Thing to Wear Cardigan and Process Vs Product

This is my Thing to Wear Cardigan, by Allyson Dykhuizen, from Holla Knits Winter 2015.  You know, the one with the knitted Fair Isle Pants.  It’s kimono-inspired, graphic, and a completely interesting knit.

It was also my first time to use Malabrigo Rios.  I don’t know how many times I’ve looked at their colorways on Webs, but never bought any.  When I decided to try it, I knew I wanted a Plomo and Paris Nights combo.  Working on that upper back panel was so much fun.

I waffled back and forth over whether I should knit the large kimono sleeves or use Allyson’s later mods to make a fitted sleeve.  In the end, I went with the visual interest of the larger sleeve and am glad I did.

Details:  I made the second size, 40″, using size US 3 needles to get gauge.  It required 6 skeins of the main color and 1 of the contrast.  I have enough left of each for a color block hat.

I have so enjoyed taking part in this KAL.  Like so many Holla Knits patterns, this was a fun challenge.  You know how knitters often describe themselves as either process or product knitters?  Well, I like both.  In the end, though, I probably prefer the final product to interesting process.  That’s why I so appreciate the Holla Knits patterns.  They’re the best of both worlds.  If I scroll through my projects page, I consistently see the most interesting knits as being from HK.

I never got bored knitting this cardigan, not even when knitting the sleeves, ginormous sleeves.  When I asked you guys if you thought I should knit the regular or wide version of sleeves, most of you said you’d prefer the fitted version, as the designer did.  But, I don’t know, these don’t bother me at all.  I did knit them to the pattern’s specifications, knowing I could always block them longer for my monkey arms.  But I don’t know if I will.

One thing I do want to fiddle with, though, is the length of the entire garment.  I blocked it to the pattern dimensions to try that out first.  But, I feel confident I can get another inch in length if I block more aggressively.  I usually like more length, but wasn’t sure if I’d need it, given the different construction.

So, I’m really happy with this little cardigan.  It’s all relaxed and flowy and looks good both pinned or open.

(more on ravelry, kollabora, instagram, flickr, and ello

Other posts on this sweater here: chevrons and neato construction, and WIPs.