Wearing (& Loving) It!

The first part of this past week was very slow at work (it has since picked up dramatically) and I took Tuesday off. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s waiting for work to show up. There’s plenty for me to do at home so I told my boss I’d rather not waste my time and his money.

I spent the morning finishing up the cardigan. Yup, finishing it. It’s completely finished, sewn together, buttons on, ends woven in. Done!

 

The buttons are some wooden buttons I bought a long time ago for another project. I debated about whether or not to stain or paint them, but I think I like them as they are.

I did lightly wet block the ribbing at the waist; 3x3 rib pulls in quite a bit and I was afraid that if I didn’t block it, it would gap open at the buttons. All I did was pin the cardi down to the carpeting (on a sheet) to my waist measurement, laid a couple of wet/damp tea towels over the waist section and let it dry while I was finishing up the second sleeve.

I have to say, I’m REALLY pleased with how this cardigan turned out. I love the yarn, I love the colour (Sandie, green is one of my favourite colours, too!), love the style, love the way it feels on… just love it!

As a final recap, the pattern is Drops 123-1, the yarn is KnitPicks Gloss Fingering weight in the Parsley colourway (discontinued). I bought eleven skeins and have two complete skeins left. The cardi was knit on 3.0 mm needles. The only modification to the pattern was to start with the stitch count after the second pleat/cable, rib to where the third pleat/cable was to be and continued with the pattern as written (did that make sense?).

Now, I’m on to my next project. I’ve started another cardi for myself, one that I started and frogged once before (August ‘09). It’s another Drops pattern, 112-26. As of last night, the back is about 10 rows from being finished.

The yarn for this one is Lerici Fein, by Schoeller & Stahl, a cotton and acrylic blend that is wonderfully soft and drapey. It’s knit on 4.0 mm needles and, after working on 3 mm needles, is working up very quickly. I’m making the 3/4 sleeve version. I think this will be just right as a spring/summer cardigan.

This week, I also ordered some yarn to make a couple of special little sweaters. More on that, though, when the yarn comes in.

Before I finish up and hit the “publish” button, I just want to wish my daughter, Kristen, a very happy 31st birthday. It’s her birthday today. Happy Birthday, sweetheart… we love you and hope your day, and your year, are as special as you are.