Oliviaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh

I finally finished my Olivia (rav link) cardigan that I started a year ago. I had started it, got distracted (as I always do) and finally remember this past December to pick it back up. I pretty much kept w/ the directions until the sleeves. They were supposed to be more of a blousson style and I really didn't need the extra fabric.



So, I did my first major pattern modification and changed the sleeves. Every time the pattern called for a decrease on each end, I increased on each end. I took the end number of stitches for the base of the armhole and subtracted the number of increased stitches to get my cast on at the cuff. I cast on for the cuff at the beginning (which was to be added at the end) and did a matching seed stitch pattern w/ the border. I knit the cuff the same length as the cuff in the pattern and then switched to stockinette. It ended up being a very nice, tailored sleeve! I really didn't know if it was going to work since I didn't measure a thing and I am terrible at math modification and reading patterns. I don't have a great picture of the sleeve, but you can see how the cuff and bottom of the sleeve look in the picture below.



And did you notice the pocket???? That's right, the sweater has POCKETS. I've never done them before and was a little perplexed at the beginning, but once Jenna demonstrated it for me at Rosie's, I was set. They are so cute.

The pattern is from Kim Hargraeves' book, Thrown Together. It was a total impulse buy and I had to start the cardigan immediately. Of course, we now know what happened to that motivation. The sweater is knit in Rowan Felted Tweed in the treacle colorway.

I had a hard time picking out the buttons and went w/ the toggles. They do look great on the sweater, but after a day of wear, I don't think they were the right choice. I don't know how to describe it. In still life, however, they look great!



Thanks so much to Andrea for taking these pictures of me Wednesday night. My batteries died and there she was w/ her most awesome camera. We had fun trying to strike the right pose.