a new favourite cardigan

I have finally had time to take photos of my 'new' cardigan. I finished it a while ago but either the lighting was poor, there was no photographer available or I was in a bad mood. Today, I am working from home because I am coughing my insides out and I would rather do that in private (just in case I loose control over my bladder). Too good an opportunity to miss. It is quite dark but there's not much I can do about that. All photos are selfies and may be a bit out of focus.  


The cardigan I made was designed by Meiju Knits and is called Aureed. I loved the pattern the moment I cast my eyes on it. It took a while to find yarn that I would love, too. I used Cascade Heritage, which is a sock yarn containing 25% nylon and 75% merino wool. 

I struggled to get the gauge right. The pattern asked for Madeline Tosh Merino Light knitted up on a 4 mm needle. My yarn was nearly the same yardage per 100 grams but there was no way I could achieve the gauge with a 4 mm needle. I used 3.25 mm needles instead. I am not usually that bothered with knitting a gauge but I have learned painfully that it is not worth the time saved when at the end the garment doesn't fit.



I enjoyed knitting this cardigan on the whole. Yes, it is a big project and it took a good while. Knitting up a cardigan for an adult on small needles is quite possibly crazy but I think it was worth the effort. The cardigan is knitted from the top down and is shaped with increases and short rows. I really liked the short rows! After what seemed endless rows of purl stitches, the rows got shorter very quickly. Short rows are such a clever way to shape a garment. It is a shame they are not used more often.

The lace pattern in the back makes the cardigan even more special. It looks like a rather complex pattern but it is very simple, and after a few rows I didn't need the instructions at all. 


I enjoy wearing the cardigan very much. It is an uncomplicated garment, there are no buttons and it drapes really well. I am planning to make another one soon. I will not use the same yarn! Cascade Heritage is a nice yarn and I figured that the nylon content would make for a hardwearing garment. I enjoyed knitting with it and it was reasonably priced. However, the wear is disappointing. The cardigan is pilling all around, not just in the usual places (i.e. under the arms). It annoys me a great deal because I find it unsightly. I am not sure how to get rid of the wool pills other than picking it off painstakingly with my nimble fingers. I suppose I could introduce 'de-fluffing' as a form of punishment for my children....

I shall research different yarns before I make a second model of this cardigan. 

It has been a while since I mentioned how much I appreciate seeing you visiting me. It is a great pleasure to read comments, or even just to notice that lots of you have read a post without leaving a comment. Thank you! 
I find it sometimes difficult to allocate time to read blogs and comment. Full time work is just that, full time! I make time to stop by, it is a pleasure. Did you notice how many blogs have disappeared or are in hibernation? Where do they go? Instagram maybe? I would love to discover new blogs but don't have time to do so. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Tell me if you have a blog yourself and I haven't visited you. I shall do so as soon as I can!

In the meantime, have a great weekend! Cxx


Comments

  1. I love that cardigan, Christina! It's a very nice pattern, and suits you perfectly. I'm sorry that the yarn is pilling. I have had the same thing happen with a sweater I knit in Cascade 220. There are several good pill removers out there. Here's a link to the one I have. It works great!

    http://www.yarn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/categoryID/4C2ADBE0-EFC3-44CA-80EF-CD28A54CA98F/productID/C62A21AC-5E3A-449A-80A0-165CC8914680/

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  2. It's a lovely pattern, I love the lace panel on the back. It's a pain when yarn starts pilling isn't it, my mum uses a pill remover look like kristie has recommended one! Have a lovely weekend, hope you feel better soon :)

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  3. The back is really pretty - it looks really nice on you!

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  4. Wow! That's quite a work of art you're wearing - and on 3.25mm needles as well! You're a better woman than I to even attempt it! Definitely worth the effort though, it looks fantastic xx

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  5. Now that is a beautiful knit and a very flattering, I also love the scarf another beautiful creation. I love the fancy stitch work on the back, very impressive. Have a great weekend.

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  6. Oooh Christina! It's lovely - love the detail at the back and the overall shape of the cardi too. Have a great weekend. Jane xx

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  7. It looks great!

