What’s next…
For the past however long, I’ve been working on stealth knitting and haven’t been able to show you even a stitch of it. You’ve been very patient, really you have. I know how you all lie awake at night, wondering, “What is she knitting? Is she getting gauge? Will it fit?” Pressing questions, indeed.
No, that doesn’t mean I’m going to show you the stealth knitting. It’s still a secret. But now it’s a finished, tucked away secret. Let’s just forget about it and let it be a pleasant surprise when it does hit the light of day, agreed?
Which brings us to what’s next.
I’ve designed a little cardigan for myself, something I very much want to own and wear. And I’ll be writing up the pattern for sale in case there are others out there who want to knit, own, and wear it. But no stealthiness with this one! I’ll be blogging it, beginning to end. (Ooh! Exciting!) Things have a way of changing as they go from sketch to garment. I’m looking forward to working through this one out in the open. Though this means you’ll all see exactly how slowly I knit these days. Don’t expect a sweater in a week around here.
So…we begin with a sketch:
And a plan:
Close-fitting cardigan with 3/4 sleeves, seed st turned back cuffs.
Seed st shawl collar and hem/edgings.
Empire waist, closed by seed st belt, held by thin belt loops at side seams.
Body worked in stockinette.
Knit flat in one piece, bottom up. Raglan shaping
Knit Picks Shine Sport in Cream
The thinking:
I want a lightweight cardi for fall, something simple to wear over a t-shirt. I like the look of 3/4 sleeves and think they make best sense on a cotton sweater intended for not-so-cold days.
I’ve got a large bust and a rectangular torso. Because of this, I never wear cardigans buttoned all the way down to the hem. It’s just not flattering on me. I only ever close three or four buttons along the bust. And I look good in an empire waist shape. Therefore…a narrow belt just below the bustline. I may sew in a couple of hook and eyes to hold it closed at the bust. What do you think?
That’s where I’m starting with this one. I’ll hopefully be swatching tonight and will get underway soon.
Actual knitting content at Dogs Steal Yarn! Can you believe it?
Oh–and I have no idea what to call this sweater. Start thinking of names. When it’s done we’ll have a little contest to name it.
I like the shaping on that. The belted empire waste is a good style for a lot of people (I am the opposite of you–small chest and bigger hips–and that style suits me too).
Posted by: Amanda
Think its gorgeous.
Posted by: Juno
I like the shaping on that. The belted empire waste is a good style for a lot of people (I am the opposite of you–small chest and bigger hips–and that style suits me too).
Posted by: Amanda
Think its gorgeous.
Posted by: Juno
Ohhhh… First thought: “The Cari Cardi” but that’s just too, well, cute.
Love the sweater design – it’s very classy.
Posted by: Steph VW
I am excited to see your design process and it is going to be fun following along!
Posted by: marti
How about “Josephine” for the Empire waist?
Posted by: Savida
Very cute sketch! I’m looking forward to seeing how it comes together 🙂
Congrats on finishing your stealth knitting, BTW. It will be fun to finally see it!
Posted by: Kristy
Oh, I think it’s very pretty. Empire waisted stuff is so flattering on many figures.
Posted by: Emily
Ooh, very cute. I think that’s the kind of sweater that would flatter almost any figure.
(side note though, I personally don’t feel that hooks and knitting go together very well, it’s just asking for a snag)
Posted by: Jayme
I am all over that sweater! Great design ideas. Plus it’s knit in one piece so no seaming! Perfecto.
Posted by: Kim
Looks great — I can’t wait to watch the progress!
Posted by: Melissa
Even though I am one of the maybe two people in the world on whom an empire waist does not look good (I am five feet tall and shortwaisted, and anything that remotely resembles the “babydoll” look makes me look like a Cabbage Patch Kid), I still love to look at them. This one’s beeyootiful!
Posted by: Lee Ann
Looks lovely! Can’t wait to watch it take shape.
Posted by: Sarah
Ooh, that looks great! I love empire waists, and I love shawl collars, and the turned-back cuffs are fantastic. Can’t wait to watch the process (and buy the pattern). No thoughts on a name just now though…
Posted by: J Strizzy
Ohhhh… First thought: “The Cari Cardi” but that’s just too, well, cute.
Love the sweater design – it’s very classy.
Posted by: Steph VW
I am excited to see your design process and it is going to be fun following along!
Posted by: marti
How about “Josephine” for the Empire waist?
Posted by: Savida
Very cute sketch! I’m looking forward to seeing how it comes together 🙂
Congrats on finishing your stealth knitting, BTW. It will be fun to finally see it!
Posted by: Kristy
Oh, I think it’s very pretty. Empire waisted stuff is so flattering on many figures.
Posted by: Emily
Ooh, very cute. I think that’s the kind of sweater that would flatter almost any figure.
(side note though, I personally don’t feel that hooks and knitting go together very well, it’s just asking for a snag)
Posted by: Jayme
I am all over that sweater! Great design ideas. Plus it’s knit in one piece so no seaming! Perfecto.
