#2 Caitlin's cardigan

Front, worn over a long-sleeved black t shirt

Button band and cables

Back showing colour changes and sleeves

...I created Caitlin's cardigan.  As I've said, it was pure pleasure to knit but the pieces curled and I had two options, to block before or after assembling.  I chose after so I could check the fit and it was fine, but sewing up seams with variegated wool isn't easy, in the end I made the coloured stitches a feature where I couldn't hide them on the side seams.  The little cap sleeves fitted nicely into the armholes and I was able with care to stitch them in invisibly, thank goodness I had experience sewing sleeves otherwise I might have been very confused.  At least woolen fabric gives more than woven.

There are only two cable panels, simple plaits either side of the button band, and the rest was stocking stitch which I like better for this cardigan than reverse stocking stitch, the traditional background for cable panels.  Stocking stitch allows those wonderful colour changes in the aran to show up, and I do love the different colours in the two front panels and back, collar, sleeves and button bands, something that would not have occured if I was knitting in the round.  I really liked the details, the picot row at the bottom that folds up to be a little strong zig zag edge, the way no raw edge is left, all are picked up with button bands and collars, the way the button band pick ups merged under the cable bands and contrasted with them.

So it was tried on earlier in the week and was a little short round the chest but with plenty of give, cable panels are very forgiving.  So I blocked it and at the weekend it fitted perfectly over a long sleeved t-shirt, and we went into Dundee to choose buttons.  Caitlin within seconds found these orange cat buttons which perfectly matched the orange in the wool and I sat and sewed them on while she went swimming with her dad.

Just a perfect project for a child who never stops, the variegated colours are a vivid expression of her personality and the short sleeves mean it wont get mucky when she's playing.

Caitlin's first projects

My final posting is a proud one, my daughter's first two projects, completed just before she turned 8.  The dolphin (Dolly) was machine pieced with very little help, the dolly, Emily, she hand sewed herself, with some remedial work from me when she lost the beads in her bum (ahem!).  Both are kits which are perfect early projects for a child, the dolphin is a Minicraft Sewing Kit and the Emily doll kit comes from Dimensions Needlecrafts, although her dress is slightly different.  Both are sitting on Caitlin's bed, on the quilt made for her by my very patient and talented mother.