Thursday 26 May 2011

FO: Holiday Cardi

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Pattern: Amiga

Yarn: Americo Original 100% Pima Cotton Flame

Needles: 4.5 mm (US 7)

Mods: I always knit my sleeves flat, and seam them. I tapered the sleeves by decreasing two stitches on each side every 3 rows 3 times (so in total, 6 stitches decreased in each sleeve) about 1.5 inches from sleeve hem. I also did 4 rows of ribbing, since I don’t like rolled hem sleeves. I didn’t do the button or the button hole, and lengthened the cardigan substantially.

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Notes: I cast on for this a few days before I went on vacation, specifically with the idea of having a nice stockinette knit to chisel away at while travelling.It was a great project for it, and I'm especially pleased with how the simple shape really makes the most of the slubby yarn, which had been sitting in my stash for two years, because I wasn't sure what to do with it. Unlike the many other things that have sat in my stash for multiple years- I tend to know exactly what I want to do with it (one day).

The only thing that I'm not crazy about is that the fabric stretches out at the elbows and gets 'elbow bag'. but really, that's a lot of sweaters, so... not a huge complaint. cotton yarn isn't known for it's elastic qualities, so I'm not that fussed.
Holiday Cardigan, Dubrovnik
I want to always have an FO while on a fun holiday. Because even though in these photos it's raining and I'm about 45 minutes away from going to bed for the rest of the day because I feel so rotten...  you can't tell- the landscape just makes the photos so striking. Yay for holiday FOs!

34 comments:

Carolee479 said...

Very nice! Beautiful backdrop for taking FO pics. I've been thinking about making that cardi, but I'm not committed yet. Seeing yours may have just pushed me a bit more towards making one.

Anonymous said...

I love it! And your photos are gorgeous, as always. I'm sad that you were ill on your trip. Maybe you can go back someday.

Sam said...

It's gorgeous and what a lovely backdrop. Sorry you were feeling so poorly.

I've just completed a cotton cardi and have the same problem with bagging on the elbows.

Katie said...

I love the color and the longer length! Very inspiring FO!

Prairie Rose said...

Very lovely Cardi!
And the background is stunning!
Sorry you did not feel well, I hope you were able to feel better quick and enjoy your trip.
I stumbled apon your blog and am enjoying getting to know you and see your lovely projects that you knit.

Knit 1 LA said...

Welcome back! Nothings worse than not being in your own bed when you're sick, at least you were in a beautiful locale! And the Cardi looks lovely!

Kara said...

So stunning! I could see myself wearing this all the time! Perfect for your lovely holiday.

Erin Kate said...

So beautiful! And you are too, of course.

Susan said...

I agree with you - the backdrop is perfect for an FO photo shoot. You look fabulous, despite feeling under the weather.

Voie de Vie said...

Your husband did a great job shooting the FO, and getting all the important shots of the cardi. It looks fabulous on you - and that backdrop is perfect.

I like your version w/o the buttons. Since you lengthened it, how much extra yardage did you require?

Anonymous said...

beautiful! that's a great versatile color, and i like the extra length!

Julie said...

I should have specified- I lengthened it by about 4-5 inches, and it didn't affect my skein total at all- it was still a bit less than two skeins of the yarn.

Anonymous said...

awesome cardi! it's perfect, neutral and layerable! i think you're going to get so much wear out of it... it's always a huge relief to me to figure out the perfect project for yarn that has been languishing.

Monique said...

Oh I see the little elbow bag in the second photo! Well, since you're on vacation, maybe that will come in handy to help you carry small items around. LOL!
Anywhoo, I think this sweater is great! I absolutly love sheer knits and this is a great little sweater to grab and go and toss on during these cool spring nights. Hope you're having a blast on vacation!

Maryse said...

I love how it looks! Seems like a cardi that will get a lot of wearing and praising! I love its simplicity and how feminine it looks! Lovely pics as always!

soknitpicky said...

That looks awesome! It's a paerfect pairing of pattern + yarn. Glad you had a good holiday...and glad you're back!

Brendaknits said...

I am about to start my Amiga with the Cotton Flamme. Yours looks lovely - as does the scenery. Did you do anything to the bottom of the sweater to prevent curling or the flare in the back as seen in the Knitty photo ?

Ashley said...

Aw, I'm sorry you're sick :(

Your cardi turned out super cute, though. You picked such a nice gray and I think it looks really nice without the buttons. And stash yarn? What's that? :p

(no, really, good for you)

Teresa said...

Nice FO! I do love the background :) It must feel really good to utilize an old stashee... I'd love to get on that myself!

Lise said...

Love the cardi! Any particular reason why you always knit sleeves flat? Great mods btw.

CelticCastOn said...

I would never have considered this pattern before your version. Looks lovely in the slubby yarn.

Skein said...

Love it especially your mods...really wonderful.

margaux said...

Gorgeous Job!! I have never heard of Elbow Bag before but I get what you mean! You truly are the most beautiful "sick" person I've ever seen... I would horrify you. HA! xox

Kitty Couture said...

How very lovely!

WildflowerWool said...

The sweater turned out great!

Caffeine Girl said...

As always, you did a great job with the Cardi. I love the pattern, but isn't it knit with fingering or lace weight?

So sorry you were sick on your trip. That is the worst. A couple years ago I spent a couple days in bed -- in the coast of Maine! Very frustrating!

yoel said...

Gorgeous! The drapey stockinette is perfect for the slubby yarn. Hope you had a fun trip!

Jules said...

Nice cardi! I like the mods you made, and even ill you look stunning in it :o) I've never seen this pattern before but it might work for some silk I've had in my stash and didn't know what to do with. Don't know what to do about "elbow bag," but there may be a solution somewhere. Thanks for sharing your holiday pics. It looks like you had a terrific time, in spite of not feeling so great, and the scenery is unbeatable.

Jacey said...

It's gorgeous! The slubbiness of the yarn looks so cozy. Well done, and your exotic FO shots are lovely!

The Sweatshop of Love said...

So pretty! What a great summer sweater to always have in your bag. Saggy elbows and all, I love it!

Hania said...

Great FO! Love the yarn :)

Kristin said...

Love this so much!

Monica said...

Oh, sick on vacation...I hate it when that happens. The cardi is beautiful, I especially love the color, and I only wish all my FO's could be photographed wich such a background!

Sandy said...

Beautiful sweater! And lovely photos :)