Update: Since I test-knit this pattern it has been revised and knit by others, so I think the bugs are worked out. I wear this cardo all the time.

I admired this cabled cardigan ever since Galina knit it. I wanted to knit something more fitted but that still kept her beautiful designs.

My yarn was a variety of colours and shades. I had some with lots of brown, and 1 skein without any brown at all. Saved the nicest yarn for the front, although that meant a lot of alternating, including the sleeves, which isn’t as clean as alternating in stockinette.

My row gauge is 24 row/4 inches - as per the pattern. My stitch gauge is a bit bigger 16.5/4 inches. I’m going to knit the back in size S, as there is loads of ease.

Cabling without a needle is essential, in my opinion for this.

Mods:

• decreased 8 stitches from the back and 2 from each front - too much positive ease.
• first shaping decrease is row 15 of chart - 16th row from beginning.
• decreased at 16, 32 42, 52, 62, 72 then 82, otherwise the decreases go past the waist. I wanted all my decreases to end before the bust.
• second Cable 1 needs to start on row 3, as we already have 2 extra stitches from the first Cable 1. Row 3 of Cable 1 chart = row 75 of instructions.
• kept RC going every 4th row during shoulder shaping for back and left front.
• ran out of space for the top of Cable II in the front due to armhole decreases, so winged it.
• picked up 104 stitches for collar instead of 132. There is no way I could get 132, and 104 ended up loose anyway.

Sew seams using the mattress stitch for reverse stockinette.

Sleeve: 85 rows then started cable pattern. Bound off after row 30, as the sleeve was getting to be too long.

Cabling on my right front and cuffs does not match Galina’s. Undoubtedly operator error. Decided to proceed anyway.

Bottom pic shows why my knits are full of hair!

I gave this 4 stars and a closed-mouth smiley face given the difficulties with the pattern, which have now been fixed.