cardigan: Snoqualmie by Michele Wang, pattern here // shirt: Grainline Archer, pattern here // legwarmers: pattern here
Snoqualmie is done!
(Semi-related: I’m pretty sure every single time I’ve typed “snoqualmie” it’s come out “snog.” Every single time.)
Anyway, I did this one for Heather’s Snoqualmie Knit-along last year. I started knitting it sometime in March, got caught up in end of the semester projects, and then it was summer and I was sweating too much to hold a pile of wooly cables in my lap. I picked it back up a few weeks before finals week of fall semester as stress knitting. And in fact, since it was my first semester of a full class load (plus work, plus I’d just started my internship), there was a lot of stress knitting and I actually accidentally finished it the week of finals. Oops.
I love everything about this pattern (I also love everything about Michele Wang). I wear this sweater ALL the time. The only issue I have with it is that I used Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool because it’s on the cheaper side and it’s usually knitted up pretty nicely before. This time it’s pilling like crazy. To be fair, I am wearing this sweater pretty often, but still. It seems a bit excessive. It’s such a comfy oversized boyfriend blanket of cabley goodness that I could totally see knitting a second one. I’ll have to try a better yarn next time and see if it makes a difference.
I struggled a bit with figuring out what kind of buttons to put on this one. It’s a pretty hefty cardigan so I wanted over-sized buttons, but the ones I tried first were a similar toggle style made of some kind of plastic or resin that was much heavier and pulled one side down too much. A friend gave me these lovely wooden ones that are super lightweight and exactly the size and style I was going for.
I knitted a 41 1/2 size (the second smallest size) and while I love how giant it turned out, I might size down or re-check my gauge on the next one just for variety. I like that I can pop this one on over leggings or a dress, but it might be nice to have a slightly more fitted one for wearing with jeans and a t-shirt. I’m also considering adding some grosgrain ribbon or bias trim to the inside of the button plackets and maybe around the back neckline edge for extra support. Does anyone have experience with this? I’ve seen it on RTW sweaters but haven’t actually tried it on anything I’ve knitted.
Now excuse me while I go snog this sweater. I mean snuggle.
Got to use that high bust measurement! Works for sewing knits, and works for knitting knits also.
http://www.amyherzogdesigns.com/2013/07/26/ff-choosing-the-right-size/
I think the problem is that I didn’t knit it with 6 strands of qiviut lace. ???
I think you did a wonderful job on this cable knit cardigan. I have knitted (and sewn of course) since I was a little girl. Cable knit can actually be a lot of work, especially when there are different type of patterned areas lots of counting to keep track of. Very nice job!
Yes, I have some experience with adding gross grain ribbon, especially along the button placket. A very nice Finnish. For us who sew, we already know that stabilizing the neck area can be a good idea. Maybe especially when it is a big stretchy jacket that you want to keep in place. I would just be a little cautious about putting anything too stiff in the neck. But of course as a sewer know to chose your choice of stabilizer to match your project. A great principle also to use when you knit.
Thank you! Yeah, you make a great point. I would rarely not stabilize the neck in some way so I should probably do it here as well.
I’m not a knitter, but I loove your sweater!
Gorgeous cardi! I tend to stabilise the back neck and shoulders of my knitted garments, either by crocheting a row of slip sts or sewing on some ribbon. This garment looks like the perfect candidate for ribbon as all that weight would be putting immense strain on the back neck.
TechKnitter talks about various ways to stabilise a neck here: http://techknitting.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/my-sweater-slips-off-my-shoulders.html
Ooh thanks for the link! I definitely think that would be helpful with this one.
This is such a gorgeous cardigan, I love the cable pattern and it looks so warm and cosy. I really wish I could knit, maybe I’ll try again one day.
Do it! There are tons of great youtube instructional videos that show all kinds of stitches and cast ons/offs.
Lovely, you can’t beat a snuggly boyfriend cardi, ( Cardi wants become Cardiff!) The colour is fab, I think a toning velvet ribbon would look great as a stabiliser.
Is an amazing stress knitted accomplishment, what colour would you make the next one ? I keep looking at teal at the moment.
It’s GORGEOUS!!!!!