Cardigan

I promised to write a proper post about an FO that has been complete for several months now but it seemed I was either wearing it with no one around to photo it, or the room needed painting, or the light was poor, or our new camera needed getting used to, etc.

Finally, here is my version of the Harvest Moon cardigan pattern on Ravelry. Sorry for the blurry photo, but we are still figuring out the new camera!

 

I originally chose this pattern for several reasons, firstly because although I often enjoy making up my own projects, I was planning travel knitting and I like to include other people's patterns because it's a fun change to occasionally knit without thinking about the design process. 

I needed a plain cardigan for everyday wear, and selected three rather basic-looking options.  The clincher for this one was that I had the exact yarn in my stash already, Berroco's Blackstone Tweed in color #2607/ Wintry Mix.

Also, top-down construction is a favorite method of mine allowing you to knit-to-fit easily, and the I-cord borders add a clean finished edge. 

I chose to make my yoke a couple of stitches larger to accommodate my linebacker shoulders, then knit the rest of the bodice in my size and this worked very well for me.  

A few other simple mods included knitting the sleeves 2" longer to accommodate my albatross wingspan, and knitting the bodice down until it was about 9 " before beginning the pockets, for a custom fit.



Some folks on Ravelry have noted having a difficult time with the pockets and they can be a bit tricky.  One tip I picked up in garment design and construction is to always prepare your materials before beginning, and I applied this to my cardigan by blocking the entire pocket area flat and square before stitching them down.  

This way the stitches line up properly and behave when you sew on the pocket garter edge bands and sew up the seams, ensuring that they're flat and straight and that you are working up a single column of knitting.  

I also blocked the entire cardigan again, after knitting was complete.

I had a terrible time finding a button I liked and although I don't love this carved bone one, it will do until I find something perhaps a little more interesting.  It is a good idea to choose buttons when you select yarn for a project, especially with a top-down style, as this allows you to alter buttonhole size and technique, if necessary.

I've heard and read mixed thoughts on this style - a cardigan that buttons with one to three buttons near the top, allowing the rest of the body to hang open.  Some people seem to think they are flattering and others completely disagree.

While I think that some disagreement in opinion is simply a matter of personal style and taste, I also think that some of it may have to do with how the garment fits the wearer.

Since most women have hips that are the same size or larger than their bust measurement, an unbuttoned cardigan hem measuring the same circumference as the bust will naturally pull open around the hips.  This effect is especially pronounced when the shoulders or bust are knit too tight.

A cardigan that is pulled open at the bottom by the hips creates a triangle with a wide base and this will naturally draw the eye to that expanse of belly and possibly make it appear more prominent.

Choosing a proper size for shoulders and bust, and modifying a cardigan to skim the hip and waist area by adding a few stitches to the circumference towards the bottom (if necessary), adds a bit of breathing room called 'ease'.  This helps allow the cardigan to hang gracefully from the bust and shoulders, making a narrower opening over the stomach area, and creates a flattering, vertical line up the front. 

Of course, everyone is shaped differently and likes their sweaters to fit their personal style and comfort level - something I celebrate!  

Until next time, peace, blessings and happy knitting to you!