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!

For all of the work that I have put into this raglan cardigan, I sure have not blogged about it much…

The body of the cardigan was near complete when we left for our roadtrip down south… so it was all sleeves all the time for me! The pattern calls for a 12" circular needle for the sleeves - but I opted for double pointed needles. I am finally enjoying double pointed needles - I never would have said that a year ago!

Sleeve one on the trip down - I think we were somewhere in Tennessee …

Quiet Alabama evenings and peaceful surroundings were very condusive to knitting - I had to extend the sleeve length a few inches for Kris’s long arms, so it took a little longer than planned, but still very manageable. On the trip home, sleeve two was well on its way.

I swear, this yarn looks different every time I photograph it! It is working up quite well. I ordered all of the yarn at once (from handpaintedyarn.com - came to me from Uruguay) and while it said it was all the same dyelot, I am not quite sure … perhaps this is what happens with kettle-dyed yarns? It is not extremely noticeable - and it kind of fits in with the whole "rustic" feel of the sweater (well, that is at least what I am telling myself…) but just a little consideration for anyone thinking about this yarn… more details on that when I have the finished cardigan to show you (hopefully soon!)

Another thing: I will have to *block the living daylights* out of this knit - the deep 4 x 4 ribbing plus the wool make it appear more like a doll sweater than a man’s…

Last Wednesday evening, I met up with Donna, Eilene, and Heather (and Pixie!) for a yarn shop perusal, and a belated gift exchange. We had a great time looking around All About Yarn, our LYS that continues to amaze me with their new things, and then we headed over to one of our fave Italian restaurants for dinner. Dinner was followed up with some nice warm coffee - it was cold outside! Unfortunately, we were not able to really knit together this time - but we sure talked about it!

Heather, Donna (in her new knit cardigan!) and Eilene at the coffee shop

I came home with some goodies, thanks to some Christmas gift money (burning a hole in my pocket!) and from my friends.

A lovely Zelda knitting bag (constructed with vintage fabric!) from Donna and Eilene (thank you!) and a little silk notions pouch from Eilene -my stitch marker collection is already in there! Not pictured is the yummy Satsuma lotion and bath gel from Heather, and the oh-so-fun Harry Potter word puzzle book! (LOVE IT!)

The Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton Noro Revisited, and the Skacel Zitron Trekking XXL sock yarn (colorway 68) were purchases from Christmas money. Trekking XXL is a great sock yarn - and I can’t wait to knit these up. And ever since Klaralund, I have been very interested in Hamilton’s designs - and this book has some nice things - some that I would never be able to wear, but still an amazing design - and then some very beautiful (and wearable) items:

Kolsva cowl neck and the Tista child dress

Thank you so much for your sweet wishes on our anniversary!

Our Wednesday road trip to Alabama went really well – we made good time, and got to my aunt and uncle’s house in about 12 hours. As Kris drove through Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and finally Alabama, I sat beside knitting away on Kris’s sweater. Yeah, you heard right – I did not finish Kris’s sweater in time for his birthday last Monday – but it is coming along quite well.

I finished the body, and am now working on the sleeves; after finishing those, I have to join together for the yoke, and then install the zipper – that’s a cinch, right?

Just for a little variety, and to close up some loose ends (no better time to work on lingering 2005 knits than on the Eve of 2006, huh?) I brought my socks along. Second Sock Syndrome hit me pretty hard… but I am trying my darndest to eradicate that now…

I finished the first Diagonal pattern sock during Socktoberfest, and not did not start the second one until December. I am using Cascade Fixation, which is quite fun to work with – the cotton / elastic blend makes a nice fabric that stretches. Next time I work with this yarn, I am planning to go down a needle size (I am currently using US 3s, but I think the US 2s would suit my knitting and my foot size a little better).

I love this sock. This is the Dublin Bay pattern from Mossy Cottage Knits. The yarn is one of the best I have worked with (Tess Designer Yarns; Heather bought this for me at Stitches East 2005) and the slight color variations make such a lovely fabric. I worked this one up on US 1s, so it is a very small thick fabric – just perfect for a sock. The small gauge and tight knitting did a number on my double pointed needles, though! I finished this sock the day after Christmas, and will be starting sock 2 very soon. Can’t wait to have a finished pair and show these lovelies off.

My aunt and I have scouted out several thrift shops in Alabama – I picked up several sweaters to unravel (among them a wool/angora in carnation pink, an aquamarine chunky wool turtleneck, and wool/cotton variegated funnel neck – pictures to come when I get back home!) We have also been knitting quite a bit too. It is so much fun being able to share this knitting hobby (obsession?) with my family.

My mom finished her first scarf – she knit it up in a nice stockinette with garter edges to lay flat. She already gave it away to a friend for Christmas! I wish my first scarf had turned out this nicely!

Right after giving my sister, Sarah, some new needles and yarn for Christmas, she cast on for a scarf – and the word on the street is that she is already finished with it! Haven’t seen it with my own eyes yet, though

Kris and I will be back in Maryland on the 3rd, so expect some fun Alabama pictures, thrift store finds, and maybe, just maybe, a finished pair of socks.

