Advice on finishing my first sweater

[AnnPerkins]

I've just got a couple more rows to do on the neck and I will have finished knitting my first sweater. The shoulders and sleeves are already joined, I just have to stitch the sleeve and side seams.

Should I block first and then stitch, or stitch and then block? Or should I stitch and then just wash and dry it? Or can I get away without blocking/washing it at all?

If it makes any difference, it's all stockinette stitch, with an intarsia initial on the front and the yarn is 100% acrylic, chosen for, I hope, minimum itchiness.

Can any experienced and wise knitters advise please?

Ann, if I'm allowed to here, I'll post links. Not going to make any pre Christmas sales as have to wait for my Art student son to get back from uni with his fancy camera!

@JoffreyBaratheon

Ann, if I'm allowed to here, I'll post links. Not going to make any pre Christmas sales as have to wait for my Art student son to get back from uni with his fancy camera!

This was reported and we just wanted to say that it's fine to post links of your patterns as long as it's not spamming to make money, it's a lovely thing to do .

Thanks, Rebecca. I didn't want to cross any lines, so no worries. Chances are it will take me til next year to persuade my son to do the shots anyway!

Thanks Rebecca.

I'm looking forward to seeing some of your work, Joffrey.

(Just one side seam and sleeve to do and I will have finished DS's sweater )

I managed to finish a really boring scarf yesterday that my son insisted on having for christmas... I never knit scarves, but he really, really wanted a certain one and I caved. So glad when I finished it yesterday! My grown up sons are all happy with knitted presents or things I've sewn for them. Which saves me money, but it adds to the workload, this time of year! Oldest put in a request for a dressing gown as I made the others one last year but made him a patchwork throw for his sofa (which I loved but I think he'd rather have had the dressing gown!)