Monday, September 19, 2011

Hey, STELLA!

Stella is finally off the needles!

After a long slog of stocking stitch, I managed to finish the collar pieces relatively easily (and get them sewn on satisfactorily!) on Friday night after work, all ready for our groups' knitting meetup on Saturday...then I promptly forgot to take it - d'oh! 

It's a sweet cardigan, with a few gorgeous details.


I love the way the collar stands "up & away" from my neck.  I've always admired this particular neckline from cardigans and jumpers from the 50's & 60's, and of course, the collar is what this pattern is all about.



I was very hesitant about starting the collar, mainly because of it's construction.  You knit it in two pieces, attach them to the neckline, then graft/kitchener them in the centre back.

That just seemed like far too many chances to muck it up to me!

In the end though, it was my first attempt at an i-cord bindoff that gave me the most grief.  Whilst I would say I am "happy" with the end result, I would by no means say it's a good job of this technique!  I struggled with which stitches to pick up along the edging, and with keeping the tension of the i-cord even, so it's a bit lumpy in parts...



Overall though, very pleased with my new cardigan.  Yet to decide if I am attaching a button at the base of the collar, or leaving it open, or wearing it pinned with a brooch...

All this recent finishing of projects left me with an urge to cast on madly though, so on a whim I started another pair of socks, a beret for my niece, and a baby cardigan!

These are the socks...


The wool is Cascade Heritage in a particularly lush shade of red, and the pattern is Conwy from Knitting on the Road - Nancy Bush, and they are knitting up really quickly!


More on the other projects next time...

6 comments:

2paw said...

Your cardigan looks great, I can't see any lumpy i-cord!! Such a cute brooch!! Nice socks, I started some socks yesterday, it must be Spring Sock Fever!!

Leonie said...

You've got a stellar Stella there. Well done you :-)

DrK said...

stella looks fabulous!! so impressed by that collar. and i loved knitting those conwys, such a great pattern. always better in red too.

Gracia said...

Hi Kylie,
Just dropping by to say hello.
xolj

PS It's Louise here, using Gracia's computer.

Rose Red said...

Looks fab! The standy-uppy collar really is a great touch. I vote for no button, because then you can mix things up with brooches, or leave open, as your mood takes you!

And, well, you can't go wrong with red socks!

Bells said...

so much to love here! I love the collar. It looks gorgeous. Icord bind off is kinda fiddly isn't it? But worth it.

Cascade Heritage. I dream about trying this yarn. Yum!