Cabled cardigan test knit, finished

Remember how I said I was knitting away on a test knit? It's done! Cestari reaches out to me about test knitting a pattern for them, as a sample and to make notes on the the not-yet-published pattern, and I said yes. Completing an entire cardigan, knit in pieces, in just under two months felt like a huge accomplishment to me. I was pleased with the finished product, and happy to send it off to Cestari in the hopes that it can be useful as they proceed with the publishing process.

Before I mailed it off, Nicholas took a few photos for posterity, and Cestari said I could share them here, as a teaser. I'll update with post with pattern links in the future, once the pattern is published!

Details

For more details, see my ravelry project page

Yarn: Cestari Monticello Collection DK in the colorway Scarlet Mallow

Size: 38

Pattern: a test knit for Cestari yarn (pattern not yet published)

Needles: US 5 for all pieces, except for button bands (US 4). Recommended needles size all around, which is unusual for me, since I'm typically a very loose knitter and nearly always need to size down a needle size.

Specifics/modifications: All the details are on my ravelry (linked above), but I knit the size the yarn company designated (likely one size up from what I would typically knit for myself). I did use Barbara G. Walker's one-row buttonhole for a cleaner finish for the buttonholes in the button band.

Overall thoughts:

Beautiful pattern! I have never knit a fully seamed sweater (only a vest, knit in pieces). The structure of the seams seems to be a great match for the yarn, if it stretches a bit over time. Order of knitting/assembly is logical. I did find it easier to sew the side seams (back to each side) prior to doing the 3-needle BO shoulder join, just because I could lay all the pieces flat for seaming. If I were to knit this again, I would likely knit the sleeves in plain stockinette stitch and without the garter ridges on all pieces, for a simpler look (just my preference). But it fit well and the finished sweater looked so "finished" in my eyes!

Notes on the yarn

It was a beautiful yarn! I did alternate skeins for most of the sweater, but I didn't notice that much of a difference in color between skeins. Wonderfully soft. Considering that it's a rather inelastic yarn and a cotton/linen blend, it didn't hurt my hands at all, which is surprising. Would definitely use again.

I'll write more about my current knitting projects (3!) and upcoming knitting plans in a post soon. :)


Tags:

Related posts

Corran cardigan, finished

Several weeks ago, I finished a new cardigan! This project was the first time I've done an all over lace pattern, as well as the first time I've made a drop shoulder construction cardigan.

3 min read

Life lately, early September 2023

Today, the air felt different. Cooler and more crisp. Filled with anitcipation. The last several weeks since my last "life lately" post, have been filled with a lot of summery fun and they've felt full. I might be getting ahead of myself, since it was in the upper eighties this past weekend, but decidedly, I love the shift that comes with slightly cooler weather. Nevertheless, here are some things we've been up to in recent weeks:

4 min read

Creativity check, late July 2023

As July comes to a close, I wanted to check in and share some recent projects I've been working on, as well as a few that I've completed. I also wanted to share some creative-focused podcasts I've been enjoying, and some musings about crafting in community and future plans for knitting, sewing, and a brand new, very-beginner skill for me: crochet!

10 min read