FO: Millefiori Cardi

Pattern: Millefiori Cardigan by Andrea Pomerantz
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft DK
Needles: US 5 and US 4

I'm very pleased with the way this cardi turned out. The cute button band and the 3/4-length sleeves orginally sold me on making this sweater.

The clam section gave me fits at first, but once you get rolling it's a pretty fun stitch. I loved how the buttons were inserted - very clever.

I did make a few mods to the pattern. I knit the length as given, but when I pinned together and tried on I was not happy with the length between the shoulders and the armhole shaping. I shortened from 8" to about 7 1/4" and that did the trick. Then I had to adjust the sleeve cap a little.

I chose to knit the sleeves flat, not in the round. I try to avoid knitting with dpn when not absolutely necessary and I didn't have a circular small enough. So, I knit boths sleeves at once adding a stitch at both ends of each sleeve to allow for seaming.

My gauge was slightly less than given in the pattern using the Cashsoft DK, which was what I was hoping for. I knit the 36 1/4 size, but I was aiming for between a 33 and 34. My row gauge was also less than that given, which impacted the button band spacing.

I can see why the model in the pattern is pulling at the sweater. I blocked the heck out of the clam section, but it still isn't as open as I would have liked.

Overall, I'm very happy with the end result. the pattern was well written and easy to follow. I think I'll be wearing this piece a lot over the next few months.

Proof: I'm not the only one who appreciates the smell of good fiber

Vintage Car Coat

Pattern: Vintage Car Coat from The little Sublime hand knit book
Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly baby bamboo

This adorable sweater took a lot longer to complete than I had expected. This little guy (my youngest) is one. However, after measuring him carefully (and some of his clothes) I decided to make the 6 to 12 month size for him.

The sweater itself knit up very quickly. I seamed the shoulders together and tried it on. It fit him well. Then I seamed in the sleeves. After that everything went downhill. The sleeves were more than an inch too long. I fixed those and tried it on again. The sleeves were so long that I didn't even notice the body of the sweater was about two inches too short! Without shaping for the sleeves I didn't realize how much of the length the sleeves would take up and after they were sewed in the body was too short.

Thank goodness the sweater only had a rolled hem. I picked up stitches purlwise and was able to add just enough length and still match the width of the front borders.

The yarn is another story too. It feels and looks great, but I worry that it won't hold its shape. At this point I can't see using this yarn again for that reason.

All that said, I really do like how the sweater turned out. I just love all the patterns in The little Sublime hand knit book.

Millefiori Cardi

When the Interweave Knits Spring 2009 preview came out I was immediately drawn to the Millefiori Cardigan by Andrea Pomerantz.

Although I love the cute button band and the 3/4 sleeves, I think it was the color that sold me on the sweater. I've been looking for a cardi in that color for Spring. And, I had just enough Rowan Rowan RYC Cashsoft DK in a similar color left from another project.

I got gauge easily so I cast on. The twisted rib went smoothly and I like the effect. Then I came to the clam-stitch detail. All progress came to an abrupt halt. I don't know what my problem was with that stitch. At one point I decided I was going to insert another pattern into that section. However, I decided I was going to overcome my frustration and stick it out. I did triumph and I'm glad I stuck it out. Now I think I could do that pattern in my sleep!

For the clam stitch alone I would not recommend this pattern for a novice knitter. You have to be comfortable with yarn overs in front of knit and purl stitches to be able to do the stitch. And, you have to keep track of your stitches closely through the section.

Other than my trials with the clam stitch I like how the sweater is coming along. It should be easy going now ... until I get to the clam stitch on the front panels anyway!

The verdict is in ... they're identical!

I could hardly wait for UPS to deliver my package today! I just had to find out if my suspicions were right ... and they were!! Woo Hoo! Queensland Collection Uruguay DK and Valley Yarns Northfield are a match!

That's very good news because Uruguay DK has been discontinued. And, there's even better news! At $4.99 per skein, Webs' Valley Yarns Northfield, is less expensive than Uruguay DK was, especially if your purchase qualifies for the Webs discount.

Valley Yarns Northfield is a new yarn for Webs and it comes in many beautiful colors.

It's going to be hard to give over this yarn over to my Mom this weekend! I hope to order my own in Balsam soon.

For now, I'll be swatching Valley Yarn Colrain Lace in Ocean Blue hoping I'll get gauge for The Zickzack Tunic by Melissa Wehlre in Interweave Knits Spring 2009 issue.