Ease is not my friend.

Hello everyone! I'm new to this KAL, and itching to cast on! Got my yarn and everything. The only problem is.. I don't know which size to make! I don't knit garments very often, so ease always causes me a lot of heartache.

So how much ease are you incorporating into your cardigans? I'm a 36" bust, so I can do the 35.5" with negative .5" ease, or the 39.5" with positive 3.5" ease. At first I was leaning towards the larger size, because the schematic looks like the finished size incorporates the gap in the front, but then I did the math and it looks like the finished size is only the amount of fabric. So now I'm leaning towards the smaller size! But I figured I'd ask around for some reassurance before I actually cast on and make a commitment. (For the record, I have gauge.)

New Member

Hello KAL-ers!

I started knitting the mini cardi last weekend. I'm about 9" into the back. I'm using Andean Silk in Barn Red from Knitpicks. I can't wait to finish it, though I probably won't be able to wear it until November! (I'm in GA, and we just ended a month-long stretch of 100+ degree days.)

So far I like the pattern. A bit redundant, but I do like the texture of the moss stitch.

Here is a picture of my progress:

Rollin', rollin', rollin'...

I've had the theme from Rawhide in my head all day. What is wrong with me?


Yes, I've started knitting the fronts of the cardigan. And that edge? Rollin'. The side edge isn't that bad, which surprises me (in a good way), but the bottom edge is really flipping-up (and not in a good way). Part of this may be because I can't leave well enough alone and started my knitting with a WS row, instead of a RS row as instructed in the pattern (I think it makes the cast-on edge look nicer). I don't know if this will block itself out once I've finished the sweater, or if I'll be figuring out some way to stop the rolling at the bottom of the fronts (the rolling at the sides doesn't bother me like I thought it would). I already have a few ideas in mind, so I'm not too worried if it comes to that.

Despite the rolling, it's really nice to have some stockinette to knit now...all moss stitch, all the time is a little tedious!

Me Too

Hello fellow Minimalist Cardigan Knitters-

I'm jumping on the bandwagon. I finally received my fall IK just last week and was immediately taken with this pattern. I had some yarn on hand for an abandoned project and it seemed like fate. I've knit about 5" of the back so far.


I'm using Morehouse Farm Merino 2-ply in "Olive." This yarn is considered sport weight and since it is a lighter weight than the pattern suggests, I'm following the pattern as written for the 43 1/2" and hoping to get around 38". (Sort of what Bronwyn did, only in reverse.)

I'm looking forward to watching all of your sweaters grow!

New to Group

Hello,

I recently joined this KAL and can't wait to start, but I will have to. I am currently working on the Sweetheart Vest that is in the same Interweave Knit's issue. It will be a birthday present for my MIL.

I will be doing the Mini Cardi in Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride Worsted in Spice.

I look forward to seeing everyones FOs.

Kristy

Getting closer

I'm still working away on the Mini Cardi. Here's my progress as of yesterday afternoon, I've actually finished this sleeve and started on the other one. This will be my first time assembling a sweater and I'm getting nervous!




Happy Knitting!
Bobbi

Swatch Completed

I am trying to knit from my stash these days. I discovered enough Hayfield Silky Cotton in a beautiful light blue. It should be a great lightweight sweater for next spring/summer. Checked and doubled gauge . . . I'm good to go!

I love it, rolled edges and all.

minicardiwithtop2
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

There are more photos on my Flickr page if you click on the one you see here. The specs on this little beauty:

Started: August 6, 2007

Finished: August 17, 2007 (though I initially was going to install a zipper, but settled on this clasp today to maintain the soft lines of it.)
Pattern: This should be obvious. ;)
Yarn: Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran in Venetian, a dark plummy brown. My gauge was off, so I made the smallest size to accomodate the yarn. It worked perfectly, in my opinion.

Notes: The rolled edges are actually nice. All while knitting it, I was suspicious... would I end up with knit tubing framing the girls? It does roll a little at the edges, but that just makes it softer (in both looks and feel) and the more pronounced rolling at the bottom is perfect for letting a bit of lace ruffle peek out from this otherwise staid cardigan. When I wear this, I feel very scholarly. *grin*

I hope y'all out there have a similarly wonderful experience with your Minis. This sweater is very versatile, and I think you'll find yourself wearing it all the time...!

No, there isn't a fire...

But you might see the smoke coming up from me while I'm trying to think about this rolling stst band. What if you casted on for the 18 (the number in the band) and knitted, say, 5 rows and then casted on the rest of the band and knit as normal except when you get the the 5th row (or 10th on the band) you knit the cast on edge up...hem it. Of course, throw a purl row in there so that it creases in the right place. Bad description.

I'm not as concerned about the vertical edge of the band rolling because I think that would almost give it a finished look, but I don't want the bottom to roll out.

Anonymous commented on the last entry that they were thinking of double knitting. I would like to know more about that.

Is it cheating to move onto the sleeves until a concensus has been reached on this? How is it going, Bronwyn?

Another new member...

I just joined the KAL, and look forward to getting started -- once I finish my current project and get my yarn. I ordered some Elsebeth Lavold Classic AL in a burgundy shade (Webs has it on clearance). It has a similar content and gauge as the yarn called for in the pattern, so hopefully, it will work well. I've never used it before, but my mom has some in her stash and it feels divine in the skein.

