Just a little bit of time and an ounce of dedication, and the pay off it quite grand! I love my new cardigan!
Wren Cardigan
Pattern: Berroco free pattern
Yarn: Berroco Zodiac in “Leo” colorway (#9633 )
Yarn Source: WEBS online
Needles: Size US 7 and 8
Started March 25th / Finished May 16th
This was an absolute impulse buy – I fell head-over-heels in love with the pattern when the weekly Berroco KnitBits newsletter hit my inbox. I clicked over, got the details, and within a few days, I bought the yarn, and cast on. I bought the yarn because I love pink and green together, and it was a great match for Project Spectrum’s color triad this month. Rarely do I click “checkout” so hastily!
I chose to make the Medium size, a 40″ bust, thinking I would want a little “room” up top since it is a cardigan. After finishing it, however, I probably could have gone down a size to the 36″, or even a needle size to get a better fit in the upper chest… but the fit is not a major concern, just something to keep in mind if you do decide to make this cardigan.
I knit the majority of the sweater according to the pattern – the back and the two fronts were simple to follow, and the sleeves were done in a flash. The major modification on this garment involved the collar:
- Separate Knit? The pattern instructs to knit the collar separately and then sew it on afterward. To save all of that seaming, I decided to pick up the stitches around the fronts and the back of the neck. My picked-up stitch count was curiously 80 stitches less than the instructions noted – I picked up 205, while the instructions read 285! I can only assume that all of these extra stitches would have caused the dreaded “lettuce neck” with the sewn on collar… so I am happy that I went the “pick up” route.
- Gaping Hole? I wasn’t loving the way that the collar gaped in the original picture, so I did not make mine as long or as bulky. The pattern calls for about 30 rows of knitting, where mine has 10 rows at the widest part (back of the neck). This modification avoided “the gape” and lays flat around the neckline. This yarn, like any other ribbon yarn, does not have much heft or bulk- it is drapey, and would look flimsy if it was required to stand up for this style of collar. I am not sure how 30 rows of knitting would stand up straight unless one went down to a very small needle size… nevertheless, this modification gave it a more polished and finished look.
The pattern had its flaws, mainly the collar bit mentioned above, but if you are an intuitive knitter, it is not a challenge. The yarn, however, was not my favorite. I did like the colors – although they are slightly “flashier” than I tend to go for. I mentioned before that the yarn is a thread of chain cotton, bound to a ribbon thread with a small black nylon thread. That stupid little black nylon thread is what caused so many problems. It snagged on many things – my nails, my cuticles, and my jewelry – and often got unraveled from the other two threads. This cardigan would probably hold up well in any ribbon style yarn, or even a cotton blend yarn with a little bit of drape.
Overall, I am happy with my Wren. The pin is just the right touch too. I am very happy with that find!
It looks great on you! That color is perfect.
The sweater looks great! The pictures are VERY nice too.
That color is just stunning on you! Beautiful job, your mods make it more beautiful than the original!
Your photos are quite wonderful! Enjoy your new sweater!
Oh! I loved that sweater when I got the newsletter! I do like your version, and it looks great on you. Good job!
Very nice Very nice.. mental note be VERY careful when hugging Lolly!
hehe I am FINALLY knitting something pink! Woo hoo! I keep being out of phase of Project Spectrum but no more!
Beautiful job! It looks great one you!
Wow, Lolly — Wren looks really beautiful on you! The color is just stunning and your mods look great.
Very pretty cardigan!! The yarn color is gorgeous and the pattern is perfect for you. Really lovely!!
wow!! it looks really great! I love your modifications.
It’s perfect! Love the pin and the whole look. Wonderful job modifying it to your taste. It’s a winner!
Lolly, it’s so pretty! I cocked my head at the yarn when I first saw it, but wow! it’s so pretty knit up! No pooling, just flecks of color! And you totally nailed the perfect PS project! Beautiful, babe!
It looks really nice and I love the modifications. It is something I will keep in mind because I love the pattern too. And great pin!
The cardigan is bee you ti ful! I love the color and the pin, is, the perfect finish!
austin
Lovely! You look fantastic in your new cardi, and the pin was the perfect find.
