Tangled Yoke

Here it is, finally! I had a hard time getting decent pictures, but that’s mostly because I feel like such a beautiful cardigan deserves beautiful photos. In the end I remembered that I wasn’t brooklyntweed, so these will have to do (and that’s my Ravelry shirt I’m wearing under the cardigan!). Since it’s the last day of November, documenting my NaKniSweMo project also seems appropriate.

Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang from Interweave Knits Fall 2007 knit from Rowan Felted Tweed in Dragon {More}

I love this cardigan. Really, that’s all I can say. It is almost the perfect cardigan. I love the fit. I love the colour. I love how cable makes a simple cardigan just a little bit more exciting. Even though the cables were simple to execute, they made me appreciate cables in a way I haven’t before. Although I’ve tried them out (mostly because I want to try everything at least once), I’ve never really been that attracted to them. Now, I’m excited to challenge my knitting skills. Cables! Colourwork! More complicated lace!

The beauty of it really lies in the details. The tangled cable. The garter rib. The tweedy yarn. I wanted to get perfect buttons to go with my perfect cardigan, but I was too indecisive and ended up with some pretty plain buttons that match the yarn perfectly. I also sewed some contrast ribbon on the inside of the buttonband to stablize it. I love the fun splash of colour, even though my hand-stitching is probably not up to par. There’s a little bit of gaping at the buttonband, but I think that’s inevitable with any cardigan knit with zero ease.

I also really enjoyed knitting it. The yarn was lovely to work with and created a really gorgeous fabric. Even the plain stockinette was enjoyable (except purling back those 300 stitches on the yoke). The pattern is extremely clear and well-written. I love the seamless round yoke construction and the how the purled “seam” stiches create just a little bit of structure. I kind of miss knitting it, and I’ve even cast on for a hat with the leftover yarn (two whole skeins!).

I did modify the pattern slightly, for 3/4 length sleeves because I’m always pushing them up and I love this version. I debated adding length, but I decided against it and I think it’s the perfect length. There’s not really anything bad I can say, except that I wish it wasn’t summer so I could wear it everyday.

And to prove I’m really a sweater factory, I’ve got another sweater almost finished. Remember how I was going to do Salina as well in November? Well, all I have left to do is weave in the ends. Hopefully I’ll get some pictures up in the next couple of days.