IntSweMoDo2010 #25

Dec. 26: Found a perfect dress for my Calendula :)

Dec.11: Finally did the full wet blocking (originally it was lightly sprayed with water and let dry as I did not have time) and took new pictures. It grew a bit in length, and I like it even more now.

Started on Sunday, Nov. 26th, knit the yoke and frogged it. So, actual knitting took place Monday through Friday nights, which was totally insane.

Some of my notes -

Mods:

• Changed the yoke increases from kfb to m1, right- and left-slanted. While kfb increases are OK for the sleeves, while not my favorites, they create uneven fronts on the body. after the stitches are picked up for the fronts, there is a clear difference between right and left side. You’ll have a one row between plackets and increases on one side, and two rows on the other. May not bother some, but I like symmetry, especially on most visible parts of my knitting;
• Eliminated an awkward one st BO for the the first row of sleeves by not doing the very last decreases on the yoke (1st and last increase). If to follow the pattern, you would increase on one row, then do a decrease one row later;
• Knit the pocket section 4 rows shorter to make a petite version;
• The final I-cord bind-off was done not by casting on 3 stitches, but rather by using 3 stitches from one slipped-stitch front side edge, then grafting to the other after I-cord was knit. Really liked the effect, you can see it on multiple pictures.

I wish I did not do the slipped-stitch edge. It does not match the I-cord on the neck, but that’s my personal opinion. Also, found odd that a different number of stitches are picked from the plackets for the same sizes, but different versions. Again, not a biggie.

All and all, very happy with this FO. The yarn was pleasure to knit with. It’s thick and thin at times, so it doe not produce very even stockinette fabric, but it’s so soft and velvety to the touch.

The cardigan is the perfect piece for one of my favorite tops by Milly of New York.