Gorgeous! Both you and the sweater!
You look really beautiful! Lovely cardi and very nice colours on you. Sometimes those impulse buys are for a very good reason!
It’s gorgeous and the colour looks great on you! Your mods suit the design much better too.
You are so cute! The sweater looks great. Good choice on the collar; very classy and lovely. =D
Very pretty and VERY flattering! Nice work, and I like the changes you made. I may have to do that one myself!
Wow mama! You look like you were meant to model that. Don’t ever give it away. It fits you perfectly and you are so pretty!
Wow! It’s gorgeous. It looks great on you.
Wow! What a beautiful cardigan! I can’t believe you knit it up so fast. For us gals who tend to ponder each yarn purchase, sometimes the impulse buys can be liberating, huh? I love the fastner too – it’s just perfect for the sweater.
Wow! Wren looks fabulous!
It fits you so well and the colours are vibrant – and excellent accompaniment to black.
Nice modifications too.
*love* that colorway…a shame Webs is out of it. The cardigan looks great, and you’re lucky you avoided “lettuce neck.” I manage to achieve that even when picking up stitches.
So, so pretty! The color is really flattering on you. And the mods you made look like they really helped out the end product!
Lolly, that cardigan is beautiful!!! I know everyone is already saying this, but you look gorgeous and the cardigan is very flattering on you! wonderful job!
Your Wren is gorgeous! I think I like the smaller collar too. It looks beautiful on you and well worth all the craziness of a difficult yarn.
Your scarf came in handy today and I am so grateful for it’s soft warmth.
i like how you’ve modified the pattern. you know, i would have done the same thing with the collar. as you were describing it i was nodding my head in agreement! picking up a few stitches is far less complicated in my book and looking at the pattern i agree about the neckline it looks better as an understatement…and that pin! oh yeah!
[...] Kilo davon. Ich dachte an Wren, vielleicht wird das dann etwas besser mit dem Schlabbereffekt? Lolly hat Wren gestrickt und sie sieht wirklich klasse aus, finde ich. Ich habe aber auch noch weitere [...]
Beautiful! Love the pin too.
wow!! gorgeous work lolly! it is beautiful and it looks wonderful on you! absolutely inspiring… love this design.
Lolly, you look beautiful!!!
The knitting is lovely but you…all of that hard work is paying off, girl!
Perfect Lolly! And you look fantastic!
The cardigan is lovely and the pin is just the right thing for it! Congratulations!!
Thanks for the sizing and pattern notes – I’m ready to be a complete copy-cat
It looks great on you!
It is just gorgeous Lolly and it fits so well. Wonderful knitting. You look great. Thanks for being inspirational.
I thought the model pic from Berroco was ok. THIS is OUTSTANDING!!!
I looks simply lovely on you Lolly and the knitting (and mods) are suburb! Enjoy wearing it, you look beautiful!
So beautiful Lolly – it looks stunning on you. x
What a flattering sweater! I love the closure you’re using, too. Lovely!
Oh very impressive!!! Now I feel inspired to go back and finish mine (that has been languishing these many weeks).
Also, thanks so much for the details on how you fixed the collar. I have plans for mods too, but your info will be helpful.
Hooray!! Wren is a new item to wear and enjoy.
That is just delightful! It’s so light and airy and such a gorgeous shade of pink. Well done!
Excellent job – the cardigan looks wonderful on you . . .the color, the pin with it, I bet you’re pleased with this one. Thanks for sharing the collar modification, that’s good when you can figure out a better way to do something that looks better than the original plan.
Gorgeous cardi and it looks fantastic on you! I have that same shawl pin! I love it, so elegant!
Lolly my gosh you are so freaking CUTE!!! gorgeous, fantastic, and it suits you perfectly. Great Shots too!
Simply stunning!
Not sure how I missed this! Your wren is SO lovely, as are you. Great photos, and thank you for posting your changes, that’s very helpful to those of us still plugging along.
[...] said it was a quick knit (see her finished version here) but I didn’t quite believe it. But, given decent health and with not too much energy-sapping [...]