Sunday, August 29, 2010

In threes ... and fours

So it's finally finished - The In Threes cardi. I'm SO GLAD that it fits the girl. And a bit amazed.

It's in Bendigo Alpaca (Inca colour - which is a gorgeously subtle mix of rose, plum, blue and gold). The yarn was thinner and knitted up better on smaller than the recommended needles. I wanted to make it on the large side (to last more than one season on the growing-like-a-weed kid).


Too lazy to do a swatch to check gauge, I GUESSED that it'd need more stitches (so picked a random number...like I was some sort of expert who knew all about gauge!) and threw in a few extra rows of knitting here and there.


I omitted the garter stitch detail on the sides and added an extra-wide band at the bottom. I made four buttonholes instead of three.

Despite Alpaca being a bit more prickly than wool, the model refused to wear anything but a very thin, collarless long-sleeved T-shirt for the photo shoot. I'd say she was a fashionista who puts style before comfort, but the theory falls flat when you look at the dinosaur slippers. Gotta love four-year-olds and all their willful contradictions (heaven knows, there's no fighting them!).


I have no idea where this one gets all her free-forming, rule-breaking ways.....

***

(BTW - The buttons are not so bright in real life, but still, they will be changed when I find something better).

18 comments:

Quinn said...

Nice job! And congratulations on all your modifications. I knit socks, but I've been reluctant to take on a sweater - even following a pattern line by line!
Your model did a great job, too :)

rachelmp said...

Looks fantastic Nikki! I've knit this pattern twice for Maya this winter (adding 3" to the lenght). Nice guess work!

bethany said...

I looks fantastic. The buttons aren't bad either I like how they pop out.

Fer said...

Truly excellent work, especially from someone who says she wasn't much of a knitter. I'm so very impressed!!

Unknown said...

Oh wow - it looks like you have harnessed your inner-knitter after all. I see you are using a Ravelry pattern and yarn from Bendigo too.

Gay McDonell said...

I think you're a natural at this game - and hey, if I had dinosaur slippers I'd wear them in a photo shoot as well!

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

The colour is fabulous, she seems to love it!! Love Posie

A Peppermint Penguin said...

You made it, without a swatch and without following the pattern - there's surprise! But made it you did and if you hadn't told us about all the mods, you'd never know - it looks fab.

Glad your wee girl likes it, that's the best reward for all that knitting.

I've been overdoing the knitting - my left arm is complaining. Grr, was making progress, want to finish. Humph.entili

Andi said...

Beautiful.
Are you some kind of knitting savant?
Andi x

Tas said...

It's lovely. My crochet doesn't tend to turn out when I don't do what I am told lol. Maybe I should try knitting instead.

Anonymous said...

Gawd, your knitting is good! Love the way you adjusted the pattern by instinct. I need to do more of that! Looks terrific - love the yarn.

Annie said...

You indeedy look like a pro, and are talking the talk - great job!

Leonie said...

Beautiful Work there Nikki. She looks like it fits her well and it will suit the Spring weather we are all hoping to get in the next few weeks.

CurlyPops said...

Gorgeous!
Don't dinosaur slippers match with everything?

meli B said...

I really love the way you have been exploring so many different textile types lately and a bit impressed at how quickly you have learned to bend the rules!

Carol@KeepingUpWith said...

I love the pattern and think I too will give it a try. Just what winters in Florida call for - not too much. You did a great job!

Anonymous said...

Love the cardi, love it, love it.

Michelle Walker said...

That a lovely knit. ...i only crochet but that almost makes em consider re-learning.