At Long Last

May I introduce the Circular Cardigan...

Project: Circular Cardigan
Pattern Source: Out of Town by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK
Yardage: 15 Balls (about 1720 yards)
Started: February 17, 2007
Finished: March 31, 2007
Yarn Source: Knit Happens (I bought this in a yarn binge right before moving to Romania)
Needles: 4 mm (US 6)
Gauge: 5.5 stitches to the inch in stst in the round
Modifications: I didn't modify anything really.  I didn't block as aggressively as I could have, but otherwise exactly as written. 

For those of you who have been listening to me complain about this sweater, know that I love the finished project.  I am generally neither a big fan of knitting in the round, nor of knitting sweaters in one piece, but I saw this sweater at Ally Pally in October and loved it.  When I started knitting, I didn't realize that it would become this all consuming thing (wow, truer words were never spoken!).  The pattern is very straightforward and logical, basically it's a circular shawl with arms.  After a while, however, even the truly luscious yarn wasn't enough to keep me going.  By the end of the body, each round had 544 stitches.  While I was worried about yarn usage early on (i.e. that I wasn't using enough), by the time I had finished all of the increases, I was getting maybe 4 rounds out of every ball of yarn.  The ball estimates are accurate.  Alpaca stretches when worn, so I knit a big swatch and blocked it.  I didn't block the sweater too aggressively, knowing it would stretch in time.

For anyone wanting to attempt this sweater in the future, my one major piece of advice is: You have to really commit to this project if you want to finish it. It gets boring.  I can't tell you how many times I wanted to start something new, but thanks to Sparky's looks of disappointment whenever I went start a new project, I finished the circular cardigan. 

How about a few more pictures?  I think I've earned it! (lucky viewers also get to see bit of Bucharest in the spring.  Seriously, the city's best season).

The back of the sweater at the fruit and vegetable market.

A sitting view in the park.

And a close-up of the collar.

Now that the Circular Cardigan is done, I've moved on to a couple smaller projects.

This is a baby sweater for a colleague and his wife, who have just had their first child.  The pattern is the Slouchy Weekend Sweater from the Sublime Baby Collection and I'm knitting it out of Sublime Extra Fine Merino DK.  As always this picture has been slightly overtaken by events.  I should have a finished baby sweater for you soon!  (it's always amazing to me how fast baby things knit up!)

And lastly I've started a Sharfik Scarf in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. 

Okay, so now I have to get back to "spring cleaning weekend at the 4-ply household."  Wish me luck!

Comments

[Erin]

The circular cardigan is elegant and gorgeous! Also, you wear it beautifully!! I am glad to hear that you now love it. I'm sending you applause and admiration :)

[Elspeth]

You! Look! Fantastic!

[Ann]

Wow! it looks amazing. Totally gorgeous, in the perfect color for you.

ps. I am also drooling over everything at that market.

[Rossana]

Congrats on another beautiful FO! I particularly like the edging on your circular cardi.

And your hair is so cute! Have you had this 'do for a while now?

I'm sorry I missed your KH visit. Between family visiting and a nasty cold/allergies, I didn't go too far from my house.

But I hope you are well and enjoying what looks like a gorgeous spring over there!

[Elle Kasey]

That looks spectacular on you! And not in the "gee who the heck would ever wear a monstrosity like that but I guess she likes it" way.

[Courtney]

The circular cardigan is just amazing. I am know inspired to start mine.

BTW - Love the shades.

[polly]

It's really gorgeous. I did give this cricular sweater a great deal of consideration too, but passed on it because I didn;t have the yarn in stash and I am really trying to make a dent into the stash. It's a lot of knitting but it looks so fabulous on you that I have to put it back on the to do list

[Aimee]

Simply beautiful! I love the pic of you sitting in the park. Simply stunning.

[Linda Williams]

The photo set Matt put online showed lovely you in the lovely circular cardigan wonderfully. Your photographer has an eye for beauty! I continue with my projects and drool over yours. Just gorgeous. A feast for the eyes!

[Sharen]

I really admire your circular cardigan, it looks beautiful. I am hoping to have one made for me, as I have no skills in this area ;)
Does it have any buttons, or is it pinned at the front?