There's something magical that happens when you block a sweater. The yarn becomes softer - the sleeves that you thought were too short end up being just right and the stitches just simply shine.
The Details:
Pattern: Tangled Yoke from the Fall 2007 IK
Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed, 7 balls
Needles: Size 5 and 4 circs
I know there are so many versions of this beautiful cardigan out there on the internets (about 320 listed in Ravelry!) and beyond so to add mine to the masses feels very unifying. Folded gently in my dresser is a sweater that lots of my other kindred knitty friends will have worked stitch by stitch as well. The pattern was very well written, although I did have some trouble with the initial body decreasing but just worked it out. Other than that small bump it was all smooth sailing.
This was the first sweater I have made where the sleeves were knitted in the round then attached to the main body. While normally I make my sleeves at the same time, I decided for this round to not mess with crazy magic loops and noticed that they did come out ever so slightly different. Again - the magic of blocking - a little tug here and smoosh there and we have perfectly matched sleeves.
I can't really express how happy I am with this cardigan. I also can't believe I made this in my busiest month ever! I guess I really don't know the speed of which I can knit? Who knew? I did a little bit every night and then had some nice eventless weekend days that made this go quicker. I did make a full comfortbale change to knitting continental so I'm guessing that helped with the speed. Sign me up for NaKniSweMo! ;-) If you notice though, I have yet to sew the buttons - I was a bit anxious to have good sunlight and a photoshoot. All that means is that there will be another photoshoot again soon!
I was also so impressed with that cabled yoke. I mean I know I could not at this point in my knitty experience think of the way that cable would twist and turn but wow what a beautiful and delicate embellishment!
Usually at this point I'm scheming my next knit but the beautifulness of this piece has made me want to just revel in it a bit more before I cast on again.
So I will revel...
Oh, please...stop being so modest. This is the beautifulest one out there (that I've seen, anyway)! Fabulouussss, I say! No, really. I absolutely love it. I'm not a fan of yoke anything and you have proved me wrong with this one. Bravo.
Posted by: isel | October 28, 2007 at 06:32 PM
That is absolutely gorgeous. I haven't begun yet, but I think I must order the yarn soon! And I love the way it works with that color, too.
Posted by: Kelley | October 28, 2007 at 06:39 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Melissa | October 28, 2007 at 06:49 PM
Gorgeous!! Really! Great color too. I just got my felted tweed in the mail for TYC, but I am going to make myself wait until Jan to cast on.... I promised to finally make my husband a sweater. But after seeing/feeling this yarn, I don't know how I'll be able to wait!
Posted by: Allegra | October 28, 2007 at 06:57 PM
Wow, that looks so gorgeous, definately one of the best verions out there. The more I see of this sweater, the more I want to make it!
Posted by: Elin | October 28, 2007 at 07:22 PM
It's beautiful! The colour is perfect and it's absolutely stunning. Well done.
Posted by: caro | October 28, 2007 at 07:40 PM
GORGEOUS! The best one I've seen yet! Outstanding work. Congratulations!
Posted by: Cara | October 28, 2007 at 07:53 PM
This sweater is stunning! Your cabling looks impeccable - if I knit a sweater like this I think I would wear it ALL of the time :) Great job!
Posted by: Kirsten | October 28, 2007 at 09:13 PM
Beautiful, you did a lovely job.
Posted by: Knittypants | October 28, 2007 at 09:30 PM
beautiful! i love the color! i am making a sweater with felted tweed as well. what did you think of the yarn overall? i have heard of some sweaters coming out too big even when you get gauge!
Posted by: mai | October 28, 2007 at 09:35 PM
Gorgeous! It fits you well and looks so beautiful!
Posted by: lyn | October 28, 2007 at 10:09 PM
This is the kind of end result that makes me think, "Man, I want to knit what she's knitting!" Go ahead and revel -- this is gorgeous.
Posted by: barefoot rooster | October 28, 2007 at 10:17 PM
It looks AMAZING!!!! Wow, what a great colour and it look perfect on you. Great job!
Posted by: Julie | October 28, 2007 at 10:50 PM
Beautiful! I love your colour choice.
Posted by: Kamicha | October 29, 2007 at 03:00 AM
Great job! All at home thought you did a fantastic job at it!
Posted by: Ginger aka Beethoven | October 29, 2007 at 03:48 AM
Wow. Just wow. What a gorgeous sweater!
Posted by: Kate | October 29, 2007 at 06:24 AM
Oh, that's so beautiful! Added it to my favs on Ravelry. That color is perfect :)
Also, I've tagged you in my blog.
Posted by: Jenn | October 29, 2007 at 08:07 AM
Sure, we've seen a few of these around... but yours looks great! Something about the fit, and the color of the yarn you used (looks like it has a bit of mossy green in it - lovely!). Enjoy wearing it!
Posted by: grumperina | October 29, 2007 at 08:15 AM
What a beautiful and inspiring job you've done. I can't wait to get my Continental up to speed - I am working to get it there before I cast on for this great sweater! Enjoy your revel!
Posted by: Marie | October 29, 2007 at 09:02 AM
Gorgeous!!!!! The fit looks perfect!
Posted by: Kirsten | October 29, 2007 at 09:17 AM
I love it! Just a great classic sweater. You'll wear it for years!
Posted by: lola | October 29, 2007 at 09:24 AM
It is beautiful - I LOVE it.
Posted by: lisa | October 29, 2007 at 09:25 AM
you should revel - it is amazing!!!!!
Posted by: stacey | October 29, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Enjoy yourself in this sweater! It's definitely, definitely beautiful.
(And great inspiration to finish my own!)
Posted by: Amy | October 29, 2007 at 11:28 AM
You're right! It really is beautiful. Wear it well!
Posted by: margene | October 29, 2007 at 11:52 AM