After a full weekend of knitting and finishing, I was so incredibly thrilled to hand this cardigan over to my sister. When the last end was sewn in, and the rainy skies finally let up, I told Sarah that we had to get photos before the next cloudburst. A belated birthday gift for my sweet sister…
Printed Silk Cardigan
Pattern Source: Interweave Knits, Spring 2008
Yarn: Frog Tree Pima Silk, colorway 810
Yarn Source: Webs
Needles: Size US 3 and 5
As I was sewing up the last sleeve, I was overwhelmed at how well this all came together. I took a chance on the yarn – it wasn’t the same content (cotton and silk) and was a little larger gauge – but it is beautiful, and from a respectable company. At first, I thought it was going to be a problem because the yarn does tend to split. Like most other cotton/silk blends, it is a few small strands spun together. Luckily, I got the hang of it, and I didn’t have too many issues with errant threads popping out. The few that did were easy to poke back through to the wrong side of the fabric.
My choice of cardigan was ambitious to knit in the small time frame of one month – I began knitting this in mid-February (squarely within Project Spectrum: FIRE!) and hoped to be finished by March 17th, Sarah’s birthday. Alas, I did not finish until three weeks later. The timing did work out, however. We had planned a visit to North Carolina during the first week in April, and with a little dedication (and a lot of knitting!) it was all wrapped up on Sunday afternoon.
Sarah has a small frame, and without her physical presence to measure along the way, I had to take a chance. I chose the smallest size – 34″ and made a few modifications to fit the bust. I added an inch and a half to the stockinette body to account for her longer torso. The pattern does not call for a hem edge, so it rolls slightly. Some of the other knitters that have finished [Ravelry link] have added a small 1 x 1 ribbing around the bottom. I considered this, but Sarah said she liked the little roll… so I thought if she was happy, I was happy. Another change/oversight on my part involved my modification of the the body into a knit-in-the-round pattern. I knit the two front panels and the back as one piece to avoid seaming the garment in the end. I used stitch markers to note the separations and where to decrease/increase for the waist and bust shaping. However, I did not work in the small ribbed edging that is supposed to essentially “close” the garment across the torso… I simply forgot to work it in… yet, I have to say, that I really like the way it looks. Sarah is thin, and she doesn’t have to worry about the dreaded “muffin top” phenomenon. The draping in the front is reminiscent of another pattern that has caught my eye many times over the years, the Slouchy Cardigan from Greetings from Knit Cafe [Ravelry link].
I hope she can wear it for years to come. The color suits her better than I could have imagined!
Wow… the sweater did turn out fabulously! Your sister looks just amazing in it. Congrats to you for finishing it so well and to her for a great new sweater.
The sweater is so gorgeous! I love how it come out! The pics of your sister are fabulous too!
It’s beautiful!
Oh lordy, what a beautiful model and FO shoot. And I love your reference to the Hall & Oates song. Looking at the pictures and reading your story about how this sweater came together just made my monday morning. Now I must go listen to Hall&Oates greatest hits on my ipod…
It’s just beautiful on her, and the color makes me smile.
Ha! Someone else that has Hall and Oates on their mp3 player…I love it. That sweater looks gorgeous. Great color for your sister too, with that fair skin.
Your stitch definition is amazing. The cardigan fits your sister so well, and the color really does suit her. Beautiful work.
Lolly, she is a very lucky person having you knit such a beautiful sweater for her! It is gorgeous.
Absolutely stunning! I’ve loved this cardigan since I first saw the pattern, and it looks even better on your sister than it does in the magazine. Great job with the photos, too
Just simply lovely! How wonderful to have a sister who knits so beautifully.
Gorgeous sweater. I love the color. It really looks great
Wow – what a beautiful knit! Great work!
You are a wonderful sister and a kick-ass knitter!
Oh Lolly, what a triumph! It’s perfect in every particular – I especially love the way you caught the rolled hem in the second photo.
Great job and nice yarn sub. It fits your sis wonderfully!
it’s lovely, and makes me want to finish mine ASAP! I love the color on your sister, the contrast of her hair and the orangey peach is striking.
Lucky girl your sister is….I just love everything about the sweater on her!
swoon! it is beautiful –great job!
lauren, amazing work.
it is just perfection, really.
i’d be so happy to receive something so lovingly created AND perfectly suited to me.
Usually I’m a lurker, but had to comment that the cardigan is Stunning!
She is gorgeous! The sweater fits her perfectly and looks amazing on her. Wonderful gift, Lolly!
It looks fabulous! The color, the stitch definition, the photos, all of it! Definitely be proud of this project. I’m sure your sister loves it!
very nice! she looks so lovely in it too
It is beautiful and Sarah is a perfect model. You’re such a generous sister to make this for her. I, too, hope that she treasures it for years to come and finds warmth in the work of your hands. xoxoxo
It’s beautiful! You did a wonderful job with the knitting. You are such a good sister!
Ooh, it turned out wonderfully! And it looks great on Sarah, too. Yay!
I wish I had a sister to knit me such lovely things. And I might venture to say that this color beautifully spans Fire and Earth, being such a brick red. Reminds me of Georgia red clay.
This is absolutely beautiful! I really want to make it now! Congratulations–you’re a great sister.
Love the cardi!
Also, thanks for putting some Hall & Oates in my head – LOVE IT!
Smiles,
Erin
She looks so beautiful and the knitting is so lovely at first I thought the pics were from the magazine! Well done!
Since I am remarking behind Debi, I have to agree with her. You would thinks these were from a magazine or even a catalog for purchase. Well, done. Looks great on your sister. Beautiful color
What a beautiful sweater! It really does compliment your sister quite well.
And, totally aside, I giggled to learn that “muffin top” has a wikipedia entry.
Sarah looks gorgeous in her birthday cardigan. I think it is beautiful and I love the color too. Well done on knitting such a great present.
It’s gorgeous! Your sister must love it. The photography is great too!
Beautiful!!! perfect.
)
Fabulous! These photos could be right out of an issue of Interweave!!!
i love this sweater. it’s beautiful
It looks so great – perfect for her! I can tell she really likes it, too.
Gorgeous! You did an awesome job: the cardigan looks great, and it fits her beautifully!
Great sweater – I never would have picked that color myself, but it’s beautiful on your sister.
It looks beautiful on your sister.
It is gorgeous. And your sister looks so beautiful in it. How nice of you to make her such a nice gift.
oh, lovely, and lovely!
The sweater is lovely! So, how is your weaving coming along?
What a beautiful sweater. You did an awesome job and it fits her so well. Really CUTE!!
beeeeeeeeyyyuuuuuuuuutiful! what a nice sister you are.
That looks amazing, on a very pretty sister
I LOVE the color – ooooh I want to knit one now!
wow, that suits her so well! nice work lolly, lucky sister!
It is absolutely lovely—- your sister is very lovely and I can tell that she is quite blessed with your labor of birthday love!
Wow. How absolutely stunning! Your sister looks amazing in that cardi; how lucky she is to have you for a sister.