Tuesday 23 September 2014

Helen Joyce Cardigan

My first DK weight sweater I've ever knit!  I tend to stick with worsted to bulky weight yarns for how fast they knit up. I found this yarn at my LYS and couldn't help picking up a skein . . . then going back and getting 2 more because I loved the colour so much.

Neckline too low and wide
When I finished it according to the pattern instructions I could barely keep it on my shoulders and it was really low around the back neckline. I tried adding a little panel at the front to pull it across.  I'd see something like this on a shrug and thought it looked neat. NOPE . . . not working. 

Attempt to pull sweater together at front
Pattern: Helen Joyce Cardigan by Taiga Hilliard Designs
Yarn: Sweet Georgia Yarn DK: Coral Rose

 So I pulled out my cast-off and starting increasing the border.  I did several short rows to increase the neckline and the back and add in enough width to have it sit nicely on my shoulders.


I loved the lace pattern at the bottom of the sweater.  I read other people's modifications and lowered the seed stitch band to be below my bust line.  I don't like cropped sweaters so I added length so it sits at my hips.  

Now: perfect, I love it.  It is the perfect weight cardigan, makes a pair of jeans look dressy and goes well with dresses or skirts.  After I knit all the heavy-weight yarn in my stash I need to get some more light-weight yarn. Onto my next sweater: I Heart Cardigan by Tanis Lavallee

Monday 15 September 2014

OWOP 14 - My Sort Of Week

The pattern I chose for the One Week One Pattern Challenge was  the Julia Cardigan by Welcome to the Mouse House.  I wasn't really great at taking pictures everyday and I thought the challenge started on Monday but instead it started on Saturday. I didn't get my warmer versions of the Julia Cardigan made so I had to abandon them near the end of the week because it was a high of 14 C here.  So here is my sort of participation. 


Day 3 - Burgundy Julia Cardigan w/ 3/4 length sleeve.  This version has a single layer collar.  I do prefer the double fold collar.  It just sits nicer but this one is still very wearable. 

 Day 4 - Yellow Longsleeve - very thin jersey fabric, double fold collar.  I made this to match a dress a wore to my cousin's wedding.

 I can see myself wearing this dress to work with my cardigan and flat shoes.  This is what it looks like.  But right now I'm on maternity leave with my kids so shorts and a tshirt is really how I wear things right now.

Day 5: Grey Long sleeve - double fold collar

I wore this with various layers all day.  We did a day trip into Toronto.  My daughter loves the train so we took the GO train in.  I wore a tank top, my Julia Cardigan, a self-made infinity scarf, and a light down vest.  We went to Ripley's Aquarium.  The kids were so fascinated by all the sea life!  It's quite an impressive place. So the only photos I have are action shots of our day!






Day 6 and 7 - It got really cold here.  I wanted to wear my handknit sweaters instead. 

Thank you to Handmade Jane is hosting a One Week One Pattern Challenge - OWAP14 .
http://www.handmadejane.co.uk/2014/07/owop-2014-sign-up-now_8.html
It was fun to think about how to wear my cardigans each week.  I loved seeing some of the other garments other people chose to wear.