One of my grand plans for 2015 is to post some more of my finished projects and voila! Look at me go, posting one before January is even over. Not nearly as prolific as Lauren, but a girl has to start somewhere!
This is an early 1950's pattern that I finished a short while ago and I really love it. Well...I love about 90% of it. The button band needs redoing. It looks like the cardi is far too small (I prefer them on the snug side because I often wear them with full-skirted 50's dresses) but it isn't. The button band is just far too loose.
I had hoped that blocking would shrink it down to a reasonable tension, but alas, it did not. The yarn is a recycled cotton which was lovely to work with but has next to no stretch to it. No surprise that it didn't bend to my will....
This photo shows the wonky button band in all its glory. It looks like the buttons are straining, but the sweater is actually hanging loose on my dress form. I tried to convince myself that it looked like an intentional scalloped design feature but it doesn't. It will have to be redone which will be quite a pain but my inner perfectionist has deemed it necessary. My inner perfectionist would also like you to know that the sleeves are the same length, contrary to how they look in the photo...
The collar for this cardi is a cute design feature. It incorporates ribbing at the sides and back and seed stitch on the points of the collar (I use the term "points" loosely. It's more of a Peter Pan collar) which flows nicely into the button band.
I used vintage rhinestone buttons that I had in my stash. Incredibly difficult to photograph but a gorgeous match for the variegated yellows in this sweater.
The stitch pattern is a really lovely one that I will definitely be using again. Stitches are dropped and then picked up in a way that forms little bows. This stitch, the "Little Bows Stitch" is also referred to as the "Butterfly Stitch." The pattern for the stitch is here. I think it would be lovely on a chunky knit blanket or a long scarf.
I'll be taking care of the button band as soon as I finish the current project I'm working on, and I'll be sure to post before and after photos of the difference a properly executed button band can make. I'll also scan the vintage pattern and post it at the same time, so you too can have your own wonky button band experience...unless the pattern is right and the wonkiness lies solely with the craftsperson...
Happy knitting!
xox Elle
