Fitted Cardigan

Last Saturday I started knitting the Short-Sleeved Cardigan with Ribbing from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel. I asked for the book based on my love of this cardigan. It’s an incredibly quick knit, but I ran into some issues with the pattern and my gauge. First, my gauge was a little larger stitch-wise (row-wise it was spot on), so I decided to knit the 34” size. I was looking for something fitted, but not so tight that I couldn’t wear a shirt underneath it. I knit the yoke as specified in the pattern, but when I tried it on, it was way too short. (That’s definitely the pattern’s fault because my row gauge was fine. Personally, I think the raglan shaping should have started with more stitches for the sleeves and less for the fronts and back.) I ended up having to knit 4 additional increase rows (and each increase row’s corresponding plain rows) to get the required length. In retrospect, I probably should have knit those extra rows without increasing. Hindsight is 20/20. Anyway, all of that increasing resulted in sleeves that fit nicely, but the bust turned out elephant-sized. (Interestingly enough, the back fit fine - it was the fronts that were too big) I started to panic. I didn’t want to rip out the whole thing, and even if I did, I’d still end up with the same problem. According to the pattern, some decreasing was to take place on the back part of the cardigan, so I figured I could salvage it by decreasing 5 times instead of 3. (5 decreases = 10 stitches = 3ish inches) Content with this plan of action, I knitted along and decreased 5 times on the back. I tried the cardigan on again, and it was still too big. Ugh! It was then that I realized the culprit might be my choice of yarn. I am using Peaches and Creme Double Worsted Cotton in Persimmon. I wanted to use a yarn that wouldn’t cause me to break out in hives – hence the cotton. Apparently this particular brand is quite stretchy. I’d like to think that a hot wash will tighten the garment back up, but it could also cause it to become short and fat - not a good look.

After much thought, I decided that before I do the button bands, I’m going to fold back both fronts and tack the excess to the inside of the cardigan. Hopefully doing so will produce a fitted knit. I’m a bit worried that my tacking will be noticeable. I am a horrible at sewing, and the fabric is so thick that it might produce a visible “line” along the button bands. Maybe I can call it a design element? Whatever the case, adjustments will be necessary. I doubt I’ll wear it without them.

Works in Progress Update:

Gentleman’s Shooting Stockings with Fluted Pattern – Turned heel of first sock, working on the gussets.

Double Pineapple Doily – Completed the bottoms of the first round of pineapples.