To start off a new year, here is an all-seasons cardigan knit in Cascade Roslyn. A lovely light yarn with extremely generous yardage. Can you believe it only took me 2.4 balls of yarn to knit the sample below?
Click over to the pattern page, if you would like to knit one. It’s 30% off until January 10, 2017.
I first designed Shade Garden to fill a void in my summer clothing: It was meant to be a light cardigan to wear in the cool summer evenings over sundresses, after a hot day, or when sitting in the shade. From the first day after winter that it is warm enough to hold needles, I knit outside in my humble garden and continue to knit there for all the months until the temperatures fall close to freezing. Because my garden is in old Galt part of Cambridge, the trees are ancient and tall, and I do my best with what horticulturalists call a “Shade Garden.” Galt was originally settled by William Dickson and Absalom Shade. Shade Garden seemed to be the perfect double-entendre for this garment – a garment that is comfortable all year round.
What is interesting about this sweater:
1. The bottom edge is a folded hem with garter edging… nice and elastic yet finished
2. The empire waistline is demarcated by a rigid rattan stitch row that curves gently upward at the centre-front.
3. The neckline is softened by the edges curling inwards around the neck
4. The armhole is a nice compromise between drop-shoulder and a set-in sleeve. (Some day I will upload a photo of all the algebra I completed to grade that “innovative” armhole for all the sizes…. right now it’s too soon. I don’t want to see it again for awhile 😉
5. This pattern pulls together knitting, crochet, and sewing. Somehow I can never resist a good fusion. Remember Elora Lace-up? Reminds me of how I think of Canada – taking a little bit from every background and making something better than the sum of the parts 🙂 (Don’t worry, I won’t say “Synergy”. I’ve been an engineer too long to be able to stomach that word.)
Don’t worry though – if knitting or crocheting or sewing are intimidating to you, as always there will be plenty of photo instructions in the pattern, and when all else fails – you can always email me!
