First, you fall madly in love and then in an ideal world, marriage follows (::gag::). BUT, this is what happened to me in my knitting life!!
Any semi-regular reader knows that there are two recent designs that I am completely smitten with: Sweet Dreams Shawlette from Boo Knits and Hitofude by Hiroko Fukatsu.
Well, I was toying with the idea of knitting another Hito in a different lace pattern when the lightning bolt struck: Sweet Dreams and Hito both have 12-stitch repeats! Kaboom! I almost fell to the ground when it hit me!
So, as simple as it seems to substitute lace pattern B for lace pattern A, there was the problem of the skirt. The Hito skirt is enlarged by adding plain sts to the lace panels. If I did that to Sweet Dreams, the final points at the hem would be farther apart and odd.
My solution was to add pattern repeats to each front edge and incorporate the lace pattern as I went along. I could not follow BooKnits’ chart because she increases 3 sts every 2 rows per side and I wanted to increase 1 st every 4 rows on each side. This was the part that took the longest — graphing out the lace pattern for the new rate of increase. I also increased needle sizes as I knit the skirt. And believe me — there was fudging along the way!!
My Sweet-o-fude:
I used Madelinetosh Merino light in Well Water and barely cracked into the 4th skein. Like I said, I changed up needles sizes, using a US 5-6-7-8-9. Once the charting was done, the knitting was pretty straight forward. I love this spring-summer cardi! 
What can I say? It is a marriage made in heaven!! 😉
PS – Surly arrives today! 🙂
The brilliance of your very self! Nice colorway, too.
Comment by Suzan — April 24, 2014 @ 9:12 am
LOVE it!! Can’t wait to see it in person . . .
Comment by Mary M — April 24, 2014 @ 10:03 am
Wow, that is astoundingly pretty! Well done! 🙂
Comment by Katinka — April 24, 2014 @ 10:28 am
oh, you smart smart girl
this is perfect!!!!!!
Comment by Melissa — April 24, 2014 @ 10:29 am
Absolutely Amazing. Such a gorgeous piece.
Comment by nursenikkiknits — April 24, 2014 @ 10:37 am
Absolutely fabulous! You are brilliant!
Comment by Nancy — April 24, 2014 @ 10:39 am
Fantastic job – it’s stunning!
Comment by Cheryl S. — April 24, 2014 @ 11:47 am
Wow! fantastic lace. I am always amazed at your understanding of knitting (your sister as well). I pull up your blog excited to see what you two have done. It’s always interesting.
Comment by Rose — April 24, 2014 @ 12:06 pm
Wow – that is breath taking. The merging of the two patterns just work beautifully.
Comment by GailR — April 24, 2014 @ 1:15 pm
That’s just stunning! I love the combo of yarn color & pattern meld. When will you model it for the blog?
Comment by Samina — April 24, 2014 @ 1:34 pm
Beautiful! Stupid question through . . . how did you photograph it with the end up in the air? Did you use a clear wire or something?
Comment by Heather — April 24, 2014 @ 6:31 pm
Holy Moly! When I grow up, I want to be a knitter just like you! Are you going to wear this Saturday? Enjoy your sister!
Comment by Susan — April 24, 2014 @ 7:11 pm
Love love love!!!!! Enjoy sister time too!!
Comment by Susan — April 24, 2014 @ 7:40 pm
Beautiful! What do we have to pay you to share your chart/more detailed instructions for your modifications with us (or at least with me 😉 ?
Comment by Lissa — April 24, 2014 @ 8:04 pm
This is nothing short of brilliant! So well done, Susan! Who wouldn’t want this cardigan for summer?
Comment by Jennie — April 24, 2014 @ 8:08 pm
Beautiful. I think you should share your pics and mod instructions with the writer of Hitofude. This one should be made by many. Perfect for spring.
Julie
Comment by Julie in San Diego — April 24, 2014 @ 9:32 pm
It’s all been said above but just wanted you to know that I ran into Colin Firth and he said, “Absolutely brilliant!” Can’t wait to see you and Sally on Saturday! It’s going to be great!
Comment by Kathy W. — April 24, 2014 @ 10:40 pm
I like to think I’m clever enough with a pair of needles, but I stand in awe of what you just pulled off! 🙂
Comment by Helen — April 25, 2014 @ 3:45 am
Amazing ! Hope you are able to share the pattern…….You get me in so much trouble w/ all of your knitting genius, because I think maybe I could do it too !
Comment by nancy — April 25, 2014 @ 2:37 pm
Wow! I love the way your mind works!!!This is beyond gorgeous – I love Madtosh!
Comment by Angela — April 25, 2014 @ 5:21 pm
That is beautiful! But you gotta stop enticing me with new knits. Just kidding. Makes me want to knit on my Hitofude.
Comment by Penny — April 26, 2014 @ 6:43 am
Exquisite! A true masterpiece to treasure. Brava Susan. [insert standing ovation here]
Comment by Elizabeth — April 27, 2014 @ 9:46 am
That is beautiful! How do you get the picot cast off to look so pretty? Do you use a thinner needle?
Comment by Liisa — April 27, 2014 @ 1:57 pm
That is staggeringly beautiful!
Comment by Carolyn — April 27, 2014 @ 2:22 pm
I’d liked Hitofude. Thought it had potential, someday. But this? Just became a must knit! I even think I have some yarn!
Comment by DMartin — April 28, 2014 @ 2:32 pm
Wow, gorgeous! I’m a fan off Boo knits too. Would definitely buy the pattern if it was available.
Comment by Karen — April 29, 2014 @ 9:37 pm
Exquisite! I’m going to make the original Hitotude then want to make your Sweet-o-fude. Any other notes you can offer?
Comment by donna — May 5, 2014 @ 2:28 pm
Niiice! I see that I’m completely late to the party, but it’s beautiful! And you’re brilliant!
Comment by Lisle — May 6, 2014 @ 4:05 pm
Wow! This is beautiful!
Comment by Eva — May 6, 2014 @ 6:02 pm
So gorgeous.
Comment by twinsetellen — May 6, 2014 @ 10:54 pm
I’m not as talented as you (just yet ) so, are you going to share how you made this shawl into hitofude with an actual pattern for us to follow? It’s simply glorious.
Comment by Dianne Lewandowski — September 26, 2016 @ 5:35 pm