What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger

OK, this month has been pretty low on the health front. Since Sept. 1, I've been down with:

• A cold / stomach bug combo
• 5 canker sores (in clusters)
• A 4-day headache that verged on migraine
• A chest cough thing. I don't even understand this. I don't get chest coughs.

I'm lying here - miserable - begrudging that I won't be able to go out with friends for dinner. My bones hurt. Or maybe it's my muscles from the coughing (which I did all night). On the plus side, I whined my way into getting Scott to turn on the heat, which he usually won't do before Oct. 1, at the absolute earliest (emphasis his). Yes, I am complaining but it's my blog so I'm allowed . Please continue to the next paragraph for the real post.

Today's theme is pain for gain.

Meet Exhibit A (Chuck Sweater by Andi Satterlund - note that Blogger, once again just did this weird thing and now, refuses to let me link...):

The more I try to use this dress form as a model for my clothes, the more I observe how absolutely it fails to approximate my shape. This sweater actually fits me beautifully in the shoulders. Alas, in this pic, the shoulders on the dress form are forcing the fabric to assume their (wider) form. Furthermore, the cables don't stretch as much on me because the overall circumference of my torso is narrower than that of the dress form. It's really irritating.

Side note: I realize that you no longer have any faith that I'm ever going to model anything again, but I am a dull, greasy-haired, zombie, with skin the colour of gruel. I have a manufactured image to uphold, so this is the best I can do right now.

The final sweater is all that I'd hoped for, despite my numerous cable challenges early on. Here are some final thoughts and bits of info:

• I used 700 yards of Cascade 220 (a bit over 3 skeins - natch) to make a modified small. Primary modifications were the addition of 6 stitches at the underarm (continuing the entire length of the sweater) and the addition of a vertical cable pattern. Definitely, the extra cable ate up a lot of yarn. I'd estimate 40 yards.

• I would not make it any bigger in the circumference than I did (you know I was considering that in the last post on this topic). Once I added the sleeves, it all fits very nicely in the chest.

• I love the colour. Overall, the yarn is entirely adequate (and so affordable), though it's a bit more "wool-like natural feeling" than I prefer. I note with interest that my other Cascade projects were made with the Superwash (the growier, treated version). Both Frances and Mardel have reminded me that treated wool is known for its grow-factor. I really don't love that firm, "natural" hand of regular wool.  FYI, Cascade Superwash still doesn't grow anywhere near as much as the Debbie Bliss stuff, for what it's worth. Mind you, neither does it feel half as good.

So, whatcha think? Would you wear it? Do you like it? Let's talk.

(PS: Theory is I'm going to sew something soon. I was aiming for this weekend, but not convinced I'm going to have the energy.)