Monday, August 23, 2010

Playful Stripes Cardigan

As you can tell, this weekend was a weekend for finishing things. Next up is the Playful Stripes Cardigan.



This was another baby garment I knit up as a sample for Alana of Never Not Knitting. As always, her patterns are very straightforward and easy to follow (and also very beautiful to look at).  The body of the sweater is done in one piece, from the bottom up. The sleeves are worked flat then knit onto the body of the sweater. I love knitting garments that don't require a lot of assembly. Genius! 

There are several finishing techniques used in this pattern that most beginners probably haven't used. The sleeves are seamed up using mattress stitch and the armholes are grafted using Kitchner stitch. This was my first time using mattress stitch on any knitted piece and while I had to do the first sleeve twice ("why don't these blasted stitches match up?"), I am thoroughly pleased with the end result! I had heard a lot of people complain about this finishing technique and I really cant understand why. It really isn't difficult once you figure it out (use markers and line up those stitches people!). Also, I steam blocked the sleeves first so the edges would lay flat as I seamed. And look how nicely it all lined up:




My favorite part of this garment just may be the picot edging and stripes. I really love the color combination Alana chose for this piece. Also, I think that the buttons I chose do a good job of reflecting the colors of the garment. For this baby sweater I used five 5/8", square, abalone shell buttons. They seem to be pretty yet playful. 


The beauty of this cardigan is in its simplicity. It's the garter stripes and the sweet picot edging that make it such a special piece.




Pattern: Playful Stripes Cardigan by Alana Dakos
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, 2 skeins of main color and just smidges of the rest
Size: 6 months
Needles: #3 and #4
Began: August 13
Completed: August 22

13 comments:

  1. Beautiful! Now I don't know which I like best, this one or the one with the deer buttons!!

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  2. So precious! I love the square buttons next to the curved yoke.

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  3. Aww, so cute! I will definitely have to check out the pattern.

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  4. BOTH of them are just wonderful! You did a great job!

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  5. That is really pretty - good work :-)

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  6. LOVE it! so cute! Great job as always!!

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  7. Love, love, love, this sweater!!

    (Note to SusanB-knits the buttons are moose not deer...I'm from Montana and have moose, deer, antelope, and buffalo heads in my family room. Sadly, I can tell the difference with my eyes shut! Not MY idea of interior decorating!!)

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  8. i absolutely love this and will try to make one at some point. it's a must. your work is so gorgeous!!

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  9. Oof, my ovaries! You were right about this being so cute that it makes for some baby aching. ;)

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  10. oh this is just beautiful. Love your seams, so perfect.

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  11. Beautiful job Andrea! Thank you!

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  12. Gosh, Andrea...very nice knitting. You've got some "mad" seaming skills as well.

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