Posted by: Kim
Looks great — I can’t wait to watch the progress!
Posted by: Melissa
Even though I am one of the maybe two people in the world on whom an empire waist does not look good (I am five feet tall and shortwaisted, and anything that remotely resembles the “babydoll” look makes me look like a Cabbage Patch Kid), I still love to look at them. This one’s beeyootiful!
Posted by: Lee Ann
Looks lovely! Can’t wait to watch it take shape.
Posted by: Sarah
Ooh, that looks great! I love empire waists, and I love shawl collars, and the turned-back cuffs are fantastic. Can’t wait to watch the process (and buy the pattern). No thoughts on a name just now though…
Posted by: J Strizzy
The sketch looks great, I can’t wait to see the steps to the finished knitting!
Posted by: Jaime
“Smitty” after Princess Ann in Roman Holiday.
Posted by: tiggs
Can’t wait to follow along with this. Sounds like a pattern I may purchase when it’s complete.
Posted by: Tara
Love that sketch! Look at you, Miss Multi-talented! I think this is a gorgeous garment and cannot wait for the pattern. Love the turn up cuffs!
Posted by: KT
I have a large bust and a rectangular torso, long arms (hence sleeves are alwas too short so I prefer 3/4s), love shawl collars and seamless designs. How can I thank you for reading my mind???
I can´t wait to knit that!!!
Posted by: Rippedoffknitter
I’m anxious to see the sweater grow and develop. I think a definite yes to hook & eye closures at the bust if the goal is for it to stay closed. Or a knit frog?
Posted by: Toni K.
I’m anxious to see the sweater grow and develop. I think a definite yes to hook & eye closures at the bust if the goal is for it to stay closed. Or a knit frog?
Posted by: Toni K.
I’m not that fond of human names for garments (although I do have a special place in my heart for “Ariann”). How about the “Just Enough Cardigan”–for just enough to wear over a t-shirt in the not-quite-cool fall weather?
Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)
A. – The sweater looks wonderful, very chic.
B. I love the photos of the puppies. Italian Greyhounds or Whippets? (I have a rescue Greyhound myself)
Posted by: Jamie
I like it! Very Audrey (as in Hepburn)
Posted by: Paddy
OK, so what about naming it the “Juliet”????
That or Ballet Cardigan?
BTW, I LOVE the look of the sketch.
Posted by: knittingnurse
HOw about “Empire Strikes Back” Cardi? muh-haha!
Looks beautiful!
Posted by: colleen
The sketch looks great, I can’t wait to see the steps to the finished knitting!
Posted by: Jaime
“Smitty” after Princess Ann in Roman Holiday.
Posted by: tiggs
Can’t wait to follow along with this. Sounds like a pattern I may purchase when it’s complete.
Posted by: Tara
Love that sketch! Look at you, Miss Multi-talented! I think this is a gorgeous garment and cannot wait for the pattern. Love the turn up cuffs!
Posted by: KT
I have a large bust and a rectangular torso, long arms (hence sleeves are alwas too short so I prefer 3/4s), love shawl collars and seamless designs. How can I thank you for reading my mind???
I can´t wait to knit that!!!
Posted by: Rippedoffknitter
I’m anxious to see the sweater grow and develop. I think a definite yes to hook & eye closures at the bust if the goal is for it to stay closed. Or a knit frog?
Posted by: Toni K.
I’m anxious to see the sweater grow and develop. I think a definite yes to hook & eye closures at the bust if the goal is for it to stay closed. Or a knit frog?
Posted by: Toni K.
I’m not that fond of human names for garments (although I do have a special place in my heart for “Ariann”). How about the “Just Enough Cardigan”–for just enough to wear over a t-shirt in the not-quite-cool fall weather?
Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)
A. – The sweater looks wonderful, very chic.
B. I love the photos of the puppies. Italian Greyhounds or Whippets? (I have a rescue Greyhound myself)
Posted by: Jamie
I like it! Very Audrey (as in Hepburn)
Posted by: Paddy
OK, so what about naming it the “Juliet”????
That or Ballet Cardigan?
BTW, I LOVE the look of the sketch.
Posted by: knittingnurse
HOw about “Empire Strikes Back” Cardi? muh-haha!
Looks beautiful!
Posted by: colleen
Nice design! I’ll be following your process closely since I have a few designs bouncing around my brain as well.
When I saw the sketch before reading the description, I thought the trim was lace (I didn’t look very closely, obviously). Then Toni K. mentioned using a frog closure. I think that combo would be pretty, maybe for a dressier sweater. hmm…
Posted by: Heather T
I love it. But … cream? Really?
Can I have one too?
Posted by: Cassie
Cute, cute, cute! 🙂
Posted by: Katinka
I definitely like the look of that.
I’d knit it 😉
Posted by: Jen
gorgeous Cari, looking forward to the progress shots.
Posted by: kellie
How bout “Luna’s Empire” ??
Posted by: john
Wow! How lovely! Can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Posted by: Anna
Empire waist – check.
