The second sweater I knit as a Christmas gift was an open cable cardigan for my husband. I used City Tweed by Knitpicks in the color Tabby. I designed it “on the fly” using Elizabeth Zimmerman’s rough instructions for a seamless hybrid. What I like about that kind of design is that you get the look and fun of a knitted in shoulder strap, which I’ve always been partial to.
The tricky part of the design was having the open cable start at the wrist and end just where I wanted it to at the neck. I had to play around a lot with my raglan and shoulder decreases. In a moment of design stress, I gave up the idea of surprise and made my husband try it on. About every five minutes. Fortunately, he’s a patient man and he loves the sweater.
Here are some not great photos of the finished product. First, the back so that you can see the yoke:
A bit of the shoulder and neck:
The front:
And, finally, a close up of the cable detail (the cable runs up the sleeves and up each side):
Oh, this is gorgeous! Your pictures are great, but the sweater is even better. Beautiful design –
Comment by Ali — January 14, 2010 @ 12:43 pm
I love the shaping on the yoke!
Comment by jess — January 14, 2010 @ 12:43 pm
It’s just wonderful! I absolutely love it. This is one of the “patterns” I’ve been considering for a cardigan for my husband. I love your cable detail.
Comment by Cheryl S. — January 14, 2010 @ 12:48 pm
Beautiful! I love those sleeves. I’m currently trying to wing a similar cable sleeve in a sweater I’m recreating from an existing sweater, so I think seeing yours was a good sign!
Comment by Allyson — January 14, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
OMG – I just looked at your Ravelry projects and saw that you’re making the Pearl Buck cardigan. I just picked up copy of that IK issue from my knitting guild library–I’ve been wanting to make that cardigan since I saw someone wearing it at a knitting retreat last fall. I’m not sure the shape would be extremely flattering on me though – I might have to make a less swingy version.
Comment by Cheryl S. — January 14, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
Really, really nice. And your kitchener is impeccable.
Comment by lilly — January 14, 2010 @ 1:04 pm
What a SUPERMODEL your beloved is! Work it!
I am so glad he loves it–I love it too!
Comment by suzanne — January 14, 2010 @ 1:39 pm
Any chance you’ll write up a pattern, or is it too close to EZ’s??? I love it.
Comment by Maria — January 14, 2010 @ 1:40 pm
Gorgeous! Beautiful work. I’ve been wanting to try that EZ pattern as well – I’m a big fan.
Comment by Katie — January 14, 2010 @ 1:41 pm
Handsome sweater, handsome fellow (as much of him as we can see, anyway!)
Comment by Joanna Ryn — January 14, 2010 @ 1:53 pm
Brooklyn Tweed, Eat your hat! Beautiful knitting, and I love the fact that the color (tabby) is named after a cat breed.
Comment by Rebecca — January 14, 2010 @ 2:05 pm
That is really gorgeous. Wish my hubby was a sweater wearer but he is always too warm (an Italian in the NW). We tell him that it’s the olive oil and garlic keeping him overheated. But that pattern would be just as wonderful as a woman’s cardy. Will have to consider that seriously. Thanks for the great photos.
Comment by Joan — January 14, 2010 @ 3:18 pm
Of course, he loves the sweater — it is gorgeous.
Comment by Sue — January 14, 2010 @ 3:31 pm
Too cool for school! And ditto everyone else’s comments as well!
Comment by Chloe — January 14, 2010 @ 3:34 pm
Just perfect!
Comment by Kym — January 14, 2010 @ 3:49 pm
From Susan — The [other] Rainey Sister rocks! The sweater is perfect and Pinocchio looks great!
Comment by lv2knit — January 14, 2010 @ 4:25 pm
That is a stunning sweater, and the fit is perfect. Will you be sharing the design? My husband is very picky, but he would love this sweater.
Comment by Astrid — January 14, 2010 @ 5:04 pm
City Tweed is fantastic, isn’t it? I am using it for a scarf, and already trying to find an excuse to use it again in a sweater.
Comment by eightoclock — January 14, 2010 @ 5:05 pm
You’ve managed to create a sweater that is satisfying from a knitter’s perspective, and yet wearable for a man. I’ve found that to be quite an achievement. Beautiful sweater!
Comment by Pam — January 14, 2010 @ 5:13 pm
Wow what a beautiful looking sweater…such manly looking buttons.
Comment by Jody van D — January 14, 2010 @ 6:05 pm
This is a lovely sweater – and I’m sure he knew it was worth all the trying on to get it perfect – it is truly gorgeous!
Comment by Anne — January 14, 2010 @ 6:05 pm
Gorgeous, as usual!
Comment by Marie — January 14, 2010 @ 6:36 pm
Great fit. well done !
Comment by ilana hopwood — January 14, 2010 @ 6:46 pm
I love it!!!
