Azalea and Rosebud Knits
  • Blog
  • Patterns
    • Hats >
      • Roelle Hat
      • Winterset Hat
      • Design Your Own Hat
      • Valentine Cables Hat
      • Kilbourne Hat
      • Etoile Hat
      • Glenrowan Hat
      • Button box cloche
      • Adora Hat
      • Aster Hat
      • Argyle Cabled Beret
      • Zoey Star Beret
      • Cairo Hat
      • Honeycomb Hive Hat
      • Lakkos Cloche
    • Pullovers & Cardigans >
      • Noemy Pullover
      • Yvaine Cardigan
      • Daiva Cardigan
      • Trail Henley
      • Salisa Cardigan
      • Thara Cardigan
      • Dealla Cardigan
      • Shiloh Sweater
      • Katrina Pullover
      • Liana Cardigan
      • Jocasta Pullover
      • Edythe Pullover
      • Ripple Edge Cardigan
      • Kaleidoscope Pullover
      • Sunsine & Rain Henley
      • Begonia Pullover
      • Climbing Rose Henley
      • Irisa Cardigan
      • Makalu
      • Sinai
      • Sand Dollar Cardigan
      • Nopales
      • Lava Rock Cardigan
      • Sharee Cardigan
      • Annalise Pullover
      • Starbrook Pullover
      • Rosemary Cardigan
      • Alison Pullover
      • Edelweiss Cardigan
      • Minnette Pullover
      • Erte Cardigan
      • Nocturnal Pullover
      • Morrison Cardigan
      • Wessex Cardigan
      • Valhalla
      • Leftovers for dinner
    • Tees & Tanks >
      • Cowesett Tee
      • Janesse Pullover
      • Kayleen Pullover
      • Tiye
      • Dahshur
      • Rhodora
      • Jacaranda Tunic
      • Sakura Tee
      • Sunburst Tee
      • Lindell Tee
      • Adeline Camisole
    • Vests & Shrugs >
      • Elephant Vest
      • Elephant Safari Children's Vest
      • Rimrock Vest
      • Bartram Vest
      • Karnak Vest
      • Dark Lotus Shrug
      • Lancero Vest
      • Aster Vest
      • Olexa Vest
      • Morocco Vest
      • Loretto Vest
      • Camellia Shrug
    • Shawls >
      • Nadina Shawl
      • Janelle Shawlette
      • Nile Valley Shawl
      • Ciara Shawl
      • Emmylou Shawl
      • Graciella Shawl
      • Djoser shawl
      • Desert Waves Scarf and Shawl
      • Blackberry Mist Shawl
      • Mariposa Shawl
      • Technidream Shawl
      • Log Cabin Shawl
      • Rosana Shawl
      • Siren Shawl
    • Scarves & Cowls >
      • Zohra Cowl
      • Esna Cowl
      • Avery
      • Lavienne Scarf
      • Joselyn Cowl
      • Jayda Cowl
      • Raissa Cowl
      • Rosewood Cowl
      • Lilka Scarf
      • Hoptree Scarf
    • Gloves >
      • Roelle Gloves
      • June Mitts
      • Cranberry Mitts
      • Cabled Heart Fingerless Gloves
    • Skirts >
      • Lucine Skirt
    • Jewelry & Other Accessories >
      • Inez Necklace
      • Bettina Headwrap
      • Saqqara Necklace
      • Endira Necklace
      • Lapis Cuff
      • Athena Headband
    • Stash-busting
  • Tutorials
    • Entrelac Tutorial
    • Double Knitting tutorial
    • Honeycomb Cables without a cable needle
    • Twisted stitches tutorial: k1tbl & p1tbl
  • eBooks
  • About
  • Contact

A bit more about the Edelweiss Cardigan

1/7/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Tips for a successful Edelweiss Cardigan

My Edelweiss Cardigan has just been published in the Spring 2013 issue of Knitscene, yay!

I think this cardigan is my favorite sweater design to date.  It is lightweight and colorful and would look great over a spring dress or jeans.  This design uses some techniques that might be new to some knitters, so I wanted to write this post to encourage some practice before tackling the sweater.

The gauge swatch.  I know, I know.  I can hear the collective groan.  Gauge swatches are no fun, but it is especially important to make one for the Edelweiss Cardigan.  Why?  Well not only is the correct gauge critical to get the right fit, the gauge swatch also gives you a chance to practice the special techniques involved in the making of this sweater.  What are those special techniques you might be wondering?  Well, they are: stranded colorwork, steeking, and a sewn rib bind off.  I know how you’re feeling, you’re excited to start a new project and want to do it NOW!  But, please, take a couple evenings to work out all the kinks.  This sweater is worked on tiny needles, so for the leisurely knitter it could be several months of work.  I really want everyone working up this pattern to be SUCCESSFUL so take the time and save time, right?  A stitch in time saves nine?  Too corny?  Ok, I’ll get on with the explanation. 

