Raglan Zipper Cardigan
Started: 12.12.05 / Finished: 1.09.06
Pattern: Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn: Handpainted Yarns Handspun Bulky Wool in colorway
Date Palme (discontinued)
Needles: Takumi Clover Bamboo circulars size 10 for body and yoke; Brittany Birch double pointed needles size 10 for sleeves
Notes: Less than a month for this baby! Granted, I challenged myself to have it ready by Kris’s birthday – but that came and went on 12.26.
I officially finished the knitting on January 8th – my best girl Heather was over at my house for a fun knit-in… so she got a sneak peek! (and I got to see the start of her lovely cowl sweater she just started too!) The weaving in ends and blocking set up for the zipper installation the next day. I did manage to get a pic pre – zipper though… (look at that smile!)
DPNs make the perfect closures!
I recommend Handpainted Yarn, but be aware that it is really thick and thin in some places. I think this adds to the overall attraction of this particular sweater (the rustic look), but it may not be a good match for something that needs an even texture or a spot-on gauge. As for the dyelots: you can see the stripes (slightly) in the knit above. I bought the same dyelot! The kettle-dyed yarn is just this way… so I accept it and move on. I am trying to convince myself that for this particular knit, it adds character.
I made the smallest men’s size (39" chest) for Kris, and this called for 8 hanks of yarn; purchasing one extra ball really was a good decision, I used about 100 yds of the 9th hank to yoke and the collar.
More notes and pics (including zipper installation) behind the cut – check it!
Saturday night: I was a midnight yoker. I was on a roll. I moved the body to the larger 36" circular needles, and added the sleeves to the knit. The underarm stitches were left on stitch holders until the end when I did a Kitchener stitch bind off to secure them.
Lovin’ the raglan decreases. The rib pattern really shows them off too.
I wet blocked the cardigan overnight, and had it all ready to go for zipper installation on Monday. The blocking did not make a big difference – ribbing will always look smaller, but the important thing is that it fits Kris so perfectly!
My mom, who was gifted with some amazing sewing skills, came over to my place for a zipper tutorial. I initially thought I would go with a hand sewn zipper install, but I began to see that the cardigan would need something more stable and durable; so a machine seam was definitely the way to go.
I got a little eager, and instead of going with a custom zipper from one of the online sources, I went with a zipper from the craft store. The length was perfect, and I am very happy with the way it turned out – remember the one in the original pattern zipper was fire engine red! – so the khaki color was a pretty good fit. Maybe next zipper install, I will give the online store a try – I would like a custom zipper sometime that matches the color of the garment exactly.
Zipper alignment – perfect fit for a 30" zipper, although the pattern called for a 27". (I did add 3" to the torso)
We used regular sewing pins to secure the tape to the knit before running it through the machine.
Mom put the zipper foot in my sewing machine – this made the sewing go so quickly!
Mom’s expertise in all things sewing really saved me on this project. I would have made a real mess of it without her help. Thanks to mom, my interest in sewing has been rekindled, and I hope to be able to install my next knit zipper easily with the skills I learned this time!
Attached and ready to go. The machine seam was strong, and will withold more wear (hopefully not tear!) from Kris.
I am happy with this project, and best of all, I think Kris is too. He was willing for me to call him for fittings and measurements throughout the whole process. I extended the body from 15" to 18" and I extended the arm length to 21" – the small size called for only 18". I am so glad I did this – it fits him perfectly, and he is very comfortable in it.
All in all, a great project – and the other thing about it?
It fits me too!
How convenient that you can knit your husband a sweater and wear it! You can knit more things for “him” that “you” can wear! My husband is 6’6″ and I’m 5’4″ so I can’t be as clever as you! The sweater is great and it looks great on Kris (you too). Don’t you just love completing big projects and especially in a timely manner!
What a gorgeous sweater! I really appreciated your zipper tutorial, since I’m about to start my own zipper sweater. I can only hope my comes out as beautifully as yours.
It looks great! And Kris looks so thrilled with it too. Definitely a bonus when the giftee loves the knit.
Wow! It looks great!! I like the zipper you chose, it’s much nicer than the red one in the original, I think.
You are right, having a sewing machine and knowing how to sew really save a lot of time. I am still struggling with the hand sewing of the zipper!
Another great knit Lolly!
cute!!! it looks so great on both of you. congrats!!
I’m impressed that you got it done so quickly – and it looks great too!
Looooovvveeee that Handpaintedyarn.com!!
kudos to you lauren! it is amazing!
It’s always nice when a fit for your man is a good fit for you too! You did a great job and the sweater fits Kris so nicely. I love it!
!! It looks SO good, Lolly!
Great job. .. you give me inspiration to get moving on my finishing project!
