Thursday 20 September 2012

FO: French Chestnut

chestnut 5- final 
Pattern: French Braid Cardigan

Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label Aran in ' Chestnut'

Needles: 4.5 mm (US 7) circulars

Notes:  I finished it by the end of the paralympic games!! This was my modified deadline after I was totally left in the dust on the Ravellenic Games- In the past I've always been able to finish a sweater in that time, but now that I have a baby, I need to modify my expectations (read: smaller knits, or longer timelines). But hey- it's my first sweater since Lila was born:

This sweater is awesome. I love the angle of the cable on the front panels, it gives the illusion of really flattering waist shaping. It was a really straightforward knit, too- once it was set up, I hardly needed to look at the pattern, as the cable detail is easy to memorize.  The beginning is quite interesting- it begins with the back of the neck on the collar, and begins in a way similar to the 'tab' method of casting on for a shawl. It means that there is very little finishing once you're done your knitting- just weave in whatever ends you have, block, and go!

I'm really happy with my colour choice. I feel like I'm going to get a lot of wear out of this, especially since fall showed up with a vengenace this week- so much for a slow taper into cooler weather!

45 comments:

Zenitude said...

It's beautiful! That colour is so interesting with all the shading in it.

Stripeyspots said...

So entranced with that colour!

Makunka said...

Beautiful! I realy admire it.

NJ said...

I love the colour. It's beautiful.

Lisle said...

It's lovely! And you look great wearing it. Good job!

Erin Kate said...

It's gorgeous! Congrats !

Carmela Biscuit said...

Very interesting pattern and the yarn is just gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

That is an absolutely gorgeous sweater. Awesome job!

azwoolgirl said...

How beautiful and the color is quite stunning!

Anonymous said...

Oh this is SO BEAUTIFUL! And the color with sets off your lovely complexion perfectly. I love the shape of the sweater too.

Andrea said...

I like the construction of this cardi. Looks like it would flatter plus sizes, too. Not having to pay close attention to the pattern is a bonus! Okay, I am not seriously considering making my own!

Andrea said...

Oh, I meant NOW seriously. Silly. And yes, those copper hues really suit you!

Evelyn said...

You must feel great to have finished your first sweater post-baby! You picked the perfect colorway -- enjoy wearing it and thanks for the inspiration!

Silvia M. said...

It turned out lovely! :D

Anonymous said...

I love your French Braid Cardi :-) I saw the pics uploaded on rav yesterday and immediately faved it. I purchased the pattern as soon as Tanis released it but I'm undecided on a color and yarn.

Chestnut has so many shades of brown in it it's gorgeous knitted up.

Unknown said...

Yay! Your finished French Braid looks amazing on you. I agree with everyone else who said that the Chestnut colourway really suits you. I hope that you get a lot of wear out of your new cardigan this fall!

iikku said...

It't so beautiful =) And I love the color!

Voie de Vie said...

That turned out just super - super color on you, and a super finished cardi for the new mom! Lila may have her own twitter account, but she doesn't have *that* cardi. :)

juniperjune said...

gorgeous!! what a lovely color & sweater!

Brendaknits said...

Your French Braid is wonderful From pattern to colour choice. Perffect.

Unknown said...

It turned out really lovely!

Melyssa said...

Gorgeous!! Turned out so beautifully and perfect for fall:)

Alana said...

Looks beautiful! And way to go with losing all of the baby weight already!

Kat said...

Gorgeous!!! I love the cable detail. I don't really knit garments for myself but one of my goals this year is to make a wearable garment for myself. All I tend to knit me are hats and scarves. I have a cardi pattern saved and some gorgeous kelly green yarn waiting. Now I just need to start....

Kristen Rettig said...

This is the prettiest French Braid I've seen. Lovely color too.

knitterPat said...

Wow! You look gorgeous! I love the colour, yarn and pattern too!:)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous cardi! I love how the cables swing out to visually shape the figure. Well done!

Jean said...

gorgeous! and the yarn! it's breathtaking. A perfect fall color.

Neulisti said...

Beautiful! The chestnut color is amazing. :)

Anonymous said...

This looks absolutely stunning! This little guy is somewhere on my Ravelry queue and I totally love the color you went for with this.

Lindsey said...

Nice work. The color looks great on you, and the pattern looks complicated and chic.

Helen said...

What a great pattern! I love the color.

Suzi Musse said...

very beautiful!

Sarah said...

Congrats on a beautiful sweater, but also with the contentment of your 'new' deadline. Very satisfying to adjust expectations and still be happy with the results!

Katie said...

So glad that your modified deadline worked out perfectly! It really is a gorgeous sweater, that yarn is really pretty, and perfect for fall.

Maryse said...

It is gorgeous! I really love it and my copy you! ;-)

Unknown said...

Perfect autumn sweater! It's so beautiful. I'm really keen on the colour, too. Methinks I need to buy that yarn!

Cassy said...

That looks amazing with your hair! Congrats on finishing with the new deadline.

Preeti said...

What a gorgeous sweater and in such a stunning colorway!

Yarny Days said...

This is definitely beautiful and as you said, a great color choice!

margaux said...

so late to the party! But gorgeous sweater :-)

Isabelle said...

That is an amazing sweater! Well done. The colour is perfect for you.

Nat at Made in Home said...

So beautiful love the colour! Well done for finishing it.

Jacey said...

I love absolutely everything about this sweater! The color, the cables, the semi-solid-ness. Everything! It looks great on you!

eliza said...

it turned out beautifully! it looks extremely wearable, as well! hope you love it!