It’s beautiful in Washington, DC right now. We’ve had a run of gorgeous weather and my yard is in full bloom: cherry trees, daffodils, tulips, camellias, and more. For example:
Naturally, therefore, I’m working on a cardigan whose color and design screams fall, not spring. It’s the Creature Comforts Cardigan from Madelinetosh. The only link I could find is on Ravelry, so here are some photographs of how it is supposed to look for those of you who don’t belong.
I’m knitting mine out of Madelinetosh Worsted (now renamed Madelinetosh DK) in the color Toast. My gauge is therefore a bit lighter, so I’m knitting a larger size. It’s an easy knit — just a big rectangle that you then seam to create the shape. I started with a provisional cast on so that instead of seaming the ribbing, I’ll knit it all at the same time in the round when the sweater’s finished. It’s going slowly, but here’s where I am thus far. The color is very true in these photographs.
You couldn’t ask for more mindless knitting, and I think I’ll wear it to death when it’s finished. Or at least I will come fall.
ETA: Cindy asked: “The comments on Ravelry about this pattern sound like the pattern is full of mistakes. A couple people had to take the whole thing apart and gave up. I wonder if you found it to be difficult to follow.”
I believe that the pattern has been updated; the one I am using is labeled Version 2. I haven’t found any mistakes in the pattern I’m using. One caveat is that I have barely referred to the directions b/c the pattern to me was pretty straightforward. Moreover, I am using the chart for the leaf pattern, not the written directions. So there could be mistakes in those directions that I haven’t noticed; the chart is error free as far as I can tell.
PS from Susan: I am sick with jealousy over Sally’s beautiful flowers!! They are absolutely gorgeous. Last night our water heater died so I had to coif with ice cold water today… 🙁 That is all. 🙂
Oh, WOW, that looks beautiful! Thank you for the gorgeous close-up photos! (Umm, for those of us who are less experienced knitters, could you explain the “provisional caston/in the round” works as an alternative to seaming? Or direct us to a post where you have already done so?) 🙂 -V.
Comment by victoria — April 7, 2010 @ 1:47 pm
That yarn shows such great stitch detail. Very nice!
Comment by Sue — April 7, 2010 @ 2:51 pm
What a breath of fresh air to see those first three lovely photos. So cheery and beautiful! No sunshine today where I live! So, thanks! And your Creature Comforts Cardigan is gorgeous. I love checking in on your blog regularly.
Comment by Sue/Upstate NY — April 7, 2010 @ 3:53 pm
The flowers are lovely.
The cardigan pattern looks a lot like the one I am trying to make myself work on. I started it and then got sidelined by Christmas knitting, and am just about to get back to it. You can take a peek here: http://joammamauselina.blogspot.com/2009/08/well-prodded-day.html
Comment by Joanna Ryan — April 7, 2010 @ 4:13 pm
Oh, I love those leaves! Looks like a wonderful project.
Comment by Kym — April 7, 2010 @ 4:21 pm
fantastic leaves! Love the way they look.
Comment by Ruth — April 7, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
The comments on Ravelry about this pattern sound like the pattern is full of mistakes. A couple people had to take the whole thing apart and gave up. I wonder if you found it to be difficult to follow.
Comment by Cindy in Billings MT — April 7, 2010 @ 5:09 pm
Very pretty.
Comment by Kay - From the Back Yard — April 7, 2010 @ 8:40 pm
WOW! Absolutely gorgeous and I think I might make this one myself! I love the drapey look of it
Comment by Kimberly — April 7, 2010 @ 8:57 pm
Gorgeous photos all around. That is a dynamite oak leaf pattern.
Comment by twinsetellen — April 7, 2010 @ 9:48 pm
I’m jealous of your blossoms. we are having an early spring in Ontario, but no blossoms where I live. -Yet.
Comment by Brenda — April 8, 2010 @ 10:33 am
Beautiful sweater. I thought I’d seen every pattern there was but this is new to me. Oh–and my hot water heater died today too. Arrrggggh!
Comment by Wendhy — April 8, 2010 @ 11:05 am
Lovely, lovely. Thanks for both the lovely flowers and the beautiful knitting. Brightened my day 🙂
Comment by Natalie — April 8, 2010 @ 2:50 pm
Gorgeous project. I am just sewing up my squares for the Great American Afghan and, to me, the oak leaves in this sweater look exactly like the oak leaves on one of the GAA squares. One of my favorite squares in the GAA. By the way, your posting about the Great American Aran Afghan has got me inspired to tackle that project as well. Thank you for a beautiful blog.
Comment by Kim Fluck — April 8, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
Hi, what a wonderful sweater this will make, I always admire your projects, they are so refined, beautiful and look so perfect.
I have been wondering, and maybe you have been asked before, but I just have to ask again: On your blog header picture are you both standing on steps in San Marino (Italy)? I could swear I have stood on those steps some time in the 80’s on a holiday in Italy.
Regards, Susanne
Comment by Susanne — April 9, 2010 @ 5:38 pm
Hi Sally,
I admire your(and your sister) blog for months. All your picures are so gorgeous.
And you knitting ! I dream to be at even 10% of your perfection !
While looking at your blog today, I have been so surprised: the picture of the bunch of flowers in the blue pot (with the rabbit on the side of the picture) seems so familiar to me !
My parents had the same pot, + 2 tea cups and other dish. My brother inherited this dish when my father died years ago. Do you have some French, and especially Britanny origin ?
This pot is from Quimper, so I am curious to know how you happen to have one.
I think this serie has not been made in great quantities, so it must be pretty rare. This explains my surprise!
It comes from the HB Henriot factory and dates from the years 50.
I have a book about Quimper which shows a picture of the tea pot and tea cup. If you are interested I can scan it.
The technique of drawing is named “tubée et perlée”.
As we say in French “la curiosité est un vilain défaut”. But I am curious to know where your vase comes from,
so if you want to anwser with a mail, that would be very nice.
Keep up your so great blog, it’s such a regular pleasure to read you and look at your pictures.
–Chantal from France (My Ravelry name is stamm92)
Comment by Chantal — April 10, 2010 @ 3:12 pm
Execuse me,i also found errors of row6-9 but the author didn’t reply me email,so,i found your blog writing your successful experience about this work,may i please you to share version 2 to me to go on? And you said cable chart is right,right? Thanks so much~
Comment by amy — November 28, 2012 @ 10:21 am