Blue Sky Gable Finished!

Here is the finished knit, still wet from blocking. A photo shot with live model is in the future.



We have a name change here. Blue Sky Gable is how the completed knit shall be known (formerly known as Green Gable).
I finished this lovely knit this afternoon, and promptly washed it in a new product called "SOAK", flavor = "aquae". Because the Softwist is 41% wool, 59% rayon, I knew a lovely bath would be called for. Blue Sky Gable was immersed in the soak for 15 minutes, then squeezed out. The solution is to remain in the yarn.
The sweater blocked out beautifully. All the stitches look even and lovely. I single crocheted around the neckline. I had been thinking that I needed to do a crab stitch at the very least, to get the neckline to lay flat - but low and behold, a single crochet did the trick!

The specifics:

Pattern: Green Gable fy Zephyr Style
Start: August 22, 2006
Completed: September 2, 2006 (11 days)
Yarn: 6 1/2 balls Softwist by Berroco Color #9444 (about 650 yards)
Size: Medium (36-39 inches)
Needles:
Body: US# 8 circulars
Ribbing: US#6 circulars
Cost of Yarn = $19.50 ( yarn purchased at special half off sale!!!!) A small price for such a lovely knit.
Comments:
Backwards loop cast on is required for a large, open boatneck. I had initially tried a previous false start with a knitted cast on, and the neck opening was too tight. Any floppiness in the neck will block out nicely. I am also glad I added a single crochet around neck. I followed the pattern regarding decreasing after bustline, by decreasing every third row. However, I would recommend either a four or five row decrease, instead of the three row decrease called for in the pattern. I decreased a total of 10 stitches for the waist, and gradually added back the 10 stitches , increasing 2 stitches/round every fifth row. I preferred the gradually increase, and if I make it again, I will be sure to do a more gradual decrease as well, every fifth row.