and its the moutain view cardigan. because i only finished knitting the pieces about a month ago! im scared of seaming ok?! but when i did bite the bullet, it went quite well, although 100% bamboo is not so good to seam with, as lovely as it was too knit with. something about the seaming took all the twist out of it and i ended up trying to run 8 threads simultaneously through the eye of a needle.

but, here she is. and because shes special, you get one and only one picture of me wearing it (and yes, thats possum on the bed, again).

not a very good picture, but you get the basic idea. project details are as follows:

pattern: mountain view cardigan by connie chang chinchio. overall, a well written pattern (though there are some minor details missing which literal thinkers like me kind of need), with very generous sizing. i made the 48″ version and my measurements were almost exactly as per the pattern measurements for each piece.

yarn: naturally atlante 100% bamboo. purchased from sew and tell in berry. i used nearly all of 15 balls. originally, i only bought 5 balls of this as it was going to be a clapotis or something like that, but then i saw jody making this pattern and had a light bulb moment. this yarn is hard to describe, its so soft and silky and has a beautiful sheen to it. the variegation is mild and subtle, and its made in italy, so it has a lovely tight twist to it, similar to zara. its perfect for our weather, and in this pattern, which is really a layering garment, so its soft right next to the skin which means i will get a lot more wear out of it and can wear it with tshirts throughout autumn and spring (i have a slight problem with wool right next to my skin). its not too heavy, but surprisingly warm, and has a lovely swing and drape to it.

sticks: knitpicks harmony and options interchangeable circulars 3.5mm. i got gauge straight away. tension square? what is that? i started on harmony needles because the bamboo was kind of slippery but for the sleeves i went back to the options esp for the lace. also the pattern says to use one size smaller needle for the hem and lace etc but im lazy and didnt! i dont think it matters. for the neck band, which is only 9 stitches back and forth, i used harmony DPNs size 3.25mm to avoid all that turning of the work etc.

modifications: none whatsoever, well not deliberate. i completely forgot to do button holes on the right front, so instead of ripping back i just did them on the left front. i think this means i am buttoning like a man. meh. i also didnt really measure where to put the buttonholes but just went with with what looked right (hence, they arent actually spaced evenly at all!), and i only did 5 because i dont want it to button all the way down.

what i learnt: bigger sizes are difficult, you cant just assume that the measurements given are yours, because a bigger bust measurement doesnt always mean everything else is in proportion! i am short, so i was careful and measured myself and knit to my own measurements, which were mostly the same as the pattern’s, but  i do think its too long and droops a bit at the front. that could be the weight of the yarn that just drags it down a bit in those corners. also, its a bit long in the arms and even tho i measured, i think the issue is that the shoulder measurements are too big, so the shoulder seam drops down a bit. i think the angle of the ‘raglan’ could have been sharper there and that would make it sit a bit better up on my shoulder.i am wondering if its possible to put a tuck in there somewhere to bring it up an inch or so.

i also learnt that patience is everything with seaming. i am not entirely happy with how the sleeve sits in the shoulder space, that is very tricky trying to do mattress stitch in that area. i did think of outsourcing the seaming, but i wanted to try and make this feel all mine if i could, so i spread the seaming out and just did what i could cope with. so it took me a bit longer but im glad i didnt rush, for the most part it has neat almost invisible seams. (not neat enough to be winning any awards tho!).

0verall i am really pleased with this. i think the style suits me and what i will be wearing in autumn and winter, it looks good with jeans and over a dress. i just need to get some white shirts to wear underneath to show off the beautiful lace panel in the back!

thanks connie for thinking of larger sizes in your stylish and elegant patterns. i hope we do you justice!

k xx