Stranded Colorwork.   For the longest time I struggled with stranded colorwork.  As beautiful as the designs were, I just couldn’t find a way to hold the yarns that was comfortable.  I tried one strand in each hand, both strands over my right index finger, but both ways just made my hand cramp up after a couple minutes.  Then, thanks to twitter, I found this video. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bn704khnO8

One strand on either side of the index finger.  It was like magic, suddenly I whizzed through the rounds like it was nothing and a pretty two color pattern emerged.  I’m not saying you have to hold your yarn this way; I’m saying experiment until you find a method that is comfortable for YOU!  Another thing about stranded colorwork is that it is easy to pull the floats too tight.  Check out this blog post by Eunny Jang which explains how to keep those floats nice and loose, plus there are answers to other questions you might have about working stranded colorwork.

http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/11/tips_tricks_and_treats.html  

Steeking.  Cutting into your knitting is a scary thought, and that is exactly what a steek requires you to do.  This is my first design using a steek and I have to say I was a bit nervous.  I found these posts by Eunny Jang that explain how to steek, and how to secure the steek, in depth and it eased my fears.

http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/01/the_steeking_chronicles_part_ii.html

 I decided to secure the steek with lines of hand sewn backstitching.  It seemed easier and more secure than the crochet method.  A crochet steek might look nicer, but on such a tight gauge I thought it might be difficult for a first time steeker.  If you want to try the crochet method, go for it!  I would love to see how it comes out.

Sewn Rib Bind off.  I used a tubular cast on for the rib at the neckline and wanted a matching bind off at the bottom hem.  A regular sewn bind off is nice and stretchy, but doesn’t exactly blend in with the k1, p1 rib pattern.  I found instructions for a perfect bind off in The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt on page 90, the One Needle Grafted Edge.  The instructions sound a bit complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it, this bind off has an easy rhythm to work and it makes such a nice edge that blends into the rib seamlessly.  Once you master the maneuvering, just remember: knit on, knit off, purl on, purl off. 

Now, the actual making of the gauge swatch.  I will start off by saying that I am a LOOSE knitter.  Everyone has their own tension and their own style of knitting.  It may be necessary to go up one or two needle sizes if you tend to knit tightly.  First make a small Stockinette stitch swatch to see if you are close to getting the right gauge.  Once you determine what needle size YOU need to get the right gauge, find a needle one size smaller, this will be the needle used for the ribbing.  The gauge swatch needs to be worked in the  round, so either use the magic loop method or use dpns. 

Using the smaller needle and a tubular cast on, CO 50 sts.   Make sure sts aren’t twisted, pm and join in the round  K5, pm, work in k1, p1 rib to last 5 sts, pm, knit to end.  Cont in patt for 1”.  Change to larger needle and work in Stockinette stitch for at least 2”.  Now change to the stranded colorwork and work the Steek chart,sl m, work Yoke chart once (40 sts), work steek chart.  Cont in patt to end of chart.  If you start to notice that the work is pulling in on the stranded colorwork then an adjustment needs to be made.  Measure your gauge.  Is the colorwork gauge tighter (more sts per inch) than the Stockinette gauge?  Try to keep the floats looser and continue working.  Still too tight?  Try going up a needle size.  It might be necessary for the whole stranded colorwork section to be worked on a larger needle.  Once you determine how to get the right gauge for the stranded colowork section, change to the smaller needle and the main color.  K5, sl m, work k1, p1 rib to m, knit to end.  Cont in patt for 1”. 

Now practice the sewn rib bind off.  It takes a bit of practice to get the right tension.  After you drop the stitch from the needle gently pull on the yarn until the loop shrinks to the right size and you will see it blend into the knitting.  Once you have bound off all the stitches we are ready to steek.  

Follow the pattern instructions for reinforcing with a backstitch.  It is easier to see what you are doing if you use a contrast color sewing thread, and since the steek will fold back to the inside of the sweater, no one will see it.  Be sure to sew down the middle of each stitch, splitting the yarn plies.  Now the dreaded part.  Cutting the steek.  Be sure to use a sharp pair of scissors.  I happened to see that scissors were on sale at Joann’s and bought myself a pair of Fiskars Knitter scissors.  They are short, sharp scissors with blunt (non-pointy) tips.  Cut between the two middle steek stitches.  Don’t worry, everything will be fine.  Even if (gasp!) the first steek stitches unravel, you reinforced the next stitches so they aren’t going anywhere.  Wool likes to stick to itself, and Nature Spun fingering is pretty darn sticky.  I had to rip out a small section of the sewn bind off, so I know firsthand just how sticky it is!  Now you have a nice flat gauge swatch.  Wash gently and let it dry flat.  Measure the gauge again just to be sure.  That wasn’t so bad, was it?  Now go on and make yourself a beautiful sweater!  I can’t wait to see the projects on Ravelry.  If you have any other questions or problems, please email me and I will do my best to help.  


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Azalea & Rosebud Knits
    Picture

    Author

    Cassie loves to knit, read and cook.  She sometimes does all three at the same time.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Visit Azalea & Rosebud Knits's profile on Pinterest.

    Categories

    All
    Books
    Food
    Gardening
    Knitting
    Quilting
    Sewing

    Archives

    May 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.