Arwen
Pattern: A Cardigan for Arwen by Kate Gilbert from Interweave Knits, Winter 2006
Yarn: Artfibers Ming - 50% wool, 50% silk
Needles: Knitpicks Options, 9 for the body, 7's for the neckline and hem
Started: April 2007
Finished: October 20, 2007
Comments: I love this sweater! I'm so glad I splurged on the yarn for it - it's super soft and shiny and lovely. I have experienced some pilling (especially after wearing it all weekend at Rhinebeck with bag straps rubbing over it), but it's nothing that a little shaver action won't fix.
In case you can't tell, I heavily modified the collar and neckline (the original has a hood with the cable running up around it. So... I mitered the cable (using the instructions from Viking Patterns For Knitters) and then knit the cable until it met, and grafted it at the back of the neck.
Can you see my grafting? I can
I also bound off the stockinette part so that the cable would have a nice gentle scoop up the neck. In retrospect, I might have bound off a bit too much, because the neckline is much more of a boatneck than I expected, but it doesn't bother me enough to rip it out and fix it :). I added three hooks and eyes on the front for now - next year, when I don't have a baby belly anymore, I will likely add hooks and eyes down the entire front. Right now, though, the fronts don't meet, and the extra hooks would just catch on things!
Fancy mitered cables!
The sleeves are the perfect length. They're a tiny bit snug, if I wear a long sleeve shirt underneath, but perfect over a t-shirt. I lengthened the body a bit, too, so it hangs to my hips. There was some drama about running out of yarn, and ripping out the back and reknitting it, but all's well that ends well! And this ended well - I love my Arwen!!
Posted by Sarah at November 7, 2007 11:23 PM | in: Finished Objects | PermalinkI'm first! Yey for Mountain Time! I like it too... in fact I think it's BEAUTIFUL. And I think that the three hooks and eyes over the baby belly are perfect!
Posted by: Jenna on November 8, 2007 12:07 AMI love your mods. Really lovely and it looks great on you! See I do read your blog!
Posted by: Carrie on November 8, 2007 08:17 AMI think you just earned a blackbelt in knitting for mitering cables. And seriously, you're glowing!
Posted by: natalie on November 8, 2007 08:34 AMIt looked great at Rhinebeck! Wear it well!
PS - How're you feeling these days? Any better? Can you feel real kicks now? We should talk before this weekend. We're not getting down to DC until Sunday. What are you doing Tuesday morning?
Posted by: Cara on November 8, 2007 09:05 AMoh yay! this looks awesome! i love it and glad you do too!
Posted by: laura on November 8, 2007 09:30 AMoh sarah, it's so gorgeous! mitering cables? you RULE. that baby is gonna have some good yarn-genes!
Posted by: ann on November 8, 2007 09:34 AMI think the neckline and the way it opens over your baby bump is PERFECT!!! It came out great!
Posted by: Lara on November 8, 2007 11:25 AMWow - I love the modified collar!! What an awesome idea! Love it!!
Posted by: Jody on November 8, 2007 01:54 PMIt looks wonderful. The pulling it apart and reknitting it was worth it!! And I too think the mitered cable is a bit of showing off!!VBG!!!!
Love you
MOM
who is one pattern set away from having Daddy Irish Hiking Scarf DONE!!!!! (yes I'm yelling!)
So pretty - and the crafting at the back of the neck looks great!
Posted by: ellen on November 11, 2007 09:19 PMIt came out fabulously! You are impressive with the mitreing and grafting and all that technical what-not. Great job!
Posted by: fawn pea on November 12, 2007 01:49 PMVery pretty! I like how you made is pseudo-maternity as well, very practical.
Posted by: Jamie on November 12, 2007 03:01 PMArwen kicks butt! Seriously gorgeous sweater. Next month when I go to San Fran, I want to pick out some Ming yarn at ArtFibers.
Posted by: Kim on November 14, 2007 10:09 AMMore updates! How is the baby room coming? Have you registered yet?
Posted by: Jenna on November 18, 2007 10:57 AMi found this post via a link in the ravelry IK group. your arwen is gorgeous! the mods are beautiful and you did a great job on mitering the cables. enjoy!
Posted by: jody on November 18, 2007 01:56 PMWow wow wow. I liked the sweater when I saw it but I wasn't crazy about it. Now I totally want to make one!! Yours is stunning.
Posted by: Jody on November 21, 2007 10:20 AMWow, Sarah, it's beautiful! and you look gorgeous in these pictures.
Posted by: Carrie on November 21, 2007 10:33 AMThat's a FINE cardigan. I was never keen on cardigan for Arwen until I saw your version, and you've convinced me that I should make it (if I try your modifications!).
Posted by: Catherine on November 24, 2007 05:45 AMOh this is lovely! Perfect yarn for the cables - well done!
Posted by: Faith on November 28, 2007 09:19 PM