Yup, more knitting.
The title during this test knit was Under the Sea Cardigan, but it was ultimately published as Down the Sloquet River (available for purchase on Ravelry). I just referred to it in my head as the Bulky Lacy Cardigan. Obviously, I'm not always creative in my naming!
The title during this test knit was Under the Sea Cardigan, but it was ultimately published as Down the Sloquet River (available for purchase on Ravelry). I just referred to it in my head as the Bulky Lacy Cardigan. Obviously, I'm not always creative in my naming!
Yarn
Filatura Di Crosa Air Wool, an unfortunately discontinued yarn. It's a merino-acrylic blend, machine washable and super squishy-soft. I really enjoyed working with it. This is actually one of two cardigans I've made with this yarn, which was gifted to me by my wonderful knitting buddy (more on the other cardigan later). It's a very soft purple-grey color, and since Sarah doesn't wear purple, it got passed along. I love it!
Honestly, the biggest downside to this yarn was trying to find buttons to coordinate with the color. Silver looked off, and black or white buttons were too stark. I ended up using shell buttons for both cardigans. Since there were so many soft pastel colors on the buttons, they coordinated beautifully with the pastel yarn.
Honestly, the biggest downside to this yarn was trying to find buttons to coordinate with the color. Silver looked off, and black or white buttons were too stark. I ended up using shell buttons for both cardigans. Since there were so many soft pastel colors on the buttons, they coordinated beautifully with the pastel yarn.
Altogether, I used just about 300 yds for this sweater. Yay for super bulky yarns!
Pattern
The cardigan is a top-down, seamless, cables-and-lace pattern. And you know me - I love my cables and lace. So of course, this was a test knit I had to sign up for.
The set up at the top is a little involved - I had to undo my neck several times to get the short-row shaping correct - but once you get past that, the pattern is very straightforward. The fiddliest parts are at the cable crosses across the lace. Just be careful not to drop your stitches!! Don't ask me how I know... :)
The set up at the top is a little involved - I had to undo my neck several times to get the short-row shaping correct - but once you get past that, the pattern is very straightforward. The fiddliest parts are at the cable crosses across the lace. Just be careful not to drop your stitches!! Don't ask me how I know... :)
The sizing does offer a good bit of ease, since it's so lacy. To give you an idea, my cardigan measured 16 inches across the chest (32 inches around). The chest size I usually knit is 36/37, or thereabouts. So, yes, this is a very stretch, very forgiving pattern. A nice plus, in my opinion. Part of the reason I like lacy patterns - even the more form-fitting designs are relatively stretchy and giving in their sizing :)
Raveled here.
Notes, Alterations, Observations, etc.
It helps to go through first and circle all numbers related to your size first. I know this is a good rule of thumb anyways, but it REALLY helps on this pattern. Each size has slightly different stitch counts in fitting the pattern, and no one size is too complex, i.e. the knitting itself isn't too bad. However, there are a lot of sizes that this sweater is designed for, and it makes for a very big pattern file (I got it electronically for the test knit). With so many sizes in the pattern and each with their own stitch counts, you don't want to make a mistake and end up following the wrong size. So, save time and headache and make note of your size in the directions before you make a mistake and have to frog it all.
And on that note, remember to use your lifelines. I mentioned that the cable crosses in the lace are fiddly, right?
And on that note, remember to use your lifelines. I mentioned that the cable crosses in the lace are fiddly, right?
Only one change to the pattern for me. I did one less lace repeat through the body. (A) I was running out of yarn and (B) it was long enough (I'm not exactly long-waisted). The sweater grew a little with blocking anyways - that whole lace-is-forgiving thing - so there wasn't really the need either. Not a critical change, but one to note.
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