3/4 sleeve – check.
raglans shaping – check.
no seaming – check.
seed stitch – well… ok (love the look, hate doing it).
Yup – you hit all the good points for me. sign me up!
How about “State”? As in Empire State, since this may be the last thing you design while living in NY?
Posted by: Sandra
Love the sketch. Surprised you want it in cream!
I like Sandra’s idea — maybe the Empire State Cardigan.
Posted by: alison
I love that cardigan and can’t wait to make one of my own when the pattern is ready to go!
Posted by: Mandy
You might want to put some short row shaping at the bust, or at least increase just below the bust or else the cute little belt will be trying to hold back a LOT of fabric. Enough fabric to cover your boobs, to be exact 😉
so either increasing to make a sack for your breasts, or short rows to cover them up would be a good plan… or some combination of the two.
Also, I would suggest lining the belt with grosgrain ribbon so it doesn’t stretch out when it is tied.
Posted by: Miriam
Nice design! I’ll be following your process closely since I have a few designs bouncing around my brain as well.
When I saw the sketch before reading the description, I thought the trim was lace (I didn’t look very closely, obviously). Then Toni K. mentioned using a frog closure. I think that combo would be pretty, maybe for a dressier sweater. hmm…
Posted by: Heather T
I love it. But … cream? Really?
Can I have one too?
Posted by: Cassie
Cute, cute, cute! 🙂
Posted by: Katinka
I definitely like the look of that.
I’d knit it 😉
Posted by: Jen
gorgeous Cari, looking forward to the progress shots.
Posted by: kellie
How bout “Luna’s Empire” ??
Posted by: john
Wow! How lovely! Can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Posted by: Anna
Empire waist – check.
3/4 sleeve – check.
raglans shaping – check.
no seaming – check.
seed stitch – well… ok (love the look, hate doing it).
Yup – you hit all the good points for me. sign me up!
How about “State”? As in Empire State, since this may be the last thing you design while living in NY?
Posted by: Sandra
Love the sketch. Surprised you want it in cream!
I like Sandra’s idea — maybe the Empire State Cardigan.
Posted by: alison
I love that cardigan and can’t wait to make one of my own when the pattern is ready to go!
Posted by: Mandy
You might want to put some short row shaping at the bust, or at least increase just below the bust or else the cute little belt will be trying to hold back a LOT of fabric. Enough fabric to cover your boobs, to be exact 😉
so either increasing to make a sack for your breasts, or short rows to cover them up would be a good plan… or some combination of the two.
Also, I would suggest lining the belt with grosgrain ribbon so it doesn’t stretch out when it is tied.
Posted by: Miriam
Oooh! I can’t wait to see your cardigan take shape. I could use something like that myself. I am into patterns that require as little seaming as possible so if it is knit in one piece that could be a good thing for me.
Posted by: Knittripps
Like it! How about naming it’Portland’,in the hope that you’ll get to wear it there one of these days?
Posted by: Eve
I would so wear that! Can’t wait to buy the pattern ; )
Posted by: kniternet
I like “Juliette” too. Of course I am partial like that.
Posted by: Juliette
Count me in as well
Posted by: Heidi
My daughter wants me to make the sweater for her. (She’s 12, she wants everything)
Posted by: kelly
It is so clearly wanting to be called Hey Lucy that it told me so the moment i clicked on your post.
it’s very uber-modern Lucy retro, don’t you think? 🙂
Posted by: amyknitty
Ooh, very pretty design! I can’t wait to see how it knits up – definitely one I would consider buying!!!
Posted by: Emily
I have been a lurker for quite a while now and I just finally had to comment – that sweater will be lovely! I can totally see it – I can assure you I will be eagerly waiting in line to get my copy of the pattern.
Posted by: Sarah
Fascinating! I recently did the exact same thing, only with a knitted bathingsuit.
Posted by: staceyjoy
Oooh! I can’t wait to see your cardigan take shape. I could use something like that myself. I am into patterns that require as little seaming as possible so if it is knit in one piece that could be a good thing for me.
Posted by: Knittripps
Like it! How about naming it’Portland’,in the hope that you’ll get to wear it there one of these days?
Posted by: Eve
I would so wear that! Can’t wait to buy the pattern ; )
Posted by: kniternet
I like “Juliette” too. Of course I am partial like that.
Posted by: Juliette
Count me in as well
Posted by: Heidi
My daughter wants me to make the sweater for her. (She’s 12, she wants everything)
Posted by: kelly
It is so clearly wanting to be called Hey Lucy that it told me so the moment i clicked on your post.
it’s very uber-modern Lucy retro, don’t you think? 🙂
Posted by: amyknitty
Ooh, very pretty design! I can’t wait to see how it knits up – definitely one I would consider buying!!!
Posted by: Emily
I have been a lurker for quite a while now and I just finally had to comment – that sweater will be lovely! I can totally see it – I can assure you I will be eagerly waiting in line to get my copy of the pattern.
Posted by: Sarah
Fascinating! I recently did the exact same thing, only with a knitted bathingsuit.
Posted by: staceyjoy