Finished - the Pinky Featherweight Cardigan!

I've a couple of finished projects this week to post but I was just so excited about this one it's been given top priority..... I've finally finished knitting my first cardigan - the Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig.

I'm just so thrilled with it. It has literally taken me 4 months of steady knitting to finish this - knitted using 2 strands of Patons Embrace, a lace-weight merino-silk blend. I decided to do 2 strands to give a slightly heavier-weight fabric - the one strand would have been just as nice I am sure but I didn't want it see-through - there's not much point knitting a wool cardigan for a third of the year if it's not warm. I'm so proud of it - it finished drying this morning from being blocked, on it went and didn't come off for the rest of the day!

It's a very simple design, knitted top down with raglan sleeves (the stitch increases are SO pretty!) with the collar added at the end by picking up stitches. I chose to do my collar band in 1x1 rib as I do get a bit annoyed by the way stockinette curls. Initially I did the finished length (before doing the collar band) but it was ridiculously short on me so I fearlessly cut the ribbing off, picked up my stitches and knitted another 3 inches in length before redoing the bottom ribbing. That cost me a week. Lesson learned there!

I knitted the sleeves using DPN's and quite enjoyed using them - I used bamboo needles so there was little risk of the stitches going AWOL - there was a little bit of spiralling where I was changing from needle to needle, but it has pretty much disappeared with the blocking. I found with my Purl Bee knit that using another piece of yarn as a safety line left that row of stitches bigger and an obvious line was present in the knitting, so this time I used top stitching sewing thread - worked a treat. I also picked up a few extra stitches in the armpits to help close up the armpit holes when working the sleeves. The other idea I had (which I thought was pretty bloody nifty for a beginner) was running a contrasting coloured thread all around the neckline when picking up my collar stitches to make it easier to stay in the same row. I ended up picking up one stitch for every stitch at the ribbing, then following the recommended 2:3 ratio on the sides, and 1:1 around the neckline.

Will you just LOOK at those pretty shoulder stitches!!! Who'd have thought me capable of it? Certainly not Past-Sarah! I've got to say I put it on this morning and my cerebral cortex had a little spasmo, puffing out a squirt of dopamine and giving my brain's addiction centre a little tickle (more it said - knit some MORE MORE MORE!). It is such an addictive hobby - especially when you end up with a winner like this one! 4 months? Totally worth it.