I just don't have it in me to come up with a clever post today, but I do have a new sweater hot off the needles that I wanted to share. I'm amazed at how focusing on one or two projects at a time gets things done faster. I've had this Rib and Cable cardi on my needles since August, but have only worked on it sporadically. I think part of the issue was that it is knit in black yarn (boring, but it goes with just about everything, and I really needed a new black cardi) in 4x4 ribbing. So, for a knitter who gets the majority of her knitting done at night after the wee ones go to bed, this project wasn't always the best choice.
I also hit a few small snags along the way. First, as I was about halfway through the second sleeve, I realized that there was no way I would have enough yarn to finish up the rest of the sleeve, not to mention the collar. It was frustrating, because the pattern stated that it would take 10 skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK to make the smallest size. This is the size I made, with the very same yarn suggested in the pattern. I had a bag of 10 skeins of the Cashmerino DK sitting in my stash, waiting for the right project, and then this book came along this summer, and I knew they would be perfect together. I was getting ready to email the shop I had originally purchased the yarn from, to see if I could get a single ball of Cashmerino, when it occurred to me to check on Ravelry. Wouldn't you know it, there was another knitter there who had a single ball of black Cashmerino DK that was marked for sale or trade. Even better, it was from the very same dyelot! A few emails later, and I had the yarn to complete my sweater. Then, as I finished the sweater, I realized that I had no buttons for it. I couldn't find what I wanted locally, so I had to order some buttons and wait for them to arrive in the mail. I sewed the buttons on yesterday (all twelve of them), and voila!, a new cardigan.
The Details:
Pattern: Rib and Cable Cardigan from Family Knits by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK in black, 11 skeins
Size: small (34-36")
Needles: 3.75mm Pony rosewood circulars
Time to knit: sometime in August, to 12 December 2007
Modifications: The only thing I did was lengthen the sleeves by 1/2", because I wanted them to come down slightly past bracelet length. They came out exactly the way I wanted.
Overall, I'm extremely happy with this cardi. It fits perfectly, and can be worn with practically anything. It is extremely comfortable, and very warm. My only concern is that this yarn will pill like mad. Even while I was working with the yarn, it showed signs of wear. I've never used this yarn before, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't wind up looking like absolute crap after just a few wearings. If anyone else has any insight into how well this yarn holds up, I'd love to hear about it.
All of this focusing has helped me finish not only this cardi, but another pair of socks as well. Right before I sat down to write this post, I wove in the last end on my second Loksins! sock. Unfortunately, it's dark right now, and the photos I attempted didn't come out very well. I did get some without using the flash, but it took a very long exposure to let enough light get into the lens so that the details showed up. Of course, that long exposure requires remaining completely motionless for the duration of the shutter opening, and I can't sit still for more than a second, so all of the photos were blurry. I guess the socks will have to wait until tomorrow. Until then, if you're looking for something to do while surfing around the internet, you can hop on over to my shop and check out the huge update I did last night. There is a ton of the new superwash wool/nylon blend sock yarn, like I used for my Gentleman's Fancy Socks, some alpaca/merino/silk roving, as well as a few skeins of handspun. </shameless plug>
It looks *beautiful* on you. Congratulations!
Posted by: sprite | 12/14/2007 at 08:28 AM
Wow - what a flattering piece! Hope it stands up to the wear and tear, I know I'd be wearing it all the time!
Posted by: PumpkinMama | 12/14/2007 at 01:06 PM
I think it looks absolutely wonderful on you!
Posted by: Carole | 12/14/2007 at 01:25 PM
That is a beautiful sweater and it looks fantastic on you! That's amazing that you were able to find yarn from the same dyelot. I love the things in your shop - you've been busy!
Posted by: Beth | 12/14/2007 at 02:55 PM
what a great sweater! Perfect for anything!
And the fit - wow. I am sitting here wishing that you lived next door to have helped me with the Hervor sweater I just finished... (post will come soon)
Love what you are doing on your itsy shop - wow. I hope that after the holidays I will be able to get back on schedule with all my spinning and knitting.
Have a safe journey home.
Posted by: Teyani | 12/14/2007 at 03:09 PM
It's absolutely beautiful!!!
