knits, notes, etc.

a bulky short-sleeved cardigan to wear over a turtle-necked shirt in the winter (or a rather frigid office). i had to have this after i saw ishi's modified version. and, actually, Hilary was another impetus to beginning this cardigan; she suggested a KAL. although she finished well before i did, i doubt i would have finished nearly as quick, otherwise. (ah, competition.)

hatcha!

Pattern Shalom Cardigan by Meghan McFarlane.
Source Involving the Senses.
Yarn Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky, M-83 Raspberry, 3.5 Skeins.
Needle US 10.5 (6.5 mm) and 10 (6 mm).
Modifications Began with WS row after caston. Added 2 buttons (for total of 3). Divided sts differently (more stitches for body, fewer stitches for sleeves). Knitted 2 rows less for each ribbed yoke section. Knitted extra rows in the back. Added short sleeves (knit in smaller needles). Simplified buttonholes. Knitted body straight (no shaping).

the pattern

although i admired this pattern very much for its simple construction (i love the seamlessness and especially the yoke shaping), i hadn't considered making it at all until i saw ishi's version on ravelry.

3 buttons!

one thing i noticed right off is that this pattern is really not intended for my size (34-35). Ishi's redivision of the stitches made it more wearable: more stitches for the body and fewer stitches for the sleeves. the extended sleeves (in the ribbed pattern) are a nice touch. i also prefer the three button closure.

i pretty much made all of ishi's mods, with some of my own details. the first time i casted on for the cardigan, i didn't like how it looked; so i decided to start again and make the first row the WS. this shifted around the pattern some. instead of knitting the buttonholes at the beginning of a RS row, i knit them at the end; the last four stitches: k2tog, yo, k2.

front blocking.

i think the most ingenious part of ishi's mods is the extra rows on the back after the yoke shaping. this really shapes the collar of cardigan, so that the back sits higher on your shoulders.

the yarn

Lamb's Pride Bulky knits up very nicely in the twisted rib pattern and in straight stockinette. the wool tends to be rather scratchy; i'm hoping it'll soften up a bit with more soaking.

back blocking.

i impulsively bought this yarn to knit the Estes Vest, by Hana Jason, from Interweave Knits Fall 2008. and boy do i mean impulsively. like, the day after writing about it. but i didn't want to get mired in a complicated cable knit project just then. and the more i thought about it the more reluctant i was to start it (since i actually have a bulky vest already). so here i was with 6 skeins of bulky yarn in deep red. Shalom appeared at the perfect time.