Finished Cardigan

I finally finished the Martha Cardigan. Granted, it was over a month ago, but better posted late than never!

Pattern: Martha by Kim Hargreaves from Rowan magazine #28

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers in Yakima (9459)

I had to adjust the pattern because the yarn is a larger gauge than than called for even though it's knitted at a fairly tight gauge. I also lengthened the torso, made slight revisions to the armholes to adjust for row gauge, and did more bust increases than called for. Basically, I made it fit.






My favorite things about this sweater?

It fits. Perfectly!

The textures of the stitch pattern and the yarn offset each other beautifully.

The buttons complement the design beautifully.

It's warm enough to wear as a jacket on those warmer Denver winter days, yet not so hot that I have to take it off the moment I walk indoors.

I finished it early enough in the season to have a few chances to wear it before summer really hit.



Things I'd improve on if I had to do it over?

The armholes have issues. The sleeves fit into the armholes nicely in the first picture of this post, but here you can see the problem. If I move my arms much there's bunching.

The collar doesn't want to lay flat. I've tacked it down in back and the damned thing still flips up.

The neckline is a bit too wide.


In spite of these flaws, I love it. It's done, it fits, and it's mine!

Tams and toes

I was working on a fair isle tam from a Vogue knitting. I didn't like some of the colorwork, but I'm hoping to use a cute wavy pattern from Hx that she created for a boy hat. However, that's on hold until I make a decision.



So I should go back to one of my other WIP's, right? WRONG! It's time to start some socks.
I'm making the Pomatomus socks from knitty with some yummy Trekking Pro Natura. The color isn't right in this picture, it's more blue and heather-y. I'm having a great time with this lace pattern.

Hattiness

I love hats, they're the closest thing knitting has to instant gratification. I enjoyed the colorwork so much that I want to knit another one. It's a bit silly when the temps are flirting with triple digits, but at least they're small.



Went to the LYS to pick up the last skein for Jennifer's bag and somehow this made it into my bag.


I should not be allowed to go there without supervision. At least I resisted the new sock yarns. Maybe that's only because I didn't see them until after I paid, but maybe not.

Anyone want to go to the yarn store this weekend?

What to knit next

Now that the Oriel Lace Blouse has broken my heart I need to find something new to work on.
Oh, wait. I already have projects to work on.


Jennifer's bag is a joy to work on after the slow moving lace. Now that it's the size of an Asian landmass I just have to knit the attached I-cord trim and the straps. Too bad I ran out of yarn again. It's just heartbreaking that I'll have to go to the LYS again.

Jennifer, I know you're allergic to cats. I promise I'll wash this before I give it to you. I'll wash it in hot. Several times.

But the LYS doesn't open until 10. There must be something else around here...

What is it? I'm not telling. But I'm not sure I have enough yarn for this either. This yarn is vacation yarn. The only place I've seen it is San Francisco. I don't want to face running out. At first my strategy was to knit slower. Now my strategy is to bury it beneath Jennifer's gigantic bag.






How about a nice little stranded hat?

The colors aren't quite right, so I'm off to knit another swatch.