Inspired by the fresh start of a new year I’ve been working hard in the last few days to really clear out the clutter in my flat. I’ve found a lot of junk, but also quite a few long abandoned projects like this cardigan.
I think it ended up stuffed in a bag in the first place because it wasn’t perfect enough to be a pattern, the raglans particularly are way too deep. See how much extra space there is? I think it would look better if the waist hit at my natural waist like this too. I’m not really crazy about the colour either, but the blue buttons and making sure it’s away from my skin helps.
Although I can see why I abandoned this it was really, really close to done and despite the imperfections I think it’s pretty wearable. And a wearable garment is definitely better than clutter that’s been sitting around for almost 2 years!
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
I have way to many projects like this. Maybe I should de-clutter like you.
I actually think this is pretty cute! I do agree in that it could use a bit of tweaking for better structure, but it’s a great first draft!!!
I got excited when I saw you were finishing off a cardigan, but, alas it was not the grey garter. Is it in your pile of stuff you want to finish? I have a basket full of stuff to complete, I have now organized them into separate bags does that count!!!
I quite like it. It does look a bit big on you but if you just went down one size, it could be perfect.
But it’s definitely better on you then in the closet :-)
Honestly (because, you know, you OBVIOUSLY explicitly asked for *my* opinion in the above post), I am not a big fan of the color. But I don’t really see a huge problem with the extra space on the raglans. It gives the sleeves an interesting drape (or so it appears in the photos). The blue buttons are cool.
I have also picked up some of my abandoned projects. I swear I stared at the chart for the blanket and the blanket for a solid 15 min before I could figure out where I was in the pattern. :) This time I wrote the row number down on a post it note so it won’t take me so long to get going.
It’s adorable – so 1940’s. Great way to de-clutter!
Take in the top of the sleeves with a row of blue buttons and… voila! Cute detail and totally wearable! (Perhaps the YOs at the top of the arm can be repurposed to buttonholes?)
You look absolutely like a doll! The perfect model.
If you made it a little smaller and shorter, it would look great on you! Not a bad sweater idea!
I’d love you to make these little changes and to make us a pattern … it’s so cute !
Love the blue buttons – and it could be terribly cute with tweaking. And it’s somehow reassuring that things don’t always fly off your needles perfectly the first time :)
You’ve inspired me. I’m going to brave my trunk of UFOs and see what can be done. And I totally agree, its definitely wearable – you make everything look good!
Ysolda, I’d love to do a feature in The Times on your lovely work. Please can you email me with a contact number and we can arrange to meet up? melanie.reid@thetimes.co.uk Many thanks, Melanie
You’re right that it would better at the natural waistline – but those blue buttons sure do make it pop!
I wish my de-cluttering looked so good. I do like to blue buttons.
Hmmm, I see what you mean. I think it would look quite good on Mhairi though! Let me know if you get a pattern sorted for it! Elspeth
I think it looks great and very stylish
You know, after reading this post I went and found my ufo BOX. Ugh. There were entire sweaters in there that I just didn’t like enough to weave in the ends. You’ve inspired me to either finish them up and make them wearable or rip, rip, rip and turn them into something new. Love the blue buttons and broach.
oh! i really like this cardigan.. you re right abt the natural waistline.. but if u dont pull it down too much.. it will fall where it u wanted it to be.. the sweater may not be as flat on you as it is in the photo.. but a little bit looser.. i really think it would work ANY ways..
remember me from webs? i was the one that showed u how to sign “knitting” with two fingers from each hand making the X with motion!
im now working on your damson shawl.. aiming to wear it for my sons wedding! yaaay! hope it comes out as small as it did for you!
I see what you’re saying about the waist, but I love the raglan. You would know better, however :) I hope to see this polished and published someday soon! xoxo
Are you planning on reworking it and turning out a pattern for it? It’s so cute! It’s something I’d like myself though I’d probably have to make one for my daughter too, and my sister, and my mom… :D
I like it, but I also don’t like the color either. What about dyeing it? I know a lot of people do that with yarn, so it should work for a finished garment.
Beautiful cardigan! Really it has amazing design. That blue buttons looks cool. Gives nice look. Thanks for such nice pictures. I got a new design for my sweater from this post.
It’s cute, but a dip in the dye bath might be a plan too. Have you tried kool-aid or food-color dying? It’s fun and easy.