The day was warm enough to walk with only a swear and scarf. A good day to finally get a picture of the Garter Yoke Cardigan. Well, there were a few snow flurries that passed through.
I'd change a few things if I were to knit this again.
- First, I'd eliminate the waist shaping. Especially with the extra length I had added. The sweater would be more flattering if it were not quite so fitted, or… if I'd lose that 10 pounds I've added this winter. After the picture was taken I walked a mile and a half.
- I would also make the button bands wider. The buttons I used were big. I used only five.
- I'd make the yoke longer. I like the yoke detailing and with my build, there is too much distance between the yoke and ermmm… my shelf.
Alterations that I made:
- I shaped the sleeves. From the elbow down I decreased two stitches along the inside "seam" every six rows.
- That waist shaping.. it would have been even more pronounced but I only did two decreases and spaced them further apart.
- The neck.. it is higher than as written by about seven rounds. I also stepped down several needle sizes on the extra rows. One thing about the neckline of this sweater, it is not easy to find an appropriate shirt. A turtleneck would be perfect, but I rarely wear them. Best choice underneath, nothing. Seriously. The drape is better as well as the neck line. Not today, it was too cold to walk afterward without a coat or a shirt underneath. I wanted to walk and wore a long sleeved tee.
The specs:
- Pattern: Garter Yoke Cardigan, by Melissa LaBarre, in Knit1 magazine, Fall/Winter 2008.
- Needles: #5 for the top yoke and cuffs, #8 for all the rest
- Yarn: All Wool ( a yarn I trying out for Ball and Skein ), worsted wt., hand-dyed for this sweater. I'm unsure of the yardage, somewhere in the 1250 area is my best guess.
- Buttons: I have no idea were I found them except to tell you I had them stashed away in my button box. They are tagua nut, carved and dyed. I absolutely love them.
Comments
18 responses to “Garter Yoke Cardigan”
I dunno, I think the fit is lovely, but if you don’t feel comfortable in it, that’s the main thing. Interesting – Norma just finished/modeled hers and said the same thing about the under-shirt. I hate layering, so I’d have to make it of something I would wear against my skin anyway…
The yoke-to-shelf ratio is something I never thought of, but it makes sense. I’ll have to pay attention to that in future tops.
Oh my goodness – you and Norma finished those at basically the same time! Such a gorgeous design and fit for both of you!
It looks gorgeous on you – the dye job is perfect for the pattern. I am trying to find a copy of that Knit.1 but it seems to be sold out everywhere. Might have to just download the pattern…
That’s a beautiful sweater. The buttons are a really nice touch.
Those buttons are amazing! I love your mods to the cardi and ideas for further mods. It’s turned out just beautifully.
I love the color and I think it looks very nice.
A very nice looking sweater and the color is exceptional on you. Wear it well!
Gorgeous color – it looks really beautiful on you. And I love the buttons too. I need a mini/paler version of just those exact ones for my Elizabeth cardi.
Beautiful!
… Your dye work really shines…
…and perfect buttons!
Love the buttons, Judy. I agree, you could definitely use some more garter yoke than the pattern called for, but you still look like a million bucks as is. And once the weather is nicer, now that your foot is (I hope) feeling a lot stronger, you’ll walk more, and it will be like, 10 lbs? What 10 lbs? I wish I only had 10 lbs more to go, instead of 6 x 10 lbs. But I, too, expect it will be easier to shed when I can walk more. Going to Maine in April, and hoping I and my new hiking poles can log some real miles!
It came out great! I like the extra length. The last sweater I made was too short and I don’t wear it very much because of it.
I think you made a good decision to add rows to the neckline – it looks like this pattern hits at about the same place as the February Lady Sweater, which makes it awkward as to what shirt to wear underneath, and (as in Norma’s case) what jewelry to wear with it.
The yarn is gorgeous – are you adding it to your line???
I love it! It’s on my ‘to knit someday’ list – once I find a copy of the magazine, that is.
The color is gorgeous! The pressure to knit this myself is overwhelming…I have not seen a bad one yet. I think I’ll be jumping on this bandwagon soon 🙂 Love your mods.
Stunning combination of yarn, pattern and buttons. I’m going to benefit from your experience and change the neckline as well, when I finally get around to knitting this pattern. Congratulations!
I agree with Carrie about the fit. I love the neck on your version of this sweater. That neck has been a worry to me because I would want to wear something under it.
Well done!
“The day was warm enough to walk with only a swear and scarf.”
That sounds like Vermont… 8)
Love the color, and the buttons are fabulous! Beautiful sweater – neckline, yoke/shelf ratio, and all!
I really like it! You’ve given me some food for thought about the whole shelf deal.