Just as spring has sprung ... the Everyday Cardigan is rapidly approaching the Finished Object status.
I had my doubts as the finished cardigan pieces were pretty stiff, so instead of just doing a spray and block, I took the dramatic step of pitching all the pieces into the bath with a couple of liberal squirts of Fairy Dishwashing detergent. I was careful not to agitate too much, while visions of felted cushion covers danced before me. (OK, I tried to use Dawn like all the knitting lists always suggest, but it's not available in the UK and if I asked my family to post it to me from the US, they would think that I'm nuts... which is what my brother implied when I asked him to post me a 3 ring binder, 12 packets of kool-aid and a roll of cherry lifesavers.)
After a quick wash and rinse, I rolled the pieces into a towel to get rid of the excess water. It's still drying/blocking, I just unpinned the pieces for the photo-shoot. I really want to wear this cardigan tomorrow, but it's been drying since yesterday night and it's still damp.
The sleeves done as per the pattern, really bothered me, so in the end, I ripped both and reknitted. Instead of starting with 38 stitches for the cuffs, I cast on 46 and increased 2 stitches every 6 rows. The sleeves are now much less bat-wing-ish. I just couldn't go through life thinking people were humming the Batman theme each time that I walked by. OK, call me paranoid, but I prefer a more gently sloping sleeve.
Happy Easter everyone ... and for those of you that were in Peter Jones (Sloan Square) today, did you have the chocolate dipped strawberry or mashmallow?
Posted by atu at April 10, 2004 07:02 PMForever in search of the perfect cardigan . . . I think this one is a contender.
I just have to ask: how do you knit so fast, Polly? Amazing!
Posted by: Ann at April 18, 2004 02:36 PMPolly- Your EC looks lovely, I wish I could wear green!
Anytime you want a *Yank* fix, just ask..... plenty of Koolaid, Dawn, Lifesavers, Twinkies, you name it :)
I will make a deal with you, I will send you a big bottle of Dawn if you send me a bottle of Fairy, which we cannot get in the US. I love the smell of Fairy. It is by far my favorite dish detergent and I figure if you have to wash dishes you might as well use something that makes it a little more pleasant. What do you say?
Posted by: Jane at April 12, 2004 05:19 PMYour EC looks great. A quick question-did you find the color quite different than it looked on the website? I got it in the dk weight, and it is totally different. Luckily, my daughter loves it, so she will be wearing it.
Posted by: Teresa C at April 12, 2004 01:00 AMPolly, your Everyday Cardigan is coming along in leaps and bounds, you are such a speedy knitter! The colour is just beautiful, I love it.
Happy Easter to you and James, I trust that you received more chocolate this weekend than a chocolate strawberry.
Posted by: Louise at April 12, 2004 12:24 AMDear Polly,
The cardi is beautiful, and such a good idea about starting the cuffs wider. I hope to make this pattern for my elderly mother, when the Georgia Rose Peace Fleece I've ordered arrives.
The knitting, as always, is beautiful - you're a real inspiration to many of us, so Thank You.
Happy Easter!
Posted by: Jennifer at April 11, 2004 09:17 PMTry washing delicate woolens in Ecover Delicate or non bio laundry liquid. I find it is excellent , soft, gentle and no awful synthetic smell.
http://www.ecover.com/english/html/products/wasmiddelen.htm
You can buy it in Waitrose and many other places.
Cardigan looks really good.
The Everyday Cardigan is a great knockaround pattern and yours looks great. Love that Peace Fleece. Buuuutttt, for a better fit, yet simple, straightforward styling and very little sewing up, check out Oat Couture patterns. Once I discovered them, I just about live in them for everyday. Great. proportions!
Yours looks super.
Posted by: Pubah at April 11, 2004 01:38 PMThe Everyday Cardigan is a great knockaround pattern and yours looks great. Love that Peace Fleece. Buuuutttt, for a better fit, yet simple, straightforward styling and very little sewing up, check out Oat Couture patterns. Once I discovered them, I just about live in them for everyday. Great. proportions!
Yours looks super.
Posted by: Pubah at April 11, 2004 01:38 PMUmm, neither, but could I have the marshmallow, please?
Happy Easter, and I will post you Dawn AND Cherry Life Savers whenever you like! :)
Posted by: Kristine at April 11, 2004 02:02 AMThe sleeves look a lot better.It looks lo0vely.I hope it's dry ! Such a pretty colour.
Posted by: Emma at April 11, 2004 12:25 AMDid the Peace Fleece soften up nicely after you washed it? I've never used it, but I'm thinking about it.
Posted by: Cynthia at April 10, 2004 11:11 PMIt looks beautiful! I love that color. When you washed it, was the water filthy? Or was that just my batch of peace fleece? As far as drying, mine took a good two days to completely dry!
And, mmm. chocolate dipped strawberry OR marshmallow sounds divine.
Posted by: Annie at April 10, 2004 07:30 PM