Finished: Sienna Cardigan

25Nov06

I have been knitting off and on for five or so years now, but earlier this month I finally finished my first real sweater. I made a sweater vest last winter, but it didn’t have sleeves, so that doesn’t really count, in my mind.

Pattern: Sienna Cardigan by Ann E. Smith, Interweave Knits Fall 2006
Yarn: Knit Picks Andean Silk in Barn Red (~13 balls originally purchased for the Jolie Cardigan in Rowan’s Vintage Knits, which I decided I didn’t want to make after all.)
Needles: US 9 Brittany birch straight and US 9 Addi Turbo 24″ circular
Modifications: I changed the cuffs to a 2×2 rib, and I think the arms especially had fewer rows than required due to problems with gauge.

Well, it actually looks like a cardigan, which is the most important part. It’s a little larger than I had hoped and the ribbing tends to make me look particularly lumpy when it’s buttoned, but it does fit. I could have got away with knitting the smallest size, though.

I thought my gauge was on, but apparently not! My row gauge must have been especially off. There is less of the final, partial repeat of the fagot lace on the front than in the pattern pictures because the sweater was getting too long, and I also had to remove a row or two from the sleeves, which are also on the long side. I think another blocking may help with some of the fit issues, but I’m lazy and blocking just isn’t my favorite thing.

Anyway, I was pleased with the pattern overall. It was easy to follow, and all the stockinette stitch meant it went pretty quickly. I think this took about three weeks to finish. The button band and collar, which I thought would be most complicated, didn’t give me any trouble. The buttons I used are brown leather.

Set-in sleeves were also a new challenge, and the shoulder-seam area is a bit on the lumpy side. But, overall, it wasn’t a complete disaster.

I liked the Knit Picks yarn fairly well, enough that I’m using it for my next sweater, too. Of course, the price is obviously a big incentive. The only other yarn of theirs that I’ve used so far is Essential sock yarn, but I like that much less. Too scratchy, and socks require so little yarn that I don’t mind splurging for something more expensive.

Filed under: 2006 Finished Projects   |  1 Comment
Tags: sienna cardigan