NaKniSweMo 2008

I always admire the complex sweater projects I come across on Ravelry, but when it comes to actually getting dressed, I’ve always been drawn to simplicity. I reach for the basic cardigans and the fine-gauge machine-knits. Of course, a normal person would probably just buy these kinds of sweaters, but I’ve always been a little insane.

So here’s my NaKniSweMo project, a very basic stockinette cardigan knit in pieces, with long sleeves, set-in sleeves and wide ribbing. Here’s my wonky little interpretation of what I hope the final product will look like. Yes, the arms are much too skinny; I’ve never been an artist.

To spice it up a little, I’ve added wide stripes in beautiful shades of teal and green. Of course, I might come to regret that when it comes to setting the sleeves in and matching the stripes! The yarn is a new favourite of mine: Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine in Oceanic Mix and Pea Soup Mix. It knits up in a gorgeous light and drapey fabric, that I think will be perfect for this kind of sweater.

I’m not much of a designer, and calling this cardigan a “design” would be a real stretch. But I’m comfortable with math, so I’m basing the sweater on a storebought brown sweater that fits me perfectly. I’m changing it up a little bit by making it slightly longer and altering the neckline, but it’s been a great to have an actual sweater to measure. I’ve always heard that it’s better to measure a sweater than your own body for things like this, and I did come aross a few surprises when I did the measuring. For example, the cardigan, which I think of as close-fitting, has several inches of ease at the bust. I decided to go with the sweater measurements, and hopefully, it’ll all work out for the best.

This is new territory for me, so I’m hoping to relate the whole process here. For now though, I don’t have anything exciting to share. I’ll come back later, when I have more than plain stockinette to share.