Green Dilly Beans: The Name of the Dance is the Licorice Twist

I'm playing a slight game of catch up on the blog here. I won't rehash all the glories and defeats, but I couldn't leave out the final chapter of the Licorice Twist yarn's journey to becoming an Hourglass Sweater. The last time you saw the Hourglass, the neckline had migrated past my scapula and around my clavicle. I frogged back to the raglan shaping, and the crisis was averted, with only the occasional curse to be heard. Now all is forgotten and forgiven. I honestly do a little dance when I see it folded in my closet (feel free to take a moment and picture me tap dancing out a lively tattoo). I wish I could take all the credit for the loveliness of this sweater, but really, it's all about the yarn folks. As usual, the pictures don't do it justice, but as much as I wear the Hourglass, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it in person!

Pattern: Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, size Small

Yarn: 2 balls Licorice Twist Red Yarn, from Spinners Hill (about 1200 yards) - purchased at Rhinebeck

Needles: Size 6 Addi circs

Modifications: One extra decrease in the body shaping, as well as an extra decrease along the neckline. I'm a firm believer in accepting and dealing with my own shortcomings, so I knew from the start that there was no way in hell I'd be sewing all those hems. Using the no-sew pick-up method, I managed to avoid every hem but the neckline. Ms. Marnie has a great photo tutorial that details this sanity saving step. Highly recommended for the sewing averse.

March 2008