So I’m finally back to blogland (after an unintentional and uncharacteristic nearly-week-long hiatus), and with an actual FO. The Fabulous Lace Inset Cardigan, from sweaterbabe.com.
The details (I usually forget to do this part):
Yarn: Lamb’s Pride Bulky, in Spice, 5 skeins, plus some from a 6th for seaming
Needles: KnitPicks Options, size 13
The Pattern: click link above
Cast On: August 27th-ish
Cast Off: September 21st
Finished: the &*^$% seaming took forever! Part of that was procrastination (I put the sweater aside for awhile before I even tried to seam). Part of it was that I suck at seaming. And part of it is that the pattern instructions leave a lot to be desired when it comes to the seaming.
The Verdict: A fun knit, a so-so FO.
As usual, I’m ambivalent about my finished product. Turns out, it’s not at all too tight. It is fitted, and it fits great. But it is cropped. Intentionally. Even after blocking it twice – first to the specifications of the pattern, and then a bit more to try to add some lengt -, it still shows my midriff (of course there is a shirt there). People, if there is one part of my body I do not need to be calling attention to, it is my midriff. And that’s what a cropped thing is all about, isn’t it? Calling attention to the belly. And trust me, a post-twin belly does not need the attention. Not to mention, that if I am chilly enough to need a cardigan, I’m pretty sure I’d want my belly and lower back warm too!
The pattern says it is a little cropped. I knew I was a little long-waisted, but apparently I am more so than I thought. (Or maybe I should recheck my blocking measurements? It wouldn’t be the first time I had mismeasured. Twice.)
So I’m giving serious thought to adding some length, somehow. I’m pretty sure I have enough yarn. Would it work for me just to pick up some stitches along the cast on edge, and then knit down from there? One possibility would be to do a garter stitch border (like the button band). Another option is to do an entire pattern repeat of the lace inset (sticking with stockinette for the back), which I would of course have to do in reverse since this would be upside down. Thoughts?
Okay, okay, enough verbiage. Without further ado, here are some pictures. First, a couple of things I really love about the sweater.
the buttons
the lace bell sleeves
See the white t-shirt hanging out?
I know this is a popular look for some people.
I am not one of those people.
But aren’t those sleeves just yummy?
But still, the color is fabulous.
I think I could be very happy with this super-warm, super-snuggly sweater.
If it had about four more inches.
And stay tuned for a pic of my very first homespun yarn. No, not spun by me! I do not spin, and I doubt I ever will. But Julie does and she does a gorgeous job. I donated to her wheel fund and got a skein of thank-you yarn for my little contribution. And her wheel is on its way! Her innovative Wheel Fund project, and the way people have participated, and the beautiful yarn she has spun to say thank you, reminds me again of how much I love blogland! Mwah to all of you!
earthchicknits 
I love it!!
The color looks great on you – as for the length…the cropped thing is kind of in. I bet you’ll figure out a way to wear it.
The sweater really is fabulous! 😉
Personally?
I LOVE it!Very origional pics!
I think it looks great! Sorry it doesn’t fit quite right. Perhaps you could pick up stitches along the bottom and add some length? I’m not sure how that would work with the lace pattern though.
You know, I really think it looks adorable on you! And, your waist looks tiny! But, if your not happy with it, I’m sure there’s a way to add some length. I’d probably try picking up stitches along the bottom to see how that looked.
It’s really gorgeous Stacey — hope you can make it work. And, if not, you can always send it to me! Hee, hee. 😉
It’s somewhat fabulous! 😉 No, really, you did a fabulous job, using fabulous yarn (and buttons!), and it’s a shame that you’re not as happy with it as you should be after all that hard work. (You know I agree that the pattern left a bit to be desired.)
How strange is it that I’m knitting mine on US10.5 needles and it hits right below my waist? How tall are you, anyway? 😉
Oh my, it’s GORGEOUS! I love it, looks great on you!
I understand if you are not happy with it. Is that garter st that you did on the button band? I think that the same length (= width of the button band or thereabouts) of garter all the way around (probably continue in pattern on back, that’s a toss up) may look as if that was the intended outcome.
I’ve never seen this pattern before and I love it. I have to ditto your other fans and say that it looks great on you. The color is so rich for fall. Maybe wear it around the house a bit and see if the length “grows” on you, or try wearing it with something else underneath that’s not so contrasting and see if you can rock an outfit out of it. Another idea, instead of just picking up and knitting a backwards/upside down lace pattern, is to knit one (or two?) repeats seperately and graft it to the bottom of your cardi.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your beautiful sweater and sharing the link to Sweater Babe! I might have to add that one to my long wish list. 🙂
Oh, it is TOTALLY worth trying to add some length. Since if you don’t the result you can very easily just rip right out to the original finished edge (and then try again as many times as you’d like), there’s no downside. I think if you knit a lower piece that flares out just a little little bit it would be very flattering (“flares” may not be the right word, I just mean increases out a bit). You could experiment with different options.
It looks really great, but you know you’ll love it more if you add more length, and it’s too good a sweater not to love.
I love it!! What a gorgeous pattern… your hair is adorable too 🙂
Something I figured out about self portraits- if you hold the camera facing you, you can see the screen in the mirror to make sure you’re getting a good shot, and you can avoid “camera face” LOL
🙂