It doesn't look much here as it's bunched up on the needles but it's the Shapely Boyfriend, a free pattern on Ravelry by Stefanie Japel. It's knit from the top down all in one piece, so no sewing up at the end, a big bonus for me. The recommended needle size is 5mm but I wasn't getting gauge with this, even when I went up to a 5.5mm needle it was still knitting up small, but I didn't like the fabric created with a 6mm needle so I decided to stick with a 5.5mm needle and knit a larger size. I like my cardigans to be a bit on the big size so that I can layer up so I was knitting a size large but I've now decided to go with the extra large size and just hope that it fits, time will tell. I've just got a couple of rows left to do before I split for the sleeves.
The yarn is Drops Nepal, an aran weight yarn so it's knitting up quickly, and I chose the Camel Mix colourway, I thought it would go with lots of things.
Yesterday, I picked up a ball of West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 ply to knit a pair of socks for my dad for Christmas, so the cardigan will be put to one side for a while whilst I work on these. I really wanted the Owl colourway which is a mix of shades of brown as my dad tends to wear lots of brown but the shop didn't have that so I ended up going with the Blue Tit colourway which is a mix of blues and yellow, I just hope he likes it.
My dad is the most appreciative of everyone I knit socks for, he always had hand knit socks as a child and I think he prefers them to other socks, especially in winter as they keep his feet nice and toasty warm. This is the only hand made gift I'm making for Christmas this year.
That cardigan looks lovely so far. It'll be warm and cosy too. I prefer top down to avoid seaming. I make up my own patterns as I'm only child sized and it's much easier. Look forward to seeing it when it's finished. Best, Jane :)
ReplyDeleteIt's only since I returned to knitting in my forties that I discovered garments which were knitted in one piece. I used to knit jumpers and cardigans when I was much younger and they were always knit in pieces so required seaming, which I hated.
DeleteI do love hand knit socks in winter - can't beat them.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I'll never go back to shop bought socks now I've discovered hand knitted.
DeleteIs this a pattern for an advanced knitter or is it something a relative beginner could tackle? I like the idea of no sewing to complete it!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely not a hard pattern, it's knit in stocking stitch, so you need to be able to knit and purl, increase and decrease and pick up stitches. There's always You Tube to help if you get stuck with anything though, you can find all sorts of help for any problem on there.
DeleteI'm having my first crack at a "top down knitted on a circular needle" sweater. It's n hold until Christmas but I'm quite enjoying knitting it.
ReplyDeleteI love knitting things which don't require sewing up at the end, I think this is one of the reasons I enjoy knitting socks so much, once the knitting's finished there's minimal sewing in of ends and then it's completely finished.
DeleteI have never knitted top down sounds perfect for me as I hate sewing up. I love chunky cardi's, I have one which is years old, so I can only wear it in the house, but it's so warm.
ReplyDeleteI always look for garments with minimal finishing off as I hate sewing up. Cardigans are so handy to put on when feeling a bit cold, and just as easy to take off again when you've warmed up.
DeleteThat's a great start to the cardigan! I love all-in-one knits. I have had a cardiagn on the needles for a few months now which is more or less done, but it's in pieces and needs to be blocked and stitched together - this is what I call procrastination ;)
ReplyDeleteI always found that I wasn't in a rush to come to the end of a garment when it needed stitching together, I'm so pleased that I've found patterns that allow you to knit them in one piece. I think this cardigan will be good to have on the needles to work on over Christmas.
DeleteI like the colour of the cardigan you've just started ...
ReplyDeleteI think we may be in for a cold snap, so jumpers and cardigans, especially gloves and scarves could be needed.
Enjoy the remainder of your weekend.
All the best Jan
I thought the camel mix colourway would go with plenty of things. I think we're definitely going to need some warmer clothing very soon, the cardigan may not be ready in time to wear but it'll still keep me warm whilst I'm knitting it.
DeleteGreat colour for the colder months, it does look a nice wool. I've been and looked at the pattern, it's great and you've made a great start. WYS blue tit knits up lovely, dad will love those. I've been asked to knit thicker 6ply pair of socks for a 15 year olds Christmas pressie today who thinks handknit socks are so fashionable ... Who would have thought teenagers were getting into wearing them too? I'm happy to oblige.,easier than finding a gift for her lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm really impressed with the Drops yarn which I've used before, it's a great price so it doesn't break the bank and knits up really well. I know Eleanor's friends are always complimentary about anything I knit for her, I'm sure the teen you're knitting for will love her hand knit socks.
DeleteThe cardigan looks like it's going to be lovely and cosy and I adore the shade. You'll get plenty of use out of it, as people keep telling me we are in for a harsh Winter. X
ReplyDeleteI've heard we're in for a harsh winter too, I'd better get my needles clacking. The yarn is lovely, I think it's going to be a very cosy cardigan.
DeleteCold setting in, really gets those knitting needles clacking!!!!! :-))))))
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely that you make your dad hand knit socks. Just as nice for you too, as for him..... Since he appreciates them so much. :-))))
I knit the whole year round but it does inspire me more in the colder months. My dad loves his hand knit socks so it's a pleasure to make them for him.
DeleteLooking forward to seeing it finished. No sewing sounds like a bonus!xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's been put to one side for now so it won't be a quick finish. Once it's done, it's done though with no sewing up.
DeleteI have never knitted top down, in fact only really ever knit baby items. One of these days I will go onto a bigger project. I love your chosen sock yarn, a lovely gift.
ReplyDeleteI choose baby items with no sewing up too these days, the finishing off can put be off knitting a garment. I love West Yorkshire Spinners yarn, they do some great colourways.
DeleteAbsolute bonus not having to sew up afterwards, not my favourite part of the process. Will have to have a look for baby patterns as you suggest. Like the colourways of the sock yarn, you will be busy xcx
ReplyDeleteThere were other cardigan patterns I came across whilst looking for one but they were disregarded because they were knit in pieces, I always look for garments which are knit in one piece now.
DeleteLove the color of the yarn for your sweater. Good luck on your Dad's socks.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely colour which will go with lots of things. I'm steaming ahead with the socks, I've made a good start on them.
DeleteHow lovely that you can remind your Dad of his childhood in this way :)
ReplyDeleteHope the cardigan turns out as you hope it will.
x
My dad loves his hand knit socks, I'm really pleased that I'm able to knit them for him. I need to knit a bit more of the cardigan before I'll be able to tell what kind of fit it'll be, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it works out. I don't mind it a bit big but I don't want it to swamp me.
DeleteWhat a perfect name for that yarn, I bet your dad will love them. Such a deep blue.
ReplyDeleteI like the colour of your cardigan too, like you say it's going to go along with so many other shades and colours it will be keeping you warm on many a wintery day I'm sure!
Lisa x
I've made a good start on the socks, the yarn is knitting up really nicely. The cardigan has been put to one side whilst I work on the socks but I'm looking forward to getting back to it.
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