organic Cotton in Chocolate
Gauge: Yes with US 8s.
Modifications: I made a number of modifications based on what I had read in the blogisphere. The primary complaint I read, which is evident when you look at the awkward way that the model is standing in the pattern picture, is that the neckline was a little wide. So I narrowed the center panel from 41 stitches to 37 stitches. I adjusted the bind off and the neck border accordingly. This created a neckline that fits and no slippage. I did make the bodice longer, however not quite long enough. I could have added more length, as I have nearly two skeins left over. The last major adjustment was to the sleeves. The pattern calls for 96 stitches to be cast on. That created a sleeve with the same circumference as my head! I tried it a couple of ways finally settling on 72 stitches, which provided enough of a bell shape while not being so cumbersome that I could work on it. Oh, one more mod . . . I knit the straps in a knit 1 TBL, purl pattern so to alleviate curling and even though I knit them I didn't put the straps on the sleeves.
Although this wasn't magic number 11, I celebrated by casting on a hat. I just couldn't be good any longer. Number 10 and 11 are being worked on, I promise! You will see them by the end of the month if not sooner.
Since declaring a yarn diet is a sure-fire way to get me to buy yarn I don't diet. I fast. I broke my fast today by buying a couple of skeins of ArtYarns UltraMerino 6 from Gina's stash breaking a 21 day purchasing fast. Watch the numbers climb again on my nifty Java script count-up in the left sidebar. Nifty, huh?
Your sweater is amazing! I'm glad you broke your fast--at least, your casting-on fast. :)
Posted by: Daphne | November 14, 2006 at 10:12 PM
beautiful! I have pakucho envy...
Posted by: Sarah | November 15, 2006 at 01:54 AM
Twenty one days is worthy of being quite proud, I think. That is a full three weeks without new yarn. Besides, you are helping out a friend. The Corset Pullover looks fantastic on you. The neckline modifications are perfect, and I really like the sleeves without the straps. Gorgeous!
Posted by: Gina | November 15, 2006 at 06:54 AM
it looks really, really nice. i always like it when i see handknit stuff that i would find neat and impressive just as a garment at a store, not just because somebody knit it themselves.
Posted by: karen | November 15, 2006 at 08:10 AM
Hurrah! The neck edging turned out so well! What yarn are you using for your hat?
Posted by: jenny | November 15, 2006 at 09:17 AM
Congratulations! I remember when you bought that yarn. The finished pullover looks amazing -- you're a pro to make all those modifications. It fits you well and looks great.
Posted by: alison | November 15, 2006 at 09:46 AM
it looks fabulous! i've had the yarn sitting around to make this for more than a year now - yours makes me itch to start it!
anna
Posted by: anna | November 15, 2006 at 03:42 PM
What a beautiful garment and a story that sounds oh so familiar... I keep starting projects and letting them linger while I start new ones. If only we could finish things before starting new ones, think of all the lovely sweaters we could be wearing! I love the color you chose for your pulli. Those sleeves are fabulous, too!
Posted by: Karma | November 15, 2006 at 10:31 PM
I was in love with it from the minute you showed me the pattern. Still am. Excellent work. It's a beautiful sweater.
Posted by: anne | November 17, 2006 at 01:24 PM
You don't need me to tell you how awesome your corest pulli looks... So I just called Ed Helms and he told me he thinks it's awesome, too.
Posted by: Tanya | November 18, 2006 at 04:48 PM
Its gorgeous and more it looks really good on you.
I love the "diet" idea. Stating i'm on a diet almost never works for me either.
Posted by: Amy Boogie | November 21, 2006 at 12:35 AM
Amazing sweater! Something I could never pull off, something you certainly can.
Posted by: Alexa | November 21, 2006 at 07:29 PM
Yay! It looks great! I made that top last year, but I wasn't very happy with it. I did the pattern exactly as it was written. Your alterations would have been just the thing! I never wear mine because of the neckline. You're such a clever knitter!
Posted by: HibiscuitsGirl | November 23, 2006 at 08:38 PM
Hey, could you email me and help me figure out what it is that I am supposed to do with the long straps? Tommorrow I am sewing up the 2 side seams, and putting in the sleeves. I really don't get what the 2 long backstaps do!!
Posted by: christine | February 26, 2007 at 04:38 PM