I'm very curious to see how people handle the collar -- I had a pretty strong negative reaction when I got my issue of IK and saw that the edges are stockinette...I really want to see how other people fare (I worry that those edges will roll something fierce!).

OK, I have something to show, now.

Took time out of knitting (and cleaning) to snap a photo of my Mini Cardi so far. About an 1.5" to go before I decrease for the armholes.



Love the pattern! What a fun, quick knit! I just pray I don't get front-itis.

Invitations

Hi! If you've sent a request for and invitation and haven't heard from me please resend it. Just as I was clicking "delete all spam messages" this morning I saw a request for an invite, but it was too late and it was gone.

Sorry for the hasty deleting!
Happy Knitting!

Just Found This KAL Today

So, I figured I'd join, since I started this sweater today too. I don't have any pictures to share as yet, since I'm only on row two! I do most of my knitting on the train to and from work so that's all I got done today since on row three I zoned out and messed up my ribbing of all things! I have a project I'm almost done with, so I needed another train project, and chose this one. Anyway, I am making mine from some yarn from Elann, the Peruvian Pure Alpaca in the color Sangria. It's very soft, a little hairy, but I think it will work for this sweater, it's a really pretty heathered read.

Well, that's it for my first post here. Thanks for having me.

Beth

Happy to find you guys!

I had just finished the ribbing on the back when I decided to do a little search on Ravelry (bonitapita) to see who was doing the Mini Cardi. Followed the links and found you!

I am using Cascade Sierra, which is a 80/20 cotton/wool blend, in colorway 60, a chocolate brown. I really like working with this yarn (made a few baby items with it) and had enough in my stash to give this a try.

I just love the look of moss stitch and I, too, am a continental knitter and find it to be fun and interesting to knit. I'll post a picture as soon as I have enough to be interesting (and good daylight).

happy knitting

New Knitter

Hi
Just joined your KAL. Looking forward to knitting the cardigan with all of you. I'll have to go sniff my yarn and pick out which one to use.
I have been knitting socks, baby booties, and baby blanket so far ...haven't attempted a sweater yet. I may need some help and advice from some of you. My blog,

Minimalist Cardigan body

Minimalist Cardigan body
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

I finished the body this afternoon and am now onto the sleeves. I don't think you can tell from the photos, but it has a kind of kimono collar - the straps that you see at the top are grafted together, then the edge is sewn against the back neck so that it will stand up. I don't know how I feel about the edging, personally. I know the pattern description says it is supposed to roll, and it's a "design feature" (we all know what that means. *wink*) but I find it very annoying. I am considering sewing a fabric facing and blocking the heck out of it to make it more... kimono like, and less like I am wearing rubber tubing over my lady bits.

Also, the sleeves increase a lot right about the ribbing, and while I like it on the model, it looks very blouse-y. I'll keep it, but I just thought you should know before you get there that there is no gentle increasing outward, just one free-for-all 16 stitches increased in one row. So, you may want to increase slowly along the seam line if that's more your style.

(Oh, and the sleeves aren't going to be elbow length on anyone who isn't 6' tall. As written, it's a 3/4 length sleeve on me.)

I hope to get this puppy done and put together pretty quickly, but sleeves are not my thing so I may end up lagging behind in the end~!

Mini Cardi from the stash!

minimalistcardigan
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

minimalistcardigan
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter
I'm really enjoying knitting my Mini Cardi, in Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran. my gauge was a little large, but I did the math and am knitting the smallest size, to have it even itself out at 37-38". (which is the perfect size!)

I'm knitting mine all in one piece up to the armpit, which I am at now, so it's time to divide for the fronts and back. I expect this will be a quick knit due to the bulkier gauge. I generally knit sweaters in dk weight... these size 7s feel huge!

I have a good reason to hurry, I have the Malabrigo coming to knit the Placed Cables sweater from the same issue. I want to have a slew of new sweaters for fall! (I thought it was nice how you have a line of matching stitches where the fronts meet the back, so it looks like there's a seam, when there really isn't! Too cool!)

Rarin' to Go -- Without Yarn

I'm excited about this sweater. I love the lines, the way it fits... you name it, I think it's good (well, except the sleeve length).

But....
I'm back in my evil dithering slump. (I'm still searching for Rogue yarn over a year after vowing to knit that sweater). I keep hoping to fall in love with something that I can knit from stash, but am not sure yet that anything I've got on hand will work (okay, some would if there were enough).
I have JUST the right amount of Katia Bufalo, but am not at all sure that it's suedey softness would work for this particular sweater. There's a wholly different sort of draping action going on there.

I plan to lengthen the sleeves. I cannot abide 3/4 sleeves, and can't imagine that these slightly shorter than that sleeves won't also drive me nuts. But I do plan to slog through the moss stitch. (Hmm... does that mean this sweater can work for the SlogAlong blog too? I'll figure that out after swatching.

Classic Elite Skye Tweed

I ordered Classic Elite Skye Tweed as a sub for my Mini Cardi. I'm also modifying the pattern, it seemed like way too much work to make this sweater in moss stitch, so I'm doing straight stockinette. I've also added a little shaping at the waist. Can't wait to see everyone else's!



Happy Knitting!
Bobbi