    I've also noticed many bloggers I follow or that follow me seem to be hibernating - it has seemed awfully quiet around here for a while now and I'd also like to find some new blogs to read, but I spent enough time at the computer as it is, without trying to seek out fresh blogs!

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  8. It is a lovely cardigan & the lace detail is very pretty. I struggle with lace & have been ripping out stitches & hair galore over what is supposed to be a simple lace cowl lately!! x

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  9. Hey Christina,
    I love it, and you wear it very well. I love a cardi/scarf combo in the colder months. If you are in the lookout for new blogs, can I suggest having a gander at Countryside Tales and Peonies and Polaroids. Both different. Both beautifully written with humor and honesty. Have a grew weekend, lovely.
    Leanne xx

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  10. Okay I have to say that I just LOVE it! Wow! It is a beauty and you did a great job. It would look wonderful in so many different colors the possibilities are endless. Your Zick Zack scarf looks amazing with it! Well done. Hope your insides are staying inside and your cough eases up.
    Meredith

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  11. Such a pretty color and I love the pattern in the back. When my sweaters get pills I shave them, literally, with a razor. Takes most of them off.

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  12. Hi Christina, this is such a lovely sweater you have knitted. I love the color and the special detail on the back. And, it looks like it fits perfect, too! Very nice. I hope your weekend is off to a great start :)

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  13. oh that's lovely, I do like wear layers with cardigans. Such a shame it's going bobbly. Yes I've noticed blog land is quiet, it's why I wandered over to instagram as well, which is nice, but not as nice as reading a blog x hope your cough is better soon, there are some nasty ones around xxx

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  14. Christina, it is a really sweet and simple cardigan - great job. That pattern on the back is beautiful! I have recently spent way too many hours searching for a cardigan pattern for myself. I want something not too difficult, not requiring tiny needles, and that doesn't require too many skeins - a lot of requirements! Just last night I finally just one and it is similar to yours in that the front is plain and open, but there is a pretty pattern on the back. I am going to buy the yarn this weekend!

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  15. I, too, love the look of your cardigan. I don't knit, so I can't imagine how much time was involved. I'm guessing to took a while, but well worth the look. Thanks for your recent comment on my new adventure.

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  16. It looks fabulous. Nicely done m'dear :o)

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  17. Oh my goodness Christine this cardi is fabulous! Well done you. I'm much the same with knitting guage - but it obviously is very much worth the effort! Hope you are feeling better soon. cheers Wendy

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  18. That looks fabulous. I have abandoned my latest cardi because youngest son declared he would like an Icelandic sweater. I despair of ever finishing my cardigan!

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  19. I'm one of the instagram converts but I do miss blogging and reading and discovering blogs. It just doesn't fit my life just now, but instagram does and is turning out to be a great joy. Love the cardigan. Scary for a non-knitter like me!

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  20. Your cardigan is beautiful, Christina. Wow. I can't even imagine being able to make a whole wearable garment from yarn. I really hope I can master knitting someday. Your cardigan looks really nice on you and you look so happy in that photo, you must be so proud of yourself and rightfully so. I'm having trouble keeping up with blogs these days myself; I have had some computer problems, so that's part of it, but I'm also just so busy with kids' stuff right now. I figure most people will forgive me if I can still pop in most of the time, even if I can't read every single post of the hundreds of blogs I follow. I'm glad anyone reads my blog at all, so I could never hold it against a person who can't read everything I write. I hope you're having a good weekend and that this week is a good one for all of you too.

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  21. I really love this cardigan - if I saw it in a shop I would buy it in a second. If only I had the courage to attempt something so grand. The back is beautiful. It's a shame about the pilling... though it looks like you've got the solution sorted... great idea for new form of punishment :)

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  22. That's a gorgeous cardigan - such a shame that it's pilling. My Dad bought one of those special 'shavers' you can get to remove the bobbles if you find your children's behaviour magically improves (no matter what the punishment ours hasn't!). I wear lots of cardis too - it looks fab with your scarf. Hope you find a good yarn to make another one with! x

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  23. I really love your cardigan, Christina. That little lacy section at the back is so pretty and it fits you perfectly. I like the colour too. Hope you find a much better yarn for the next one. It's really lovely and you're so clever! X

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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