Happy Father's Day!

I want to dedicate this post to all the daddies! I hope you are enjoying your Father's Day! We celebrated a day early. I made a trip to my parents house to hand deliver my dad's finished sweater.  

I was nervous to have him try it on since we didn't follow the rules and measure prior to knitting... I just sort of winged it and used one of his current winter sweaters as a blocking template. The verdict? IT FITS! Truth be told, I could have spared myself a few inches length through the torso, but he's not complaining, and I can live with it.  

I was also nervous to install a zipper in a hand knit (first time!). But, it was much easier than I'd anticipated. I wish I had some sort of helpful instructions or a link to a video that would outline how easily a zipper can be added  to a sweater, but I don't. I used what I know about zippers in sewing and went for it. 

One of my favorite features of this design is that all the edges have turned hems. This makes the neck, sleeve, and bottom edges really crisp and finished looking, and it provides a really polished look to the FO. I decided to add a strip of bias tape to both front edges before stitching down.I think it looks really fantastic and adds a special little touch. I should also note, I used sewing thread to fasten down all the hems, because I was concerned using yarn would create bulk; it worked beautifully. 

Pattern: Avast by Jesse Loesberg 
Size: Large ("40chest)
Yarn: Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool in OaK Tweed- 3 skeins (NOTE: I used FAR less yardage than the pattern suggested I had a tiny bit of third skein remaining at the end which puts me to roughly 1395 yards; the pattern claims 1680yards are needed for this size). 

Happy Father's Day, Dad! I love you!