Red Poncho for Rose

This was such a great project to knit and used up almost seven of the eight skeins of Cascade Pastaza (50% Llama, 50% wool) 132 yards each, size 9 (5.5mm) needle. The Pattern is here:
http://www.amazon.com/Ponchos-Wraps-Knitters-Dozen/dp/1933064013



What a big difference blocking makes. I just sprayed the garment with plain water and pressed it into the wool with my hands. Then I patted and tugged it into submission and left it to dry overnight. Voila. So much more drapey and nice.

 The original pattern had a more open V neck which is fine for a cool evening, but Rose lives in Chicago and those windy EL platforms require a little something on the back of the neck, so I added a  higher mock turtleneck to the design, with multiple short rows in the back of the neck to increase the length of the back and for a better fit. If you have ever seen yourself from the side you will note that a garment like this may be pulled more to the front and be shorter in the back. With this modification in the pattern, the length is evened out.

My fave miters made this project such fun to knit, but the size of the yarn and needles were so unfamiliar. Since I have been knitting here, most things are finer weight, and hence take a bit longer to finish. This went zoom-zoom.

And now for a little sock knitting for Elizabeth.