Aran Tweed Beret
Yarn: Jo Sharp Aran Tweed in Jewel colorway
Pattern: Jo Sharp Contemporary Knitting II (a gift from Jac!)
Notes: Hard to photograph the true color - this is the closest! The hat could also be a little longer to cover the ears fully. This would have required an extra ball of yarn - I had about 3 inches of yarn left after seaming - really cut it close!

Quick, easy, and fun. It was not knit in the round, so it required a quick seam, but otherwise, very painless. I liked working with this yarn. Then again, I have not yet met a tweed I did not like! I realized later the the particular way I am wearing this hat in the picture looks more like a beanie than a beret. Trust me, it can look like a beret too. I can’t wait to make some of the other lovely things out of this book. Another thank you to Jacqueline for sending it to me all the way from Australia!

This was my first Jo Sharp knit, and I have to say, after looking through her new Eclectic book in All About Yarn (and on the website), I don’t think it will be the last. I am quite fond of that square-neck tank…

Kris and I had a long weekend with the snow day on Friday. This gave me some extra time to work on my paper - it is going well, and I am close to finishing. Most of my weekend was spent working on that, and preparing the Vickie Howell interview. Thank you so much for the feedback on that post.

On Sunday night, we went to see our nieces in a Christmas pagent. They were both so cute and animated. We love every minute with them!

K and M with matching snowman dresses!

After the play, we went to visit with my parents for a while - my sister is back from college for Winter Break already. She got out before me!

Imagine my surprise and delight when they both pulled out their knitting! Remember, the knitting lesson at Thanksgiving? Well, both Mom and Sarah are pros now! Mom is already making another scarf to give as a gift, and Sarah is knitting up a variegated garter scarf! I am so proud! *tear*

This means that only my dad and Mimi are left! The family that knits together…

Now that the beret is done, and my head and ears can be warm, my attention has moved squarely to Kris’s zippered cardigan. Thanks for the zipper suggestions! Am I crazy for actually looking forward to that part? (just to try it?) The yarn is working up pretty nicely - it is thick and thin in some parts, which makes the gauge a little wonky, but Kris commented that he really liked it - and that is what matters. The yarn is a great color - a warm golden caramel.

Eight and half inches behind me. I am loving every minute of this.

Stay tuned for answers to Karma’s music meme tag and some overdue Socktoberfest updates in the next entry - until then!

My beret, born out of necessity (we got snow and ice last night!) is near completion, and mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the cardigan.

Perhaps I am a bit naïve, but I have it in my mind that I can get this cardigan started, knit, and ready for my baby by his birthday on December 26th. Can it happen? I am gonna try my darndest. Especially since this will be my first zipper installation - any tips on where I should buy the zipper? do you know a good tutorial for installation?

Just to prove my resolve in getting this knit done, I swifted and wound some of the handpainted yarn last night. I think it looks like caramel…

My friend *Jenna* just finished a lovely hat and mitten set from SnB Nation with this same yarn (in PINK) and it looks fabulous - go check it out!

I have many other knits that I could work on… The camisole is lingering on the needles, as well as two pairs of socks that need mates. (Bad Socktoberfest mistress…) and then there is this sash for Mimi that I started awhile back, and still have not really spent any time on it.

See? Novelty yarn is good for something! Funny how the simplest and easiest thing (straight garter stitch on size 11s) got pushed back in the queue… but, hey, she lives in Hawaii and can wear this anytime. It will get to you one day, sis!

Poor Hourglass has received very little showtime round these parts - I knit a few rounds the other day, and am getting closer to the bust increases, but then she went back into the bag, as I finished up on Klaralund.

I was knitting this together with my girl friend, Becca, but we both got side tracked with grad school stuff - maybe the Hourglass return will take place in 2006. I do love it, I just love other things more now. You know the feeling…

New Mexico girl, Scout, had a fun challenge on her blog this week: show your knitting space! I decided to take her up - and you can too!

When school is particularly busy and the reading is long, I try to pull off the reading and knitting trick while sitting on my bed. Depending on the level of concentration needed for the book (or for the knitting) this may or may not work:

It just so happens that I was working on the stockinette on my beret and reading a book (for next week’s big paper). Socks were 4 pairs for $10 at Old Navy. I have a weakness for socks - handknit or otherwise.

My other knitting spot was usurped by a black puppy (Bella) and an orange kitty (Rusty). They aren’t really supposed to be up there… but it was so cute, I could not be mean mommy.

Show Scout where you create your lovely knits!

Knitted toys are so hot right now. I had to get in on the craze. I bought Jess Hutchinson’s self-published toy book yesterday. (BTW: how cool is that? way to go Jess on publishing your own book!) I see these little toys as the perfect way to stash bust, and to create fun and whimsical little friends for yourself and as gifts. I have my eyes on the robot doll

Speaking of whimsical knit toys and FUN, tomorrow is my Vickie Howell interview! I hope you are as excited about it as I am! Wanna know what Vickie is knitting now? what her knitting/crafting philosophies are? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s entry to find out…

PS-Tomorrow (10 December) is the last day to donate to the Earthquake Relief and qualify for some of the donated gifts. This blog was set up by Jessica who worked so hard to get the message out. Please contribute if you are able. I donated through Oxfam International, however, there are several other groups taking donations. See the blog for more information.