Oh Nelly, the end of January is here and I’m just now posting a finished piece! Well, happy 2015, everyone! Hope you had a nice holiday season. :)

Okay, confession. This Miette cardigan was completed in late November and I first wore it on Thanksgiving day. Oops! Time flies when you’re busy wearing your new favorite cardigan, t’would seem. My blog documentation efforts have suffered lately, as I’ve since finished another cardigan and am almost done with a sweater. (More on my sewing progress at the end of this post.)

In short, I love this cardigan! It’s a great shape, I obviously love the cropped length, and it knits together quickly. Also, it’s a free pattern. Free! That means between the yarn and the buttons this baby cost me about $20. Good times. Leaves me more money to spend on pizza.

This one is another Andi Satterlund design. I knit the size small (it also comes in medium and large), and even though the bust measurement is 1″ larger than my own I went with it. I’m happy with the fit.

The yarn is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes and the color is called Currant. I bought it at the same time as the yarn for my Marion cardigan. What drew me to it, you ask? The name reminded me instantly of Anne of Green Gables and Marilla Cuthbert’s prize-winning red currant wine! I suppose one day I’ll need to find a raspberry color for a raspberry cordial version (isn’t that so, Diana Barry?).

A crease formed in each sleeve when I blocked the cardigan. I’ll have to work on avoiding that next time around…

I’ve worn this cardigan countless times already, and it’s already pilling. I mentioned previously that this yarn was a bit itchy, and either I made that up or I’ve gotten used to it because it doesn’t bother me at all. It’s very comfy and I love how warm it keeps me during these chilly months. Can’t beat the price, either.

Having said that I’m not sure how often I’ll buy yarn online. We have lots of yarn stores here in the city, and I like to support small businesses when I can. They’re the heart and soul of New York, folks! Plus, I love being able to feel the yarn and see the colors right before my eyes.

Sorry for the light and shadow in these photos. I’m just grateful for some natural light courtesy of my office! Also, I’m holding up the blind in this photo because when we tried to raise it we discovered it was broken. I mean, sheesh.

The lightweight metal buttons are from Mood and are the exact same ones I used for Marion (with the exception that these are a size smaller, as the pattern recommends). Don’t mess with a good thing, I guess. :)

I used Jeny’s suprisingly stretchy bind off for everything. I’m not sure if that’s right, but I love the stretch it gives so that’s going to be my go-to technique for the time being (assume I’m using it until I note otherwise!). Do you have a favorite bind off technique?

The only alteration I made to the pattern was to extend the 3/4 sleeves to full length. I think I’ve mentioned before that I prefer long sleeves when it comes to sweaters. It’s not such a big deal when I’m in the office (this thing sure keeps me toasty!), but I do appreciate the extra warmth when I’m outside walking around this big ol’ city. You may notice that the sleeves kind of bell out. I didn’t decrease stitches as I had done with the Marion cardigan. I can’t remember why I didn’t, but I think it still works and even looks like a design element.

In the future I’ll probably work in the decreases. I’m definitely getting more confident with my knitting after each new project, so I think it won’t seem as daunting!

Feeling skippy, skipper! No, seriously, I’ve added this one because I think it shows that “bell shape” I unintentionally created with the sleeves. Looks cool, I think.

This is my third cardigan I’ve ever knit, and I would highly recommend it to anyone attempting a cardigan for the first time. Why so? The stockinette stitches go by quickly, the eyelets are a fun yet not-too-tricky detail, and you don’t have to worry about picking up stitches in the armholes. I think that’s pretty key right there! Picking up stitches isn’t an impossible task for a newbie, but I like the fact you just have to do it at the button band and neckline (well, and a couple of stitches at the armholes).

Here’s how it works: the raglan sleeves are created by knitting through the front and back loops, and then you eventually put those armhole stitches on hold. This means when you come back to them the stitches are already there for you, all you need to do is slip the needles back into place. So if you’re looking for a first knitting project that’s a little more adventurous than a scarf, but not quite as challenging as other designs out there, then here’s a design you may want to consider! And if you decide knitting isn’t your thing, hey at least the pattern didn’t cost you anything. Re-gift the yarn to someone who will love it. Me? :)

On the Sewing Front…
Progress is being made on a tailored wool coat: Burda 8292. Yes, it’s a bit late in the season for that, but what can you do? It worked for me last time, so I’m going with it again. I’ll be back with a progress post on that one soon!

And I’ll leave you with a cool shot of kids sledding in the city yesterday during “The Blizzard That Wasn’t” (nothing like the epic Blizzard of 1888, that’s for sure – yes, I’m a dork). Photo courtesy of my co-worker. I love the colors!