I'm kinda embarrassed. I really am. I think it's because I sometimes like to fly under the radar and don't like people to know all of my business. I like the element of privacy or just perhaps aloofness? I don't like being so predictable. And yet I am a creature of habit and comfort. When it comes to knitting I usually am a Open Book, I'll tell you ALL about it and let you examine everything. This time, well I'm just a little shy to admit how this beautiful sweater came to be.
In my grand defense I have just finished a wonderful and seemingly long Spring Break. I had a little over 10 days off and had originally scheduled those days as the "painting, cleaning, packing, moving around" days. Well, it seemed that mortgage companies don't go by any other schedule but their own and am still waiting for the final word. (homebuyers out there - ya feeling me on this craziness?) So I went to Plan B and did the next best thing - I knitted.
I have been loving all the long coated cardigans I've seen lately and decided to design one for myself. I have been feeling the desire to design a sweater for a while now but have been a little too busy to really get it going. Hats and scarves seemed so much easier to try and create - sweaters just intimidated me. I did this one in a super easy peasy - no shaping - way and I am so thrilled with the result.
I have always loved the Arrowhead Pullover pattern ever since I saw it on Eunny's blog a few years ago (can you believe I am saying years ago? Dudes, it was in 06!) and decided to incorporate that stitch pattern into the design of my cardigan.
Arrowhead is one of those deceivingly hard looking but ridiculously easy stitch patterns. It really opened up after blocking, too.
Being that it was a summer sweater I naturally went for the summery yarn. Cottons and I have a weird love/like relationship. I love the end result but sometimes I just don't like knitting with it. It doesn't have any of the spring a wool does. You can't "flow" with it and knitting takes that extra little oomph... well, I hadn't met Blue Sky Skinny Cotton yet. I think that's pretty much all I want to knit with all summer long. Skinny Cotton cardigans, pullovers, throw pillows... you name it. Not to mention the array of colors are beautiful!
Pattern: My own
Yarn: Blue Sky Skinny Cotton, 6 balls
Needles: Addi Turbos, US7s
That little knit funk I was in? Gone now. Thanks to this lovely frock and have you seen Que Sera? Hello, beautiful.
So what's the big deal you ask? Why so embarrassed?? Well, um, what would you say if I told you I casted-on on a Friday and it finished blocking on a Wednesday?
Yeeeaaaa, I kno.
GOR-geous!!!!!
And THAT'S the first sweater you designed?? Amazing...really!
Posted by: Jen | April 12, 2010 at 06:43 PM
Yes!! Looks amazing...almost enough to get me back on the needles. ;) Design more please!!
Posted by: Dana | April 12, 2010 at 06:48 PM
Dude! This is amazing! I love everything about it! xo-S.
Posted by: Nonnahs | April 12, 2010 at 06:51 PM
IT'S GORGEOUS! I love it, and i want the pattern! 4 more weeks of classes and im hoping to be back at PY Tuesday Knit Nights.
Posted by: babette | April 12, 2010 at 06:55 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Cynthia | April 12, 2010 at 07:06 PM
Really stunning! I love the shape and the pattern. I can see you getting so much wear out of this.
Posted by: Kara | April 12, 2010 at 07:24 PM
Great fit! I love it! I feel exactly the same about cotton. Cotton is the reason I didn't stick with knitting as a teen.
I love Que Sera too! I am definitely going to be knitting that very soon!
Posted by: Kelly | April 12, 2010 at 07:30 PM
this is so beautiful.
Posted by: Whitney | April 12, 2010 at 07:40 PM
Your sweater is awesome!!! Great color, and I'm not one bit surprised that it took you like 2 hours to knit- you're pro! Are you moving to Bergen County?
Posted by: Illanna | April 12, 2010 at 07:41 PM
I TOTALLY want to knit this! Get to writing that pattern. Okay? Good. It's beautiful and looks like the perfect summery cardigan!
Posted by: Beverly | April 12, 2010 at 08:12 PM
I love this new trend in short sleeved cardigans. I love when a thing doesn't have any sleeves. Looks great!
Posted by: Denise | April 12, 2010 at 08:35 PM
This is beautiful! The drape is amazing!
Posted by: grumperina | April 12, 2010 at 08:43 PM
You should be ashame, indeed, for knitting such a beauty ;-) Amazing! Love Que Sera too...
Posted by: Maryse | April 12, 2010 at 09:25 PM
Love it, especially the stockinette around the collar - wow!
Posted by: Kate | April 12, 2010 at 11:16 PM
Totally, totally gorgeous!! I don't like knitting sweaters or lace and I still really want to knit this one!
Posted by: caitlyn | April 12, 2010 at 11:34 PM
This is beautiful! I love the color and it has a very nice summer look.
Posted by: Chelsea | April 13, 2010 at 12:07 AM
Absolutely gorgeous. And nothing to be embarrassed of. ;-) You're one fast knitter
Posted by: Siga | April 13, 2010 at 03:11 AM
Love everything about it - the long length, the colour, the rolling edge, the lace and the cap sleeve!
Posted by: erin | April 13, 2010 at 07:42 AM
that is beautiful - congratulations! are you going to write us all a pattern so we can make one too?
Posted by: Lauren | April 13, 2010 at 08:04 AM
It's 100% lovely! Nicely done.
Posted by: Amy | April 13, 2010 at 08:24 AM
Wow, that is one gorgeous sweater. I am inspired!
Posted by: Ashley | April 13, 2010 at 09:07 AM
This is beautiful. Really nice!
Posted by: Erin | April 13, 2010 at 09:28 AM
Aboslutely stunning!!!! I love everything about it. Perfect for spring/summer. Are you going to write up the pattern? I really need a redic cute summer cardi :)
Posted by: Brenna | April 13, 2010 at 09:33 AM
You guys are making be blush!! Pattern is in the works! Keep a blog watch :-)
Posted by: tentenknits | April 13, 2010 at 09:36 AM
Absolutely love your new sweater! Congrats on the design, I know a lot of people (including me!) would love to knit it- looks like the perfect layering piece.
Posted by: Julie | April 13, 2010 at 09:55 AM