This past weekend, I put the camera in SK's hands & begged him to take some pictures. I'm not sure how bloggers take sweater FO pictures in the summer. It was a little over 70 & I was itchy to rip it off. It didn't help that I had one child that had to be held & another one that buried himself in any open space I had available.
I really enjoyed this pattern. Lisa Llyod describes it as a "pert cardigan". That description & the shawl collar made me rip a project I had already started with some Cascade 220. Amanda was knit from the bottom in one piece to the sleeves. The sleeves were knit in the round & then attached later. It was really a very simple cardigan. I did run into some issues because the pattern was written almost too simply. By "simply" I mean with a lot of words to avoid confusion. For me, more words always lead to confusion. I think that Ava even said, "You're thinking about it too much." I wish Pattern Writers would be forced to attend a conference & agree on the proper wording for increase & decrease sections. Ah, you can't make everyone happy. I also got too confident when working the pattern. "I can knit this with my eyes shut!" When you do that the sleeves are attached to the inside of the sweater. I sat there for at least 15 minutes wondering why the stitch pattern wasn't lining up. Duh?
I've said it a number of times, I'm a cardigan whore. I like them to fit just right. A sweater can afford to be larger than necessary, but a cardigan should fit. When my cardigans are big, I feel sloppy. I've learned that I should knit them with a smaller amount of ease. While knitting this one I was so afraid that it was going to be too small. I had to trust my swatch and Cascade. I blocked it to fit 39/40 inch bust & it fits really well. I may have to switch out the buttons to a flat button. These tend to hang, but I love the English county side feel they give the sweater.
One sweater down. A ton of projects to go! I'm almost done with Tuck's Runaround & will start Gus' cardigan Runaround immediately. I must treat these sweaters like a pair of socks. I'd love to knit SK another pair of clogs for Christmas. Tuck needs a stocking & a hat. I've got baby gifts to knit. Cleite is still plugging along. And there's an adorable hat in the new VK Holiday edition. Goodness, my head is spinning. I need to knit.
On non-knitting news, we have a potty-trained kid! I haven't changed a size 6 diaper for almost a week. I love hearing, "Mom. I have to go potty." It just blissful. Now if I could just get Tuck to stop flipping on the changing table, I'd be a happy Momma. And Ava don't you dare tell me to let him fall off the table! Look how that helped Brother.
Were you trying to channel Angelina in the first photo? You and your "lush" lips . . . sweater looks awesome, too.
Posted by: Ava | October 17, 2008 at 05:23 PM
That's my goal. From now on I live my life by this question WWAD?
Posted by: lola | October 17, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Love it!! It's beautiful and I love the color! Congrats on the potty training and good luck with the flipping on the table, there's nothing like a kid rolling around in a poopy diaper!
Posted by: kelly jo | October 18, 2008 at 11:15 AM
the color is perfect for a fall cardi.. and it looks great. i love the picture of gus burying his head in your butt. that is owen's current fav right now. that and slapping my left over belly (from carrying the stinker and his brother, no less). i like the past picture too, your quilt, is it not?
the WWAD made me laugh. i think i am adopting it.
Posted by: mamie | October 19, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Lovely! Especially the wordy collar.
Try a toy that Tuck only gets on the change table, something really cool, or a book.
Posted by: tricia | October 20, 2008 at 07:09 AM
Potty training...I can't wait! The cardigan is absolutely perfect. I just added it to my Ravelry queue!
Posted by: Sarah | October 20, 2008 at 05:10 PM
FANTASTIC!! It looks great!
Posted by: Cara | October 24, 2008 at 03:41 PM