Petrol Cardigan Complete and a Buttohole Tutorial
Guess what? My sweater is finished and I'm happy to report that I've already worn it yesterday. Oh my, I have to say that I will probably make a third sweater like this one, from Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy book of Top Down Sweaters. She is a mathematical genius!
For the edging of the body and sleeves, I chose garter stitch and then an Icord bind off. This technique gives the cardigan a polished look.
Of course, Quince and Company Tern wool is heavenly to knit with. I love how crisp the stitches look and the way the wool silk blend takes the dye differently. Such depth!!
I thought you'd all like to see an outtake photo...I thought it was funny. I take all of the photos with the camera timer or with a very very very long arm reach :)
Ah much better! Ravelry notes are here
Buttonhole Tutorial:
Just a quick note, Andrea from This Knitted Life blog commented on a previous post about the dreaded button holes and bands. I thought I'd share how I do my button placement.
First off, when the cardigan is finished I place stitch marchers on the button side approximately one inch from the top and the bottom. Then I place stitch markers in between those beginning and end markers 2 - 2 1/2 inches apart. If you go 3+ inches you will have gaps when the cardigan is buttoned.
If you have a repeating lace pattern, like I do above, then the stitch markers can be placed exactly after so many lace repeats. Mine was five repeats, place a marker.
Okay, now I pick up stitches - three stitches are picked up for every four rows all across the edge. For this sweater, I knit three garter ridges and then started the buttonhole row.
I knit to the stitch marker then -yo, knit 2 tog - and tried to have about 12-14 knitted stitches between the buttonholes. A stitch here and there between 12-14 stitches will not be noticed in fingering weight yarn.
Love this sweater! The color is wonderful and the style looks wearable and simply elegant.
ReplyDeleteYou may have knit the perfect cardigan -- I love the color, lace detail, and how wearable it is. I'm not a sweater knitter, but you've got me seriously considering this one.
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL!!!
ReplyDeleteOh Karen, it's lovely! I love that color too!
ReplyDeleteAw, you are so sweet to mention me and include a tutorial. This is very reassuring and helpful, but I am still coming over to your house for help with my first button band (even if it is 4,000 miles away).
ReplyDeleteYou knit a beautiful cardigan. I love the lace detail and the lovely color!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cardigan! I love everything about it: the color, the style, the yarn and the buttons you chose. And the fit looks perfect.
ReplyDeleteYour cardigan turned out absolutely lovely! You'll have a great time with such a wearable piece! Well done!
ReplyDeletelovely lovely! and that colour!!! yay!
ReplyDeleteThe cardigan is lovely! It looks amazing on you-everything about it is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful pattern and yarn, it looks amazing on you. I am not really a knitter prefer to crochet but my dear Mum always has something on her needles. I may be able to tempt her with this one.
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this sweater! Especially the color. I have Anne Budd's Top Down Sweater book and I'm interested in getting it down off the shelf now and planning my own sweater....on top of everything else I have going on... :)
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful Karen and I can't believe you have already worn it, I am melting down here!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's the prettiest knit I've seen today. YOu deserve to wear it out! I love blues. Thanks for the button tutorial. Buttons get to me too! Glad to hear you loved your quince and co yarn. My daughter swears by them
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThat sweater is to die for! And it fits you perfectly! The lace panels are so pretty. And thanks for the button tutorial!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I love it.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! One of my favorite colors!
ReplyDelete*claps* YAY! What a lovely finish. I love the feminine detailing of the lace and how the sleeves almost has a puffy sleeve look on top. This would be so sweet with a dress or a top with a Peter Pan collar.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Lovely cardigan, it looks lovely on you too. xx
ReplyDeletelovely. love the lace detail
ReplyDeleteIt's a really lovely sweater and I am cheering that you are already wearing it. I brace myself every time I do a button band, but there is no way I can do it without those clippy stitch markers! Ha, now that I think about it, I wonder if this is why most of my cardigans I've been knitting have been open style and button free, ha!
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous, and looks lovely on you :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely sweater. The Quince colors are so rich. Thanks for posting the information on the buttonholes.
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous Karen!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sweater! and I love the color!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely cardigan! I looks wonderful on you. I am off to find that book so I can take a look at the pattern.
ReplyDeleteIt's truly beautiful!! Wow.
ReplyDeleteAs with everything you knit Karen, this is beautiful! I love the outtake photo! Top down sweaters are one of favorites to knit.
ReplyDeleteLove the sweater. You always pick the prettiest colors.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cardigan!!
ReplyDeleteOoooh! Beautiful! I love the simplicity of it. The small lace borders really make it and the color is gorgeous. It also fits you perfectly. Impressive!
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous, I love the colour. Thank you for the tutorial it makes perfect sense and sounds so easy when put like that!
ReplyDeleteThis cardigan looks great on you! The blue is just perfect. Thanks for the buttonhole tutorial!
ReplyDeletePerfect! I love the detail, and the colour is fab.
ReplyDelete