This pattern got my attention from the very beginning. Had only 10 skeins of Summer Tweed in my stash, so I started knitting following the smallest size and the short version. Knowing the tendency of Sumner Tweed to grow, I was not worried about it being too snug. After finishing the first skein though, I realized that the cardigan will take less than 10 skeins, therefore I decided to lengthen it. By pure luck, after adding some, what seamed like “good enough”, length, I had just enough yarn to finish the sleeves. In fact, there are only a few scraps left. That always makes me feel good :)
The cardigan for being over sized, long, with no shaping still will be one of the favorites! It’ very comfy and cozy!

Notes:

• even though I cast on 77 st for the back as per pattern, I did not follow the instructions on how to knit the basketweave stitch, but rather did the following k4, p3, k3,…., p3, k4. First and last stitch would be the selvage ones, I knit them in pattern. Also adjusted the fronts accordingly, so when sewn up, the bottom would have continuous basketweave pattern all away around;
• knit basketweave stitch for 28 rows on the bottom and for 32 rows on the sleeves;
• made the pockets slightly longer and wider, like additional couple of rows and stitches;
• did all the increases and decreases on the wrong side since it’s easier to knit mirrored inc. and decr. than purl;
• made the first button on the 7th row instead of 5th (it seamed a little too low otherwise), the rest of the buttons were buttons were placed every following 26th row;
• secured the buttons with a small ones on the back;
• since I wasn’t sure on how long my sleeves would be and I was getting short on yarn, I did start the sleeves with the provisional cast on and after the basketweave point; finished the sleeves (the sleeve tops took some tweaking), then knit the basketweave portion from top down, and as turned out, had enough yarn to finish the sleeves;
• did not cast off the front ends and connected them with three needle bind of;
• yarn grew with washing and I was expecting that; the measurements of the back before and after blocking in centimeters: width - 46/50, length to armholes - 53/58, total length - 72/79. As you can see it grew 10% in both width and length.
• not being a fan of reverse stockinette, I have to admit that Summer Tweed looks absolutely wonderful in that stitch - so tweedy, so natural, with all the bumps and subtle color changes;
• also, I absolutely loved the pockets on this cardigan! with that charming touch of curling inside, they look very unusual and almost sculpted. BTW, I did not cut the yarn after knitting the pocket lining, but rather used it for the curly bits on the front of the pockets (less ends to weave)

IntSweMoDo2010 #13

This gray tweed is almost impossible to photograph…