Amazing thing this cardigan. But also your post in real-time. I felt like sitting next to you wathcing the progress of sewing in this zipper. These details are very encouraging, thanks. I wish you BOTH a lot of fun wearing it!
Woohoo! It looks awesome and he looks like he loves it – fits to a T I would say! Great job Lauren!!
Looks great on both of you!! Thank heaven for moms-although mine has no sewing skills at all-but good thing your mom does! A really, really nice knit. Good job Lolly!!
That is always the best type of sweater, the one that will fit the one it’s intended for, and yourself as well. Double duty knitting, nothing better.
Fantastic job Lolly !!! I love this colour. You can both take turns to wear this cardi with pride. Well done.
Wow! Looks fantastic! I bet your hubby is stoked
Wow, the sweater turned out great. I love it. I have not done any knitting that involved zippers. They scare me, I think. LOL!
It looks so fab!! I may have to try that one for Philip. He doesn’t like sweaters, but I feel a little bad being a knitter and not knitting a sweater for my husband!
Lolly — Great Cardi!
And…for the future — don’t forget that you have pals in NYC within walking distance of custom length zippers in a variety of colors (double ended zippers too!)
Cheers! And Happy New Year!
It looks great and it seems you had nothing to worry about with the instalation of the zipper. Fab!
Hey Lolly, did you geht my comment from yesterday? I really wnat to get in touch again but lost your email. I still want to knwo how you did the increases on this sweater. And your version lools cool, makes me hurry up with mine
Great job! I like the way it turned out.
woot! it looks fabulous, lolly! kudos to you for conquering the zipper.
You know, you really do AMAZE me. Not only are you a prolific knitter but you are able to do some STUNNING work! Congrats on yet another FAB, FAB, FAB knit!
d00d!!! Less than a month! That’s amazing. It looks great & Kris always looks like such a good sport.
Lolly, what a great sweater! And to have it look good on both of you … you gotta love the versatility!
Wow! What a great fit. Congratulations Lolly! It’s really fabulous.
Truly beautiful work Lolly. Despite your misgivings about the yarn, I think it enhances the texture of the sweater.
The hubster certainly seems to appreciate it, as well he should!
It looks FANTABULOUS! Way to go!
It looks really great on him! It’s so nice to see a project from “just yarn” (yeah, like yarn is ever “just yarn”), to finished project. You’re an inspiration.
Happy New Year, sweetie! Kris’s cardigan looks FABULOUS!! You did such an awesome job with it!! And fantastic job with the zipper installation, too. That definitely looks tricky and a little stressful, but it’s great that you had your mom to mentor you through it. The color is so rich and gorgeous, too- I bet Kris just loves it! Being one for gender equity though, I’d say the cardigan is fair wardrobe game for you. Especially when you look so good in it, too.
I’ll be back soon to catch up on all the posts I’ve missed….take care! 
Yes, indeed. THe sweater turned out great! I had fun putting the zipper in and spending time with you and Kris. It does look great on both of you. I am excited about starting my first shawl! XXOO
Beautiful!!! I’m sure Kris will wear it proudly . . . and you too!
Congratulations on a great sweater! It looks like it fits him to a t!
I’m also very excited to see you at the sewing machine. Could this be a promising relationship?
I loved your post, too-cute.
The cardigan looks great!! You’re a fast knitter!!! You did a great job on it!
Great job, Lolly! & I can’t believe you finished in under a month!
Looks just great! I’d love to knit that for my BF but I’m not sure he’d let me
lolly, it looks fantastic! great, great work. very impressed with the zipper installation. and he seems happy with it!
hey you finished that quickly, and it looks fab on Kris!!!! love the color of the handpainted yarn
the zipper looks really good!
huge congrats on getting that done. It looks fab (on both of you!). I have always loved that colour you chose.
Thanks for comment too!
Great job on the sweater! I love pictures of happy husband in their lovingly handknit sweaters! What a bonus that you can wear it too!
It look great! Great job. It makes me want to knit up a cardigan lickety split.
You’re such a rockstar!
Damn! You have 95 comments! Kris’s sweater is awesome! What great and fast knitting you did! I would much rather machine sew in a zipper. I really don’t like hand sewing them in. Seeing as I don’t have a sewing machine though, it makes it kind of hard to do that.
Awesome! Congrats on another beautiful FO!
It looks wonderful Lolly! I can’t wait to finish mine now for Scott. I, unfotunately, am going to be doing the zipper by hand… fooey.
Awesome sweater! you both look great in it.
Ooh!! Great job! Awfully sneaky of you to knit a sweater for your hub that *just happens* to fit you as well!
I am about to sew a zipper into a handknit, and am SCARED but your post has helped me. I think I will feel more confident and will also try to machine stitch instead of handsew.
Fantastic! Oh, I’m not sure if I can refrain from starting one. But will you come over and install the zipper? You did a stunning job. love it love it.