Thursday 27 March 2008

New Cardigan

I have finally finished knitting a lovely cardigan for myself in "DB - Cathay".



Hmm - you wouldn't think I'd bocked it would you? The dishcloth presentation is an attempt to hide a join in the yarn on the inside of the back. I've recently become a well behaved knitter in the I join new balls at the edge of the piece.

I still haven't overcome the reluctance to go back to the edge when I find a join in the yarn, once I'm halfway along a row. It's bloody annoying. The thing is... I'm pretty good at hiding the join when you look at it from the right side of the piece, but when you have an open cardi like this one, the knot is glaringly obvious when you take it off. So, I won't be able to take it off at work and leave it on a chair, because I'll be embarrassed by the shoddy workmanship.

Oh well, I'll just have to cook if it gets too hot!

I'm really pleased that I've finally made myself something in "Cathay" - the BF's first Christmas jumper was in this yarn and it's so soft.

One major error I made when knitting this was - I forgot to switch from 3.25mm needles to 3.75 so it hasn't got the same drape as it would have. It's amazing the difference that 0.5mmm makes to the finished garment. However, I quite like this stiffer feel to fabric.

The next stage for the cardigan is a little more sewing... as it's the "Ribbon-edged cardigan" from the "DB - Cathay" book. So, I've bought this lovely stuff



...to sew around the sleeves and the neck edge. The pattern required organza ribbon but I popped into "Wool" in Stockport to ask if they sold ribbon, and the very nice lady pointed me to the "Louisa Harding - Sari Ribbon".

I don't know whether I've broken my stashalong rule? I needed ribbon and I've bought ribbon... but it's a skein of ribbon... at 60metres... but it's probably better value than buying 3.5m of organza ribbon (is it?) as it was only £3... and it compliments the colour of the cardigan perfectly.

Anyway, I shall start sewing tonight at the knitting group. Meanwhile, I've also started this...

It's another "Tulip" (Rowan 41) in a lovely shade of red. I liked the first one I made so much, that I decided I wanted another one. Is that terribly unimaginative of me?



I find this a nice, easy and fast knit - a good way to use up the stash!

And, it's the last "Ashes to Ashes" tonight. I've enjoyed it but it's just not as good as "Life on Mars". Gene Hunt still rocks, though.

1 comment:

Kai said...

Love the cardi! Looks smashing. Know what you mean about the finishing too. I've since learnt that joining at side seams is so much more practical! :)