FINISHED!

I added the buttons and button loops. I had to go with the same pearl buttons that were on the sample by Elizabeth. They fit the feminine design of the sweater so nicely. You tube had a tutorial on button loops that was easy to follow - another learned skill! I so enjoyed knitting this sweater and am happy with the results. Thank you Elizabeth for a lovely sweater pattern (and all your help with my many questions.)

Almost Done!

It's been raining and thundering here since last night. It feels like forever! My poor Golden Retriever, Eli, shakes nonstop. It's a good day to stay in and knit, but sadly, my Kate's Cardigan is almost complete and I need a new project. I still need to buy buttons and make button loops but I don't want to go out in the rain. This has been really fun. I've enjoyed the challenge and learned a lot. (This is only my third sweater of life and my first knit-along.) When I have it completely done, I'll post a pic modeling it.

Progress Report

I've been working on my red Kate Cardigan (I'm making a teal one, too). The fronts and back are finished and the short-row sleeve cap for the first sleeve is complete. I'm happy with the pace that I'm making with this project. The lace patterning on the front continues down to the bottom provisional cast-on edge. In the picture, it's curled under. That'll fix itself later with blocking and adding the front and bottom borders.

Another photo - and yes, I do have a lot of knitting books, more than what you can see in this picture. I like my knitting library as much as my yarn stash.

How is everyone else doing? I'd love to see your Kates!
...

My Second "Kate"

I was up to the armhole shaping for the back of my first Kate Cardigan in teal Classic Silk when I decided to set it aside, very temporarily, to start a second one. The new one is being knit in Lavold Silky Wool in claret.

The yarn is a DK weight and I'm using smaller needles and with these reductions, I'm going to end up with a cardigan that is smaller than the smallest size given in the pattern. This will be perfect for my Mom who is a tiny lady. Her 90th birthday is in October and I want to give it to her then.

In just one day (yesterday), I managed to knit just past the armhole shaping. With any luck, the back will be finished this weekend.

I'm loving how this is knitting up in the Lavold yarn. How is everyone else doing with their cardigan, or are you all finished and I'm just behind?
.

New to the Group

In the last few weeks I discovered Knitcircus and the designs of Elizabeth Morrison and now I'm a fan of both. I've subscribed to the magazine and I've cast on for the Kate Cardigan. I have the yarn in my stash for the Rosepole Cardigan, so it's in the queue.

I was originally going to knit Kate with Kathmandu Aran Tweed in #157 red, but even after going down 2 needle sizes, I was not getting exact gauge and the fabric of my swatch was rather dense. I changed to Classic Elite's Classic Silk in #6949 Tantalizing Teal and all is going well. It's on sale at one of my local yarn shops and I may have to go and buy another color to add to my stash for later. My gauge is right on the mark. I started yesterday and already I'm at the beginning of the armhole shaping.
...


By way of introduction, my name is Joanne Conklin and I've been knitting since I was a toddler. I work part time at A Knitted Peace as an instructor, and sometime clerk. I love all kinds of knitting, particularly colorwork, e.g. Kaffe Fassett. I've made a number of his designs.

I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone's Kate Cardigan turns out.
...

Corrections and such...

I just wanted to let everyone know that there's an errata pdf now available from our website. You can click through on that link, or find it in the pattern description in the Current Issue section.

There were two significant errors in the sleeve cap area. The pdf addresses these. In short, the number of pairs of short rows ought to refer to individual W&Ts, not pairs, leading you to run out of stitches long before you execute all the turns that seem to be required. Work half as many pairs as it says and you'll be fine.

Again, apologies to all for the inconvenience and confusion.

Getting Started

I finally got underway with my project having missed the start date due to being on holiday in Scotland.

I have all sorts of issues with gauge whenever I knit so had fun swatching with UK yarns trying to hit the target. In the end I decided to go with some New Lanark Mills DK that I bought whilst in Scotland. The yarn is a silk/wool blend in a colour called Blue John.



