WIP it, WIP it good baby! It is a new year and I'm FINISHING my projects!
Lion Neck Cardigan from Wendy Benard's Custom Knits
* Rowan Alpaca Soft (alpaca and cotton boucle)
* Size 40" on US 10's.
* Knit to pattern. Top down construction with picked up stitches for ruffle. Omitted front tie.
After a record warm spell through most of January we finally got some rain today! Finished this sweater on Monday, but couldn't find a rational excuse for a public debut until knitting group on Weds night. Wearing a big baggy gray cardigan when it's 80F id's you as a bag lady to anyone other than fellow knitters. Today's stormy skies make this look and feel perfect.
I hereby declare this is the last sweater I will knit sized by bust measurement. The design purposely doesn't meet in the front center (she uses ties to bridge the gap, but I like my pin), so that part is made to pattern, but the shoulders are too big and the underarm holes too deep for me. Given the slouchy style of this sweater I'm OK with it, but customizing is the new order.
The yarn is super cozy and the color makes me very happy. Nice that something does, because my new bottom braces (not visible here, but very much felt) are lacerating my mouth this week. I'm knitting to occupy my mind because talking and eating hold no appeal. The whole mess is due off in October and trust me, the days are being crossed off my calendar like a kid counting down 'til Christmas!
Lovely pin! That sweater looks like a big hug. Definitely not your size, and I'm used to seeing you in more figure-flattering, fitted sweaters. Still, it's very pretty, and looks super comfy...like a big hug!
Posted by: marissa | February 06, 2009 at 05:30 PM
Looks pretty fancy, Nancy!!! I like it. You'll get a lot of use out of it. Not everything has to be totally fitted. We need comfort!
Posted by: Maria | February 06, 2009 at 06:46 PM
I love it, it looks great with the jeans and would look great with a casual skirt. The pin is a great idea, gives you the possibility to tie it up higher or lower. And that quilt looks great on the wall. Thanks for sharing. Danielle
Posted by: danielle | February 06, 2009 at 07:16 PM
I love the sweater. It looks fabulous. I have the Custom Knits book, and hopefully will one day be able to make something out of it! LOL
Posted by: MichelleB | February 06, 2009 at 08:27 PM
Looks wonderful. Sometimes slouchy is good.
Posted by: Katie | February 07, 2009 at 01:12 AM
Like the look of the huggable jacket! I knitted one this time last year and have only worn it twice! Too hot for the spring/summer and on days when it was cold enough to wear, it was raining! But I love it when I slip it on! It has a very comforting safe feel and I am sure yours will too. Love the quilt on the back wall.
Posted by: alisonb2 | February 07, 2009 at 07:09 AM
Great sweater, but I'm with you re sweater pattern sizes. If we are going to handknit our clothes, they might as well fit our bodies. For your poor mouth, try a mouthwash made with tea tree oil. Hope the misery does not last until October.
Posted by: Abby | February 07, 2009 at 08:37 AM
I think you did a great job.
Posted by: pam | February 07, 2009 at 02:02 PM
I love it!
Posted by: SpiderWomanKnits | February 08, 2009 at 06:10 AM
I really like this sweater. It looks so comfy and I love the color. You are on fire, well done you!
Posted by: Julie | February 08, 2009 at 09:17 AM
I'm interested in your pin. I'm slowly, Slow-ly, making Shadowing Knitting Kimono by Vivian Hoxbro and will need a pin. Did you find it on a great on-line site? Congratulations on finishing!!! Looks comfy.
Posted by: Louise Snitz | February 08, 2009 at 09:00 PM
Beautiful sweater! Looks very soft and wearable.....and I LOVE your quilt.
Posted by: Ronni | February 10, 2009 at 03:41 AM
I totally LOVE this sweater and am wishing I could make something like that myself!
Posted by: Lisa Clarke | February 10, 2009 at 05:36 PM
Beautiful sweater! It looks great on you and I like the color too. :-)
Posted by: Jaime | February 12, 2009 at 01:06 AM
I love the sweater and the way you added the pin - beautiful!
Posted by: Jody | February 12, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Aha, I think I just found my first sweater for Knit 3 Wear 3. Love it!
Posted by: Tracey | February 13, 2009 at 01:19 AM
Beautiful!
Congratulions!
Kisses from Brasil!
Bye!
Posted by: Eliane | February 14, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Wonderful!!!!
I’m looking for the pattern to knit Loppem…
I’m a french knitter and in France, Berroco is not avalaible.
I find your Loppem absolutely wonderful… Many congratulations!!!!
Please!!!! could you send me a copy of the pattern by email?
I will be very happy and I would be very grateful to you for it… I can send you many pattern in exchange: Phildar, Bergere de france etc…
Forgiveness if I bother you, sorry, but Loppem is in my head , and I can’t forget it ;o))
Many Thanks, and A lot of kisses from France!!!!
Valérie
Posted by: Valérie | February 15, 2009 at 02:35 AM
I love the sweater - it looks just gorgeous (and so do you!), I love the colour and look of the yarn with the pattern (and the quilt is the best background) it is hard to get just the right amount of flouncy trim - and that pattern just gets it perfectly, very fabulously fabulous. I am a huge fan of things that close with pins too - you don't have to choose buttons, they "fit" no matter how much you ate last night, and you can adjust the fit to hide tomato soup stains that have splattered down your tummy (I don't know how I know these things.... or how the latest soup splatter got down there, hmmmm).
Posted by: juliet | February 15, 2009 at 06:53 AM
The sweater is just beautiful! And I'd agree, by bust size, my arms are too short ;)
Posted by: Risa | February 23, 2009 at 10:59 AM
This question is way off topic. I found on Ravelry that you've made Zoe Mellor's Bunny Jacket. (Looks fabulous) How did you work the bunny motif? Intarsia? Stranded? Duplicate stitch? Or a combination?
Thanks, nancyknots on Ravelry, or email to nancyDOTfletchATgmailDOTcom
Posted by: NancyKnots | February 23, 2009 at 02:49 PM
Might need to knit that for myself! Yours looks so great:)
Posted by: Jeanie | February 23, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Your version of the sweater looks better than the one in the book! I love that shade of gray. And if I knit it I will feel forewarned about the armhole fit.
Posted by: Libby | May 21, 2009 at 06:23 PM
I just started knitting the sweater in a wool/mohair marled yarn. At first the increase rows stumped me (I've never done a top down pattern).
But, I think I have it now! Will keep in mind your comments, thanks!
Posted by: Judy | July 28, 2009 at 07:27 PM
What a pity I miss seeing all those gorgeous knits! Thanks for sharing the photos.
Posted by: Jordans 2 | June 06, 2010 at 07:15 PM