THE OFFICIAL SEAWEED CARDIGAN KNIT-ALONG POST!

Beehiveof8 wrote

on Apr 25, 2011 7:36 AM

*** wave wave wave ***

I'm still plugging along!  I'm about 12 inches up on the fronts.  S L O W L Y getting it done, but enjoying the process.  I may have to take a break from it soon.  

You said you didn't have to pick up all the ribbing stitches?  Do you find it too narrow now?  or did you allow extra width while knitting?  I was thinking about widening the fronts and doing a picot/crocheted type edging instead of the ribbing, but opted to just follow the directions as is  this time.  I love how each person can tailor the pattern to their own needs and preferences.  

If you could post a pic, that would be great!  Congrats on finishing the project!

~Lisa

klandreneau wrote

on Apr 25, 2011 7:36 AM

lisafass:

Anyone still there? Finally finished and love it! I slipped the first stitch of

every row for the front sections, leaving a finished edge. No need to pick

up all those stitches! I am going to find someone to crochet the neck to 

finish that.

Hi Lisa---

I'm still getting the auto emails for this KAL--Congrats for finishing!!  Will you post a pic?  That's a smart trick--to slip the first stitch--I wondered if anyone used that.  That is what Judy--"knitter to the stars" recommends.

If you lived nearby, I'd love to crochet your neck edge....  What sort of edge do you want?

I'm moving along on my Maple Street Cardigan--was playing around w/ a crochet ruffle yesterday--undecided--I'm not too sure if I can do the knitted ruffle--will have to try.

Are you planning to join us on this KAL?  There's still plenty of time and the knitting goes fast!

Katherine

JKBear wrote

on Apr 27, 2011 7:59 AM

I'm still here - and I finally loaded pics of my cardigan - I love it!

I followed instuctions almost exactly, except I used kitchener stitch for the shoulders, and used the i-cord bind-off for the sleeves (on recommendation of some here.  I learned so much!  My first full-sized garment and I'm so proud! I learned kitchener stitch, mattress stitch for the sides, pick-up-and-knit (which was easier than I expected), i-cord bind-off...

 I used Maiko yarn by Moro - Wool, Mohair & silk. It is warmer than I expected, but I can wear it for about another month, and then in the Fall.  

Did I say that I love it?! I tell people that I made it, and most say that it doesn't look homemade, which I consider a complement. Because it is very pretty, and very special to me. I enjoy every stitch that went into it.

Thank you, everyone, for your help! And thanks to Kathleen for doing the KAL! I'm not doing the next KAL, but am now daring to do another project on my own. I feel much more accomplished.  

Karen in Indiana

sjc wrote

on Apr 27, 2011 8:50 AM

I love your cardi Karen!  The color is wonderful on you and the lace shows beautifully.  You rightfully should be proud, it's a beautiful accomplishment!

Sherry

klandreneau wrote

on Apr 27, 2011 9:03 AM

Karen,

Looks so good on you!  Sounds like there were a lot of "firsts" for you but you accomplished them!! Hooray!  Wear with sincere satisfaction!! : )

I love seeing what everyone is doing--I've learned so much!!

Keep on Knitting!

Katherine (in Louisiana)

Christine137 wrote

on Apr 27, 2011 9:25 AM

Yay Karen!! Very pretty.  I felt the same sense of accomplishment with mine.

bessT wrote

on Apr 27, 2011 10:41 AM

Karen, it's beautiful knitting! Looks great on you!

This has been a most satisfying project

Beehiveof8 wrote

on Apr 27, 2011 11:38 AM

Beautiful Karen!  Thanks for posting the pics.  It helps encourage slow pokes like me to continue on.  Your cardi is fabulous.

JKBear wrote

on Apr 27, 2011 3:35 PM

It was a very satisfying project - and I love seeing what others have done as well, so keep on knitting - even if you aren't done with this one yet.

Thank you for the complements, everyone!

Karen

Joyce@70 wrote

on Apr 27, 2011 4:36 PM

I am also plugging along with mine.  I knit the fronts and back as a single piece and have broken out the fronts from the back for the sleeves.  I finished the back, and am working on the fronts.  I made the fronts larger for better coverage and am hoping to only do a couple rows of crochet or i-cord to finish it up.  I will decide exactly how I want to finish it after I am done knitting the main part of the sweater and can try it on.  I am very visual and need to see it on me to know how I want to finish the edges.

It is exciting to see my sweater start to come together and resemble the finished look of others who have posted pictures.  It has also been great to follow everyones progress, results, and ideas.  I can't wait until mine is done and I can wear it and post my own pictures :-)

Joyce

Kelleigh wrote

on Apr 27, 2011 4:38 PM

cwg:

 And when you are talking about yarn weight, I just look at yarn and see if it is heavy or light, is there a standardized weight gauge printed somewhere?

CWG,

There is!  Here's one:

http://www.ravelry.com/help/yarn/weights?highlight=12

and another:

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/weight.html

These will also go along with what your yarn label says about gauge, needles to use for that particular yarn, etc.  The above are the two I use most often and when in doubt, I ask my knitting group.  We meet up tomorrow, come to think of it.

Hope this helps some!

p.s.

What are you working on at the moment or what would you like to start?

cwg wrote

on Apr 27, 2011 8:45 PM

Right now, I tore down a hat made of beautiful black yarn, but it is slightly small for the niece I made it for, so I am going to weave in more yarn from another skein. Then I am returning to my simple spring sweater, and thinking of making a wrap of some sort with this really light shiny metallic yarn stitched into it along with some sort of light silk. 

I knit alone, but am hoping to find a group to replace I went to last year at the art museum that ended it  for some reason.

cwg wrote

on Apr 27, 2011 8:46 PM

Oh, and thanks to you and to Bess for your helpful responses to my note.

Kelleigh wrote

on Apr 28, 2011 9:21 PM

CWG,

That hat sounds like it will be very special to your niece, maybe even one she will pass down some day.  Hope to see a pic of it when you're all finished.

I have never made a wrap, though I have patterns for them, don't think I would wear one, but the one you're planning sounds very nice!

I didn't make it to my knitting group tonight, went shopping with my Dad instead and I may have had more fun.   I usually knit alone also as my group only meets once a month on the last Thursday.  Oh well, I tend to get more knitting done when I'm alone anyway.

Oh! And you're welcome, I hope I was able to help you a bit and I will again, if I can.

cwg wrote

on Apr 28, 2011 9:34 PM

It must be nice to live with your father, or even near him. I knitted hat and scarf sets for all my family this year, but had to mail them all as they live spread out. I really want to try this seaweed cardigan, but I am thinking of making it not a cardigan, but v-neck instead. It is pretty enough to work either way, I suspect. Do you live where it is cool enough to wear knits in the spring?  I am still wearing sweaters -- I love sweaters for some reason.