Over the holidays I decided to get started on a cardi for myself....even though I'm still in the throes of my "love affair" (NOT) with Rob's Never-ending Sweater [of pain]. I had my eye on Mr. Greenjeans from the fall 2007 knitty, and a few balls of Cascade 220 Superwash that were begging for personal growth. Having recently purchased a crazy-comfortable wool-blend zip-up cardi at Marshall's (the best $25 I ever spent on clothing), I knew I wanted something that could be my lazy-days cozy sweater of choice. I figured washable would be a plus, and since Mr. Greenjeans was born of a need to use up some yarn, substituting a gauge-comparable yarn from my stash was the perfect way to go.
I decided to do the size small (shown on the model), thinking that 2.5 positive inches of ease would be preferable for a cozy sweater than any amount of negative ease. I knew I'd have to make changes in length to accommodate my short-waistedness, and I definitely wanted the cabled ribbing placed a bit lower, so it wouldn't start right under my bust-line but rather at my natural waistline. I want the sleeves full-length rather than 3/4, and would re-arrange the length of the ribbing accordingly.
Overall the body was quick and easy, and I didn't even have problems with the button band (my first-ever button band, by the way). Added to edit: Actually, I just tried it on and the button band is too tight, so the front of the sweater pulls up in a weird way. Sigh.
Upon closer inspection, however, I started to get concerned:
See all that closing-in of the cabled rib section? I put off doing the sleeves as I wondered if that was going to block into a normal-looking sweater. I recalled some knit bloggers (the Yarn Harlot is definitely one of them) speaking of a mid-knit block to see if things were working out as planned. I figured, why not? It's worth a try. I am very pleased with how the ribbing changed, and it looks like the button will work the way I was hoping added to edit: Nope, the button looks dumb. I either need three full buttons, or to just allow that with one button, and my curviness, I may end up with gaps above and below. (I wanted to stick with just one button, but I didn't want it to create gaps above and below....I wanted the button band to make a lovely vertical line up my mid-line):
Yes, mid-knit blocking was a very good idea, but now, having just tried it on thinking I'd take a picture and ask for input, I realize that I should have done the size XS. It is much too big around, the back is too long for my short waist and curvy backside, and the ribbing placement didn't work out quite as I had hoped (rather than elongating my waistline, the shorter length of ribbing made me look choppy).
This is why I tend to stick with lace, hats, and - as you'll see tomorrow - mitts. I'll rip and probably re-roll a size XS and see what happens. Plus, here's an idea, maybe I'll just knit it as the pattern states. :-)
Before I go kick Mr. Greenjeans to the curb, here's a great photo of a very sleepy/happy dog...
We went for a long walk in Discovery Park this afternoon, and Sirius is seriously wiped out. He's lying on the floor with the side of his face on the edge of the sofa cushion and his muzzle on Rob's shin. Doesn't seem comfortable to us, but he loves to do this when he's satisfied and sleepy. Good dog!
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