Saturday 1 June 2013

The One-Year Cardigan

 According to the yarn receipt that is still in my knitting bag, I started this cardigan exactly ONE YEAR AGO.  It actually sat untouched -- almost finished -- in said knitting bag during the warmer months, as I tend not to knit in the summer.  Actually, the real reason was that I got stuck on the shawl collar as I couldn't work out how to deal with increases in rib.  (Answer: just watch what you're doing in the next row.  It won't look correct at first but it works itself out eventually.)

The pattern, above, from a mid 1960s Australian Patons booklet found on Etsy.  I have always wanted a shawl collared cardigan, but I decided to get rid of the cables in the pattern and added pockets instead.  I was also lucky to find some beautiful Italian Filatura di Crosa wool on special, which proved a fine replacement for the more pedestrian Totem.  
The buttons are the crowning glory: real plaited leather from the wonderful Buttonmania, in a warm grey that matches the cardigan perfectly.  Thank goodness for that shop!
This post goes out to Ramona, and her one-year i-phone cover.  And to anyone else who has a craft project languishing, particularly if they are in Melbourne, where the rainy weather is perfect for crafting.

4 comments:

Saskia said...

Wow Sandra, that is just beautiful! Perfect attire for this rotten weather too. Love the special buttons. I can relate to the 1-year project scenario, or in some cases 2, or even 3, year! Only 2 nights ago I looked into my 'sewing project basket' and found 2 sleeves cut from a men's woolen shirt that I planned to make into elasticised-waist trousers for my then 3-year old. He is now 6. Perhaps they'd be nice as shorts...

Sandra Eterovic said...

Thanks so much Sass -- so glad I am not the only one!
I LOVE the idea of those pants/ shorts -- very clever. You could make great pants from all sorts of shirts....!

Ramona said...

Sandra that is amazing! There is nothing as satisfying as finishing a project, especially one of such a substantial scale. Oh and I have a quilt that was intended for my daughters 16th birthday languishing in the craft cupboard with no binding or backing - she turns 19 next month.

Sandra Eterovic said...

Hi Ramona! I don't think that 3 years is all that long for a quilt to be languishing. I hope I have reminded you to give it some love!!!