Posted by: Hege | 12/14/2007 at 07:28 PM
Oh, it's perfect and gorgeous! I haven't used that yarn before so I don't know how it holds up. Enjoy your newest sweater!
Posted by: Karen | 12/15/2007 at 01:21 AM
Rachel, that is probably my all time favorite of all the sweaters I've seen you knit, and I have many favorites in that group. You do some beautiful work, my dear!
Posted by: Leah | 12/15/2007 at 03:41 AM
Absolutely gorgeous cardigan! I love the blackness, the buttons, little cables, collar - everything about it!
Posted by: Pat | 12/15/2007 at 04:09 AM
I *love* that sweater! You will get tons of wear out of it; I hope the yarn holds up!
Posted by: elizabeth | 12/15/2007 at 04:32 AM
Gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Lori | 12/15/2007 at 04:38 AM
I love it! And what a great "Ravelry to the Rescue" story - this gives me a little more incentive to sort my stash and leftovers out and get them cataloged. Don't hold your breath though. :D
Posted by: Emily | 12/15/2007 at 05:20 AM
The cardigan is fabulous!!
Posted by: knittingphilistine | 12/15/2007 at 05:49 AM
Oh, that is so cute! It really did turn out perfectly, and the fit is great. I'll bet that Cashmerino is super soft and cozy, too. What a lovely FO.
Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog) | 12/15/2007 at 07:19 AM
This is beautiful on you! Perfect fit.
Posted by: tiennie | 12/15/2007 at 07:24 AM
What a beautiful cardigan you made Rachel. I hope it doesn't pill, but if it does, you can buy a stone at Knitpicks that will take the pills off. Can't wait to see your new socks. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
It won't be long now before you take off for the States with the kids :) I know all three of you will love the trip. Possibly you could take a little care package with you with things the kids like to do to keep them busy on the flight.
Posted by: Jan | 12/15/2007 at 10:21 AM
What a beautiful cardigan you made Rachel. I hope it doesn't pill, but if it does, you can buy a stone at Knitpicks that will take the pills off. Can't wait to see your new socks. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
It won't be long now before you take off for the States with the kids :) I know all three of you will love the trip. Possibly you could take a little care package with you with things the kids like to do to keep them busy on the flight.
Posted by: Jan | 12/15/2007 at 10:22 AM
that's gorgeous!!!! Long time no talk. How are you doing?
Posted by: Uli | 12/15/2007 at 11:23 AM
I love that sweater. Wonderful... I've just been knitting a few months and that sweater looks well out of my reach! Wow!!
Posted by: HobbyMommy | 12/15/2007 at 12:31 PM
The cardigan is beautiful. I love the ribbing with those touches of cable. Very pretty. I'm not sure I could have done it in black though - the lighting in my apartment just isn't that good!
Posted by: Macoco | 12/18/2007 at 03:12 AM
I got to see this in person! It looks great on you live and even in the photo :)
Posted by: Dina | 12/19/2007 at 05:15 AM
I love your sweater! It's just beautiful! I've only used Cashmerino once and it was for a baby garment that saw regular use and washing. I was disappointed with how it pilled and fuzzed but the constant use was asking a lot of it, I suppose. I hope yours wears well!
Posted by: Elinor | 01/17/2008 at 02:33 AM
OMG! That sweater is stunning! I'm speachless that that is a pricture of your sweater and not the highly styled photo from a catalog. Very inspiring to know real people make sweaters like that.
Posted by: Emma | 01/20/2008 at 09:59 AM
Which Debbie Bliss "Family Knits" book? She seems to have two different books by the same name.
Posted by: Emma | 01/20/2008 at 10:02 AM
I knit a pair of beaudelaire's in August 06 in DB cashmerino and they did pill like mad, but only for a while. And it doesn't really affect the durability or appearance of the knitting either.
I've still got the socks, they've been washed and worn a million times and I've worn holes in the soles of the feet. BUT, the yarn stopped pilling ages ago, the fuzz has long gone, and there is no apparent wear on the rest of the socks. In fact, they still look great.
So take heart, the pilling will stop and the cardigan will still look as good as new.
Posted by: Ailsa | 02/15/2008 at 11:18 AM