another knitting blog

oatmeal is the new black

OK, I cannot swim against the tide of popular opinion any longer. Oatmeal, Partridge, Quail, or whatever else you want to call it was a perfectly acceptable color choice for the Tweedy Aran Cardigan. I am now content and even a little bit pleased with its classic, neutral good looks. Linty will no doubt become a workhorse in my cool-weather wardrobe. So, many thanks for all your kind and encouraging comments.

Tweedy (linty oatmeal) Aran Cardigan

Pattern: Tweedy Aran Cardigan by Norah Gaughan from the Winter 01/02 Interweave Knits There are corrections for this pattern. The pattern is now also indivudally available for purchase from Interweave.

Yarn: Classic Elite Skye Tweed in a color Elann said was Partridge but Classic Elite is calling Quail. I guess they would know. In any event, color #1206.

For as constantly and bitterly as I complained about the Skye Tweed while knitting this sweater, I think the finished object turned out exceptionally well. I still won't say that I'm 100% pleased with the texture of the yarn, or that I don't think that I should have gone with a more inspired color choice. It's a testament to the pattern that I finished it and I love it.

Pattern notes:
I may be leaving some things out, but these are the high points.

I knit size 4.

Fancy Rib sucks.

I moved the pattern stitches around very slightly. The pattern would have you knit a twisted stitch directly adjacent to Cable A. I tried this and I didn't like it, so I worked an even number of stitches in Twisted Rib between the side seams and Cable A so that there is was a purl next to the cable. This had the added benefit of putting an equal number of purl stitches on either side of Cable B. I did a similar shift for the sleeves.

A clue to lining up Cable A and Cable B: the twists of Cable A take place on the same rows as the widest and narrowest part of the diamond in Cable B.

For the sleeves, double-check that there are an equal number of twisted stitches on either side of Cable A.

Some back neck shaping would have been nice.

The button bands are knit along with the fronts in fancy rib. To give a nice edge, I knit the last stitch of every row and slipped the first stitch of every row at this edge. When I picked up for the collar, I worked both edges this way.

You can't see it well in my pictures or in the magazine, but there is side-shaping and fancy rib is worked along the side seams.

I feared that I might have to rework the sleeve caps to compensate for wonky row gauge. However, before I did anything drastic, I blocked a finished sleeve knit to the original pattern and did a test fit into the armscye. I was able to ease it in pretty well, so no fancy figuring was required afterall.

As I mentioned previously, I slip-stitched the shoulder seams together. I also attached the sleeves this way rather than sewing them in as I might usually do. It made the seams a bit more bulky, but it also added some extra structure to the shoulders and gives a more jacket-like feel.

That's all I can think of right now.

thinking up witty post titles is a drag

I'm composing a post detailing my experience knitting linty oatmeal. Unfortunately, the post is not done and I'm on the verge of leaving town, so it will have to wait until next week.

Have a pleasant weekend.

linty's buttons

I went though my my button cache, and came up with these possibilities for linty oatmeal's closures.

Although none of these is exactly what I had in mind, one was close enough that I've already applied them. I figure they will do until I can switch them for a better alternative an alternative that better matches my design vision. [snerk]

ETA: Here is the selection in situ

linty in the sunset

I took this picture (and those of the last couple of posts) about a week ago. You'll have to forgive the severe shadows.

Things have progressed considerably since then; it now has a collar and one sleeve. I plan to attach the second sleeve this evening.

I can hardly believe it's actually coming together.

linty oatmeal shoulder seams

Lately, I find I get better results if I bind off and then crochet the shoulder seams together.

f*cking fancy rib

The lower border and collar of linty oatmeal are knit in a stitch dubbed Fancy Rib. I despise it.