That’s not a command, it’s the name of the project I am working on…an old one at that! I have wanted to make Rowan’s Whisper Cardigan by Kim Hargreaves since it came out years ago. I love designs that are “classic with a twist” and this fits that description to a tee.
The original was knit in Rowan Calmer. I bought the same yarn and color and proceeded to start. But, I quickly learned that I hate knitting with Calmer (sorry, Calmer fans!). I tried this in several other yarns over the years and none seemed to work. Surly gave me a bunch of Jaeger Extra Fine Merino and it seems to be the best match:
The knitting looks rough here (and in person) so I pray that the miracle of blocking improves it. But it is very nice yarn. The irony is, I made the Baby Cables and Big Ones, Too (another great example of ‘classic with a twist’!) and could have used this yarn — the identical yarn and color used by the designer!
What had stopped me from progressing on this sweater were the cardigan fronts. There are knit facings that are folded back. The buttonholes are therefore knit twice: once for the real front and once for the facing. Because the facing is picked up along the edge, that knitting is going in the opposite direction…so on the fronts you space the buttonholes with rows and on the facings with stitches. Then you are supposed to just button through both holes. That issue and the problem with the bottom corners of the fronts has plagued me. I could not continue with this project until I came up with a solution. I finally devised a plan, which I will share when the sweater is done (and after seeing if it actually works!).
Hope your summer is going great! It seems to be moving too quickly, as is always the case. I will be entertaining my family tomorrow so today consists of my two least favorite things: cleaning and shopping! 
What a beautiful cardigan! I hope your buttonhole plan works out. I only knit with Calmer once, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience, although I like the finished fabric. But it was so stretchy that it was hard to figure out the gauge.
Comment by Cheryl S. — July 30, 2010 @ 9:33 am
I have knitted this cardigan with yorkshire tweed. I still love it, and I wear it a lot. Sewing the buttons to get a perfect match with the buttonholes is a bit tricky here, though.
Comment by Luisa — July 30, 2010 @ 10:42 am
Somehow “regular” people never seem to realize that grocery shopping and “stash enhancement expeditions” are two totally different types of activities that share almost nothing in common except the hand-over of money at the conclusion…
Comment by Sivani — July 30, 2010 @ 11:11 am
I love most of Kim Hargreaves’ designs – and that is another winner! Look forward to seeing the finished object.
Enjoy the family time (and just grit your teeth for the cleaning and shopping!)
Comment by Soo — July 30, 2010 @ 11:24 am
I’m with you on the cleaning and the shopping! Have a wonderful time with your family.
Comment by Kym — July 30, 2010 @ 12:17 pm
Though I am a Calmer lover, I must acknowledge the beauty of the yarn you’ve chosen. But I’d use the Calmer. 🙂
I also acknowledge what a pain a faced button hole can be and am looking forward to your solve!
Comment by twinsetellen — July 30, 2010 @ 4:19 pm
I really do love your sense of style and taste!
Comment by twinsetjan — August 10, 2010 @ 7:04 pm