First FO of the new year: Turbulence from Knitting Nature. Another first: my first set in sleeves. They fit! I was nervous because I had to fudge things a bit because somehow, I was a couple of stitches off somewhere. But they're in. They don't bulge or pucker. And, best of all, the sweater is almost falling off my shoulders. This means that it should fit my sister just fine.
This is me wearing it.
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The yarn is really difficult to photograph. Berrocco Softwist is very beautiful. It's a light wool with a strand of something shiny spun throughout. Unfortunately, the shine also reflects the light from my flash. Here's a picture with flash:
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And here's one without. Didn't help much, did it?
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Pattern details: Turbulence U-neck sweater from Knitting Nature by Nora Gaughan.
Needles: US4 for the ribbing, US6 for the stockinette and cables
Size: Small (36 inch bust)
Why this sweater: In her introduction to the pattern, Nora writes that the cables imitate the way river water flows around stones. Last year, my sister managed to overcome a great many obstacles, including a learning disability, and become a physical therapist. It seemed very appropriate that she should have this sweater.
As I was knitting and putting the pieces together, I thought about life with my sister in general. It is, I think, fair to say that it's always been very turbulent -- there's always something going on, there are always people around her, she's always doing something. We are very different that way. I'm an introvert, she's an extrovert. Even when we were growing up, no toy was any good unless there were other children to share it with. I was happy being by myself, but she was always off with someone, doing something, getting herself in trouble while somehow still believing that "somehow, it'll all turn out OK."
She loves people, and they love her in return. She loves a good party, but she has dedicated her life to making those who are in pain feel better. She has grown a lot, from a wild party girl to a (still occasionally wild) responsible adult.
Life with my sister may be turbulent, but it's never boring.