Comment by Dolores — January 14, 2010 @ 7:25 pm
That is one good-looking sweater! I have been curious about that yarn, are you very
happy with it?
Comment by Bets — January 14, 2010 @ 7:28 pm
Beautiful sweater! I see very few sweaters for men that look both masculine and comfortable. This one fits the bill perfectly. I love the look of the yarn and color too.
Comment by MaryLou — January 14, 2010 @ 7:45 pm
Beautiful sweater!!!!! The buttons are a great fit too!!!!! Just absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Snowbird — January 14, 2010 @ 7:55 pm
that is the quintessential guy sweater. A great adaption of an EZ design. Well done.
Comment by Brenda — January 14, 2010 @ 8:14 pm
It’s not piling on if it is praise, right? Right. In that case, I’ll add my wow! that is a great sweater!
Comment by twinsetellen — January 14, 2010 @ 8:53 pm
Wow, what a great sweater design and finished project!
Comment by Trista — January 14, 2010 @ 10:55 pm
The perfect man’s cardigan! I love it. Will you publish the pattern?
Comment by Elizabeth Risch — January 14, 2010 @ 11:19 pm
Very wonderful – and beautifully photographed as well!
Comment by queenie — January 14, 2010 @ 11:34 pm
WOW — fabulous sweater! The pictures are beautiful!
We live in Tucson, AZ and my husband wears a sweater once a year (Christmas Eve church service) — my first knitted object — before I knew that ‘yarn shops’ existed — so it is made out of Red Heart acrylic puchased at Walmart(belive it or not)!
Perhaps it is time for ‘husband sweater, part 2).
Comment by kath — January 15, 2010 @ 12:23 am
Gosh, I love that sweater! Good job! Lucky Hubby!
Comment by RuthieJ — January 15, 2010 @ 8:39 am
Just gorgeous – if it’s not too un-manly to say…
Comment by Deirdre — January 15, 2010 @ 9:00 am
The sweater looks and fits great. I have a lot of trouble with saddle shoulders.
Comment by Christy J — January 15, 2010 @ 10:21 am
It’s fabulous! I love how that cable goes from cuff to collar.
Comment by Evie — January 15, 2010 @ 10:22 am
Fabulous! What a handsome result!
Comment by NewJerseyLarua — January 15, 2010 @ 10:27 am
Beautiful design. Perfect fit. You are amazing.
Comment by Claudine — January 15, 2010 @ 11:23 am
Another masterpiece! You do such wonderful work!
Comment by Trudy — January 15, 2010 @ 7:24 pm
This is a gorgeous sweater! Lucky man!
Comment by Catherine — January 15, 2010 @ 10:46 pm
Wow! That’s absolutely wonderful! I love the color and your design….amazing solution!
Comment by Angela — January 15, 2010 @ 11:47 pm
Oh my gosh, I love it. Congrats!! I wish I had a pattern just like it. If you ever write it up and publish it, I’d buy it in a blink of the eye! 🙂 I’m not good at ‘figuring things out’ on EZ patterns but love her clever, practical ideas. So far have only made her things for kids and babies. I have two grown sons that would actually WEAR a handknit sweater if it looked like this!! 🙂 The yarn choice is perfect. I love Knitpicks.
Comment by Kathy — January 16, 2010 @ 1:09 am
Really, really lovely sweater! The shoulder and yoke are perfect!
Comment by delores — January 17, 2010 @ 5:12 pm
It’s such a great looking sweater people may not even realize it’s a hand knit! Those perfect buttons were popular in the 60’s and used on men and women’s sweaters as I recall.
Comment by Ann — January 18, 2010 @ 11:49 am
You did an amazing job! What talent. How long did it take you? I am very impressed!
Comment by Carico — January 18, 2010 @ 4:53 pm
wow…nothing to be said that hasn’t been already! but that is one of the nicest sweaters i’ve seen! would love you to publish your pattern changes!
Comment by michael — January 20, 2010 @ 7:50 am
Pardon me while I “gush.” Oh my goodness that’s a gorgeous manly sweater!!!
Comment by CatMyers — January 20, 2010 @ 3:32 pm
That’s a great looking sweater. The yarn is just right for it too.
Comment by technikat — January 20, 2010 @ 4:21 pm
I am from Germany i like your website.
I don´t speak good english, sorry. The open cable cardigan for your husband is brilliant.
I would like to postknit this cardigan. Where the instructions from knitting for this open cable cardigan ?
If there are these instructions to also knit in german?
I would be glad if they write back to me, because i would like to knit a cardigan to my husband.
I thank them already beforehand.
Lots of Love
Isabella
Comment by Isabella L. — January 28, 2010 @ 4:20 am
I have forgotten to mention my mail address here it is
brunella@onlinehome.de
I would be glad really very much if they answered to me.
Thank you
Comment by Isabella L. — January 28, 2010 @ 5:25 am