Carnage

Warning: Today's posting contains graphic images of sweater violence. Those who are weak of constitution or will should proceed with extreme caution.

Let the steeking begin!  At last, both sleeves are finished and the time has come to inflict a little damage around here.  Some people get really twitchy at this stage.  I always experience a rush like people describe getting from bungee-jumping, or eating Scottish food.

 { Insert knarly armhole steek carnage here }

Oh, The Humanity!

Hi-Viz blue yarn is used for marking purposes and picked out after cutting.  Yucky orange sewing thread helps me cut properly by being easy to see, and will be hidden under facings at the end.

This is my favorite:  Neckline Shrapnel. 

My students totally freak out when they first understand that we will be knitting the neckline with no shaping, and then cutting away the excess.  I like to bring along a little leftover scrap like this one to illustrate how very little waste there is with this technique.  Looks gory, though, no?  Now all I have to do is join the shoulder seams, pick up and knit the neck finish, and insert the sleeves. 

Tonight I am going to meet the World's Fastest Knitter.  She's in the Guinness Book and everything!  Man, I hope she has some tips for me.