Specs...
Yarn: Lang Soft Shetland, in garnet
Needles: Knit Picks Options size 7
Pattern: Cable-Down Raglan by Stefanie Japel, from Interweave Knits, Spring '07
Modifications: see below, and my previous post about the raglan increases.
For better or worse, it's still sweater weather here in New England, and I'm glad at least so that I can wear this sweater a couple times (please let it only be a couple times...) before it warms up around here.
This was a really enjoyable sweater to knit, and I'm thinking about making up my own design in this general style, but in cotton, for spring/summer wear. I think this neckline is attractive, and it was so satisfying to finish knitting the second sleeve, weave in the ends, and put the sweater on! No sewing involved, not one little bit. Woo hoo!
A few observations: the options for the length of this sweater are quite limited by the approximately 4" tall main cable motif. In the pattern, she tells you to go to a certain length, about 1-2" apart for each of the sizes, ending on pattern row 30. But I don't know how you could stop at those intervals given those 30 row pattern repeats. Also, I was picky enough to calculate where I wanted to start the waist cables based on what would allow me to end both patterns on the last row of the 2 patterns - one of the motifs is 28 rows, and the other is 30 rows, so it took a little extra planning.
For the sleeves, I expected to have to end the smaller cables somewhere other than on the last row of the pattern, since I hadn't been thinking about where to start them, I just started when the pattern told me to. However, it miraculously worked out and I ended both cables on the same row as I did on the body. This was fortuitous, and wouldn't have occurred if I had knit a 3/4 sleeve as the pattern called for, but I had decided to knit a long sleeve. It was just a happy coincidence, clearly a reward from the Knitting Goddess for my forethought on the body, right?
One sort of annoying thing that I might change were I to knit this again, is that the borders at the bottom of the body and sleeves flare a bit, because the cables pull in, and there are no decreases to make the stockinette/reverse stockinette border the same width as the main pattern. However, I'm a fan of bell sleeves, so I don't care enough to re-do it. Just a word to the wise...
In spite of these small complaints, I do really love the sweater. It fits well (after another bout of ripping when I discovered that the 41" size was too big, and switched to the 38"), and I love the design overall.
Tomorrow I'm off to NYC for a conference with a few members of the youth group I work with. Six teenagers in the big city for three days... think I'll live to tell the tale? It's a little weird to be going to New York and probably won't have time to see anyone or visit any of my old haunts. Must make a recreational trip back to the Big Apple one of these days soon...
Ah, very pretty - I think I must have looked right by that sweater in the magazine, but your version is inspiring!
Posted by: Donna | April 10, 2007 at 02:35 PM
Oh, it's lovely! It looks like a boyfriend sweater. I love all things cable!
Posted by: Felicia | April 10, 2007 at 03:05 PM
Goodness, you're quick. I could swear you just started that thing!
I like it. Great color--it suits you. :-)
Posted by: Beth S. | April 10, 2007 at 03:36 PM
Yay! It's perfect! And I didn't make it to Knitting tonight to see it in person. Boo hoo.
Posted by: Teresa C | April 10, 2007 at 08:21 PM
That sweater is gorgeous and I am now going to dig up my copy of IK for another look at the pattern!
Posted by: Peeve | April 10, 2007 at 09:01 PM
It looks great! I've been eyeing that pattern...but I have too much on the needles already.
Posted by: Katy | April 10, 2007 at 09:30 PM
That is a beautiful sweater! :)
Posted by: Romi | April 11, 2007 at 01:35 AM
What a pretty sweater & it looks perfect on you!
See you on the 21st ;)
Posted by: Sara | April 11, 2007 at 02:14 PM
pssst: it's prettier in person. I'm only a little covetous.
Posted by: julia fc | April 13, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Wow, that's gorgeous.
Posted by: Uli | April 14, 2007 at 12:51 AM
Love the sweater. Now, I have to go look for my magazine, which has been MIA for a month or more. I don't remember seeing this sweater. I think maybe it's your modification to long sleeves that helps make yours more appealing than the magazine. Nice job.
Posted by: knitting bandit | April 16, 2007 at 09:08 AM
And I was going to ask you about those bell sleeves. I didn't remember seeing those when I flipped through the magazine a few weeks ago. I actually prefer them. It looks very nice on you!
Ang
Posted by: angelarae | April 16, 2007 at 10:23 PM
It turned out lovely! I need to get back to mine, but I had to take a break from it!
Posted by: marti | April 20, 2007 at 12:23 PM
it's really pretty! thanks for the mods and the pattern notes. this has been on my list ever since that issue came out... it's definitely in the queue.
Posted by: Ann | April 20, 2007 at 04:21 PM
Hey I just saw the preview of the summer issue of IWK, and saw your yoga bag design! Congrats! That's great!
Posted by: Ellen | April 20, 2007 at 08:43 PM
Oh, I like that. Well done...and I'm with you on the paired increases....
Posted by: juno | April 23, 2007 at 11:28 PM
Congrats on your Interweave design! I may just have to knit one up!
Posted by: Michele | April 24, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Not only is the sweater beautiful, congratulations on your upcoming IK pattern - I saw it in the preview and was so excited for you!
Posted by: Donna | April 26, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Oo that is a very nice sweater!! Love the color :)
Posted by: Irie | June 17, 2007 at 12:51 AM