Test-knit for Anne B. Hanssen - Stellata cardigan
Deadline : May 14th

Size 36”, gauge : 23sts x 32rows per 4” square

---------------------Mods---------------------

I added about 3” at the bottom knitted seamlessly once I had sewn the front and back together.

Also, did not do the collar “point” at the back, so I simply bound off all stitches together instead of 2 every 2 rows.

---------------------Yarn---------------------

It’s my first time working with Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy, I really like it so far. It has a really nice feel to it, very natural, and has a nice drape. The yarn is also very strong, it doesn’t break or split. I machine washed my swatch and it turned out just fine, so I’m guessing this yarn will create very durable garments.

----------------For next time----------------

• Work both fronts and back together seamlessly from the bottom up, until the start of the sleeve increases
• Divide front and back
• Work the sleeve increases of both fronts until I reach the cast-on row for the neck. DO NOT CAST ON.
• Work both left and right collar straight, Then bind off together using a 3 needle bind off.
• Pick the sleeves back up, then pick up stitches along the collar edge instead of casting on.
• Finish the sleeve decreases, then attach to the back with kitcheners st.
• Sew the bottom of the sleeves, weave in the ends and block.

This could also be worked from the top down, with a provisonnal cast-on at the neck edge

--------------Sweater Progress--------------

16/04/2015
Just got the pattern, I will read it carefully to get a feel of how it’s constructed before starting.

25/04/2015
I swatched using 4mm needles but I got only 21sts per 4” square, I guess I’m a loose knitter. I’ll try a second swatch with 3.5mm needles.

29/04/2015
Swatch on 3.5mm needles turned out perfect, so that’s what I’ll use. I started both the fronts on a provisonnal cast on since I plan to add length to the body. The pattern is well written so far, and the cardigan has a very interesting construction. I’m just starting the waist decreases.

03/05/2015
I finished the waist shaping for both front pieces, and I will start the sleeve/collar increases tonight. Pretty smooth so far, the pattern is easy to understand and fun to knit.

05/05/2015
Got confused working the sleeve increases and made a mistake, so I had to rip it and start over. I had to copy paste the left front and right front instructions into a new document and organise them in a table, it goes much better now. I really don’t do so good with endless written patterns; I understand tables, charts and schematics much better.

07/05/2015
I completed the sleeve increases. Yay!

17/05/2015
The sleeve decreases are done, now let’s work the stockinette st back!

31/05/2015
I finished the collar and worked all the seams. The cardigan is ready to be washed!