Dress Me In Angora

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The Angora Cables Cardigan is done. It is lovely. The angora/wool blend give the yarn a lovely halo, yet the cable/lace border has good definition. It has a lovely drape. It was delightful to knit... to the point that I didn't want it to end.

The problem? The sleeves are too tight. I knew this was going to be an issue from the beginning, but had hoped I could block them open a bit. All sizes start with the same stitches for the cable lace pattern then increases up from there. They are snug from the beginning. I'm guessing the designer had skinny arms and didn't consider that these would be too narrow. I should've increased more stitches sooner (I actually like most of my increases done before I hit the elbow, but with the cable lace pattern on the cuff, that wouldn't have worked well). It fits me fine everywhere else, so hopefully, 10 more lbs they'll be fine.

Project stats:
Pattern: Classic Elite pattern "LaGran Eyelet and Cable Cardigan" from the booklet Winter.

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Angora

Changes to the pattern: There was additional eyelet that were to be added in the body that I didn't do and I didn't do the eyelets on the decreases. They didn't really add to the design and quite frankly just looked like holes rather than a delibrate design feature. Obviously substituted yarn.

Problems with the pattern: I think the sleeves are designed to be a little too small. This might be more of a personal body issue, and less a pattern issue.

Overall Impressions: The pattern is lovely, was fun to knit and I loooove the yarn. This is one of those occassions that I think my yarn choice was an improvemet over the orginal. The cables/lace pattern is much more visable in my version. So overall, I give it a thumbs up. I do think I'll try to stretch the sleeves just a smidgeon more to see if I can get it to fit (or find a thinner turtleneck? hmmmm)

Okay, so now what? Well, tis the season? I have a handful of gift projects that I need to work on and get done. It's hard, as I really want to cast on something (or three) new.

I do have some sewing I want to work on today, as I have some gift sewing to do too!

Happy Knitting (or in my case, sewing!)