This pattern is described as a lightweight cardigan made from sportweight yarn to keep "the fabric thin and wearable all year long."
I live in South Texas. I really do not need a lightweight sweater. What I would like, though, is a heavier weight sweater that I can wear in lieu of a coat for most, if not all, of winter.
For my dear friends who live in the frozen tundra of the Great North, all I can say is that you are more than welcome to visit us. You can even move down, in fact.
So, instead of the sportweight yarn called for in the pattern, I have decided to use a worsted weight Malabrigo in Olive (purchased in part with a wonderful gift certificate from from Bobo to my wonderful local yarn shop). Thank you again!
I even swatched it, although in this picture it is not dry yet.
The gauge called for is 24 stitches and 36 rows per 4 inches square on size 4 (3.5 mm) needles.
The bottom part of my swatch was knitted on size 5 3.75 needles because I tend to knit tighter; however, gauge was way off.
Above the purl row I used the size 4 needles and got as close to gauge as I am ever able to get: 22 stitches and 36 rows per 4 inches square with a much denser fabric than the original pattern called for which was the point. In addition, I LOVE how the Malabrigo has knitted up.
Thus, I am not too concerned about swapping out the yarns.
Now, I just had a date with Mr. Tape Measure. In a bra and my favorite t-shirt my ample bust measures 47.5".
Yeah, that makes me not so happy, but what is a girl to do?
Size-wise, the pattern shows a finished measurement of 48, 52, and 56 inches for the bust.
To determine which size is most comfortable for me, I took out a favorite sweater whose fit I really like. With the sweater on, I put bits of tape on the widest points to get an accurate line, then pulled it off and measured: 50 inches.
Now comes the math.
The pattern calls for 6 stitches per inch. My swatch shows I am knitting 5.5 stitches per inch. Length was spot on.
48 inches (one of the pattern sizes) = 288 stitches
288 divided by 5.5 = 52.36 inches
52.36 (the projected finished bust size of the cardi) minus 47.5 (my bust size in a bra and t-shirt) = 4.86 inches of positive ease.
That sounds pretty darn good, but only if I my calculations and formula are correct.
If I have made a mistake and the cardi comes out a bit too small, I can also increase the button band to compensate an inch or two, if I absolutely have to.
If it is too big...ribbit, ribbit, ribbit off the frog pond it should go.
Any thoughts?
4 comments:
yikes, you make my head hurt. If it is too big, could you skip the button band and someone put in a zipper? That might take up some of the positive ease. I really like that sweater. I have heard of some people using for example a size 5 and a size 4 needle to knit with and they came up with perfect gauge. I am not sure if that would help or not.
I meant to say somehow instead of someone.
Those are great ideas!
I really wanted to make that felted jacket, but I could not justify buying more Malabrigo to do it when, I think, this sweater will carry me through.
Wish me luck!
; )
It will be perfect! A little big is ok because you will likely wear things underneath. :) Oh, and I think it is gorgeous! The color is fabulous.
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