Norah Gaughan's Origami Cardigan
Our final gallery this week features the Origami Cardigan by Norah Gaughan, from Interweave Knits Summer 2007.
True to its name, this cardigan has a very unusual construction--simple
and elegant, with a bit of "Wow, how did she think of that?" thrown in.
The fronts are rectangles turned "on point"; the back is shaped
something like an envelope flap pointing upwards, with the point
trimmed off at the neck edge. Once knitted, you sew the bound-off edge
of each front to the back along the lower portion of the back's long
"flap" edge. Then you sew the raglan sleeve between the front and the
back pieces.
Whew! Got all that? It's a bit hard to visualize, so with the help
of patient Bertha, I took a photo of the Origami's left front panel,
with things held out so you can more clearly see the side/raglan seam.
The side seam
Everyone
here who tried on this cardigan loved it, and when Bertha was wearing
it in our lobby, she attracted a lot of attention. The Origami's shape
is flowing and unique--it makes me think of rice-paper screens, the
smell of woven grass floor mats, and raw silk dresses.
Did I try it on? Yep. It's tight on me, because the sample size is a
33.5"--needless to say, that's not a Sandi-sized garment. What size
would I make? Here's how I would approach the question: The 44" seems
logical, given my 43" full bust measurement. However, take a look at
the photo of me (with the idiotic grin--what was I thinking when that
was taken?)
Origami Sandi
and compare it to the magazine photo, which was styled by folks who
knew how the sweater was supposed to fit. See the overlap at the front?
On me, the overlap is about 3-4" short of the overlap in the official
photo, so I need a sweater at least 4" bigger. The next size up from
the 33.5" sample is 38.5", which would be five inches bigger from what
I am wearing in the photo. The sample's armholes are a teensy bit tight
on me; not so tight that they cut off circulation, but not as loose as
I would like them. The extra inch allowed for armholes in the 38.5"
size would be more comfortable. Given all this, the 38.5" size might be
a good choice for me.
But why would I make a size smaller than my full bust measurement?
Everyone sing along: Negative ease! If I made something ten inches
bigger than the sample I tried on, it would be extremely
comfortable--but it would be the comfort of a lovely tent on me. This
sweater is all about shape and line and geometry; making it too big
would destroy its beauty.
You can find the patterns for the Origami Cardigan, the Oriel Lace Blouse, and the 1824 Blouson in Interweave Knits Summer 2007. The Summer Wheat Tank is a free pattern on Knitting Daily. Enjoy!
Bertha hears the mermaids singing
In the "I Should Know Better Than To Post A Photo Without Mentioning The Pattern" Category: The scarf Bertha is wearing to show off her wild side is the Mermaid Scarf, designed by some wild crazy gal named Sandi for the Spring 2007 Interweave Crochet
staff project. The scarf normally decorates my cubicle's bookcase, and
so when Bertha suggested she be given something more free-spirited to
wear, that bit of bright pink crocheted lace seemd the perfect choice.
Want a look at what's ahead on Knitting Daily? Someone came
into my office at lunch today with a VIDEO CAMERA and caught me
knitting a project that's coming in September. So here you go, a
literal Sneak Peek!
Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.
What's on Sandi's needles? Yes, folks, it's true: I will be ripping back the front of the Bonsai Tunic by Norah Gaughan. Yes, I shall post photos of my infamous defeat pre-rip-fest, but allow me to gather up my courage first. On my needles: About 18 inches' worth of cables and twisted stitches for a charity scarf, with the design coming soon to Knitting Daily.
Someone asked if this was the ONLY thing on my needles...you caught me!
I am the Unfinished Objects Fairy, spreading my little stardust magic
over as much casting-on and as many needle sets as possible.