Poetry In Stitches page 166

April 13, 2018 at 11:09 pm Leave a comment

aka “Leaf Stripe Cardigan with Velvet Trim (Page 166)“

Sweater kit with Hifa 2 yarn.
The sweater knit up (no buttons or lining) weighs 546 grams.
I made two 8″x8″ swatches and had plenty of yarn leftover, enough for a hat, maybe mittens.
Hifa 2 is light and springy. The colors are rich, colorfast and very very little stray vegetation. It blocks wonderfully, the yarn blooms and stitches become more uniform and smooth.

KEEPING YARN COLOR IN ORDER
The orientation of the two yarns affects the knitted pattern. It is important to keep the colors in the same order (or in the same hands).
I chose the lower row.

BLOCKING: curling eliminated, yarn blooms, stitches even out and relax to a gentle drape.

Before blocking

After blocking

FLOATS
There are long carries in this pattern, up to 11 stitches. I kept my floats to 4 stitches or less by catching them.

Reverse side

Buttons from much missed, The Button Emporium & Ribbonry in Portland.

Ravelry is always a great resource. Comparing the photos in the book with examples people had knit provided clues on sizing/fit and what I wanted to modify.
Another clue: The Poetry In Stitches photo shows the sweater body is carefully folded at the sides hiding a lot of armpit bulk commonly seen on drop sleeve sweaters with no body shaping.

MODIFICATIONS:

1) Worked back and forth, knit and purled.
Because I can.
Steeking has ZERO appeal to me.
Reference: The knitting experience, book 3 COLOR by Sally Melville

2) Neckline is knitted in, instead of cutting the fabric.

3) Reduce bulkiness of drop shoulder style.
Reference: Knitting Pattern Essentials by Sally Melville
– shoulder shaping for better shape and less bulk down the sides
– modified drop shoulder for better fit and reduced bulk
– reduced the sleeve increases for a less bulky sleeve

4) Knitted hem – Provisional Cast On + K2tog hem closure
– provisional cast on
– continue 18 rows of pattern
– fold the hem
– Row 19 (first burgundy row) K2tog using one provisional cast on stitch with one main body stitch