I've finished the back and started on a front and so far I'm happy with the project especially as it makes good commuter knitting.

Prizes!

Hi, Kate KAL knitters!

Hope your Kates are progressing--I finally mastered the crochet cast-on, remembering Elizabeth's advice that, "The crochet chain can't be too loose," and using a giant hook. I've gotten about three inches of the back complete--ready to start my decreases!

So we've got some prizes for you for signing up and getting started--the first eight people at least will get little packets of tea from White Lotus Teas and yarn/fiber samples from Phat Fiber.
So please shoot me an email, jaalaATknitcircusDOTcom with your postal address and I'll get one out in the mail for you.

In the meantime, Kate on....

Jaala

Preliminary Helpful Stuff!

1. The recommended yarn actually has 220 yards/100 grams, not 110 as listed in the pattern. Suitable substitutions include Plymouth Galway, Cascade 220, Elann.com Peruvian Highland Worsted, and any number of other smooth classic light worsted weight yarns.

2. There was an omitted line in the pattern. At end of Left Front, final line should read, “Bind off remaining 10, 11, 12 12, 12, 13 sts.”

3. Consider spacing all waist shaping every 6th row, instead of every 5th. This will allow you to work all those increases and decreases on the right side of the fabric and might result in better proportions for more people.

Don't forget: to be added as a contributor participant in this KAL, send Jaala a message.

Happy Knitting!

Party!

Well, I've finished my swatch and am getting ready for that provisional cast-on! We've got snickerdoodles in the oven, and a raffle box for people to win free magazines, so I hope people will join us at the Knitting Tree from 2-5 to get all cozy and cast on the Kate cardigan.

Handknits by Susan:

Yesterday I bought some lovely yarn by Alpaca with a Twist called Baby Twist to use for Kate's Cardigan. It comes in giant skeins of 549 yards! It's buttery soft, and from the comments I read on Ravelry, it's really nice to work with. The gauge on the label is 5.5 sts = 1″, but the pattern calls for 5 sts = 1″. I haven't made a gauge swatch yet, but I figure I can tweek here and there if I need to, especially since the majority of the sweater is in Stockinette stitch.



Although I'm afraid I may be allergic to this yarn! My eyes were a tad puffy and scratchy after handling it yesterday. I’ll keep the yarn at home a few days before starting the cardigan to see if I truly am allergic to it. Otherwise I may need to exchange it...

Today's the Day!

Our Knitalong officially starts today! Yay.



Here's my yarn--I'm using Berocco Ultra Alpaca--one of the people at the Knitting Tree said she was planning on using it, and I jumped to copy her--I love that yarn.
Because today also marks the deadline for Knitcircus Issue #6, I've been busy knitting other projects, but I plan to start swatching for Kate this week.
Just can't wait to start on Kate!

Also, I'm planning a surprise prize for a lucky knitalong-er that I'll unveil soon! Throughout the knitalong, I have a feeling prizes will come up....

Knit on,

jaala

Access Granted!

Just wanted to let you know that everyone who's listed on the sidebar as participating in the KAL can now post to the blog! The extremely competent Elizabeth advised me on this, and now I'll just automatically add everyone who signs up as an author. I'm not certain if you'll get an invitation, or if you can just go ahead and do it. Let me know if you try!

Welcome to the Kate's Cardigan Knitalong!
The knitting and discussion group for this flattering design by Elizabeth Morrison from Knitcircus Magazine, Issue #5 is open to everyone who'd like to join.
The KAL starts March 1, 2009 and goes for six months. Watch this blog and our Ravelry group, Knitcircus, for buttons for your blog, a flickr group to share your projects,a special graphic "trophy" for when you finish, and events and prizes along the way!
Designer Elizabeth will help and support you throughout the process. Thanks so much, Elizabeth!.
If you're participating, please email jaalaATknitcircusDOTcom and we'll add your blog link to the sidebar.