Synergy

(This word reminds me: does anyone remember the cartoon Jem? She was a big-pink-haired rock star who had some sort of Borg-like relationship with her earrings. I used to have the choose your own adventure Jem books.)

Remember the Biggest. Swatch. Ever. where I swatched a cable pattern that turned out to have the wrong aspect ratio? I wanted something more diamond shaped? Then remember I got 3/4 of the way through the Gathered Pullover, and decided I didn't like that cable right at the bust? That diamond shaped cable?

Well:


Synergy Cardigan
Yarn: Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK, 6 balls, from the closing sale at The Wool Shop in Bray
Needles: 3.00mm Addi Turbos
Pattern: my own

Notes: Normally, I think short-sleeved wool sweaters are pretty pointless. But, um, I ran out of yarn. These little puffy sleeves, though, are so cute, so sweet, so...just perfect for this shape.

Things I love about this project:

1. the cable provides all the shaping: love that cable; it's genius and perfect for this
   
2. the attached i-cord finishing at the neckline: first time I've done this, and I think I'll be using this finishing technique much more
   
3. those buttons! (found at Soton John Lewis)
4. the sleeves: first time I tried puffy sleeves; had no idea how they would turn out until I actually sewed them on. Whew.
   
5. the yarn: it is so sad that it's discontinued. I used its ersatz replacement by Rowan, Pure Wool, and it is nowhere near as soft, springy and nice to wear or work with

Things I didn't so much like about this project:

1. I made a mistake with the short row shaping at the bust: for future reference, put them right next to each other, right at the side seam. Otherwise, it looks way obvious and totally like you've made a mistake (see below)
   
2. my knitting has recently been getting horribly, horribly uneven. I'm rowing out like it's going out of style. In this next picture, you can see it everywhere, on the body, on the sleeves, everywhere

Still, I'm really pleased with how this cardigan turned out. I think I'll be wearing it a lot. All the edges except the neckline are hemmed. For the button bands, I basically picked up stitches and made two hems. It works really well, and I think gives a good finish, a bit more refined than ribbing or garter bands.