Thursday, September 29, 2011

The Little Red Cardigan


Thank you everyone for your enthusiastic comments on my last post.  I've been absent from blogging for a number of days.  I seem to have been kept busy here lately.  I can now share with you the little red cardigan. I am finally finished.  I have no idea why it's taken me so long to knit a baby's cardigan!!  This was knitted with the Heirloom Baby Wool in 4 ply that I purchased from Pick Up Stitches in Kyneton.  It knitted up beautifully, and I'm totally thrilled with the result.

I hope this close-up will show you the little reverse stocking stitch relief pattern.  I rather like the back of it, but thought I'd go with the 'designer' and do as directed.  I do however much prefer to work my ribs as a twisted rib, ie knit and purl into the back of the stitches.  I find I like the finished result.

This design was taken from a very old knitting book I've carted around with me for years.  It has even had a run-in with some hungry mice [notice the corner that has been chewed!!].  I think I was given these books by an aunt years ago.




I've made this to fit 6-9 months, as it's to be a gift for an expected infant - early next year.  The booklet says 3ply, but I have a feeling that today's 4ply is yesterday's 3ply if you get my drift, as my knitting tension was as given in the book.  I encountered a couple of new things with this little pattern.  I had never knitted a band along with the fronts for a V-necked cardigan, but loved the way this was done.  The instructions also suggested to use turning rows every 1½ inches to avoid the sagging that occurs with knitted on borders.  I honestly had never heard of this.  It worked well I must say.  It's actually nice to see a proper set-in sleeve application, rather than that dropped shoulder line effect so common to newer designs.  

I think I'll make a little pair of denim pants to wear with this [I have some quite soft, thinner denim], and have found this really old flannel in my stash which I thought would make a super soft lining for said denim pants.  Now I just need to find that Burda Baby book with the really cool baby duds pattern in it!!

Thank you again to everyone who cares to leave such lovely comments.  I do appreciate the time it takes to do so.  I also appreciate the emails I've received in the last few days asking after me.  I know I have been absent from my blog for a while, so thank you ladies for caring to ask after me.  All is well, I am just busy with animals and outside lately.  I have lots more of this lovely wool, so hope to get another little piece underway soon.   

15 comments:

shirley said...

Linda by the sound of the instructions for this darling red cardigan, it is a good pattern which gives a great result....there is nothing like the old ways is there, and you have learned something new as well.

DIAN said...

Linda, this is a gorgeous little cardigan for those cooler days. The denim pants sound perfect too. I have to make some little overalls for the twins before they return from overseas.

Thanks also for your comments on my blog. I do appreciate them.

Mrs Dibble said...

Isn't it good to see that baby wool is no longer just white blue and pink and that rather blah "mint"

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Linda,

WOW, Love the baby sweater design and color too. YOU did such an incredible job of knitting it. I am sure it will be a much loved gift. Isn't it wonderful to have vintage pattern to use. I could never knit anything. Much to difficult of an art for me. LOL Hugs Judy

Frances Leate said...

What a delightful little cardigan. Back in the 60s I knitted heaps of small items from Paragon patterns for my nieces and nephews and had an arrangement with my Mum - I would knit the pieces and she would sew them together and do the finishing off - and this worked well. I haven't knitted for ages though it was cool enough this winter but I was busy doing other stitching. Take care.

N. Maria said...

It really is a beautiful pattern! You do wonderful knitting.
I love to use older patterns. Lined denim pants sound divine!

Anonymous said...

Love the red cardi and I must say I also have lots of beautiful old knitting booklets too. They always knit up perfectly.

WandarArt.Stitch said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stitching Lady said...

Lovely to see a colourful baby cardigan, ready!!! How wonderful.

Dianne said...

Gorgeous, love the colour - my fave. It will team up lovely with denim. Being a very ordinary knitter, I admire the work you have done on this. Di.

Radka said...

Lovely little cardigan, Linda :) I love red on small children! I am with you on the twisted rib, I think it gives much better resut.
Denim is a great choice with the red :)

Robin Mac said...

How wonderful to be able to buy such a vivid colour in baby wool! I love the old patterns, but I have given all mine away as I only knit socks these days. I love the twisted rib also. Cheers.

fabriquefantastique said...

I love knitting from vintage patterns (well I would, wouldn't I) Here it is difficult to get fine baby wool in colours, only wimpy pastels, so I will pick some up when I am in NZ next year. Of course, I still have not used the last lot I bought there.

Karyn said...

Linda, the cardigan has turned out so well. The red will loo lovely with denim pants. it is always a great combination i think. I must have a go at the twisted rib; I haven't done that before.

Anney said...

hi Linda,i've just had a look at the red cardy..it's fab and the stitch so different...a bit like a variation on 'fishermans' rib'..i'm just knitting a 'fair isle' type for a 2yr old..will try to photograph it when complete and send you e-mail...xx