The “Circumnavigated Cardigan Project”

Ample-Knitters List, March, 2000

Many members of the Ample-Knitters list are knitting Medrith Glover's Circumnavigated Cardigan in a group knit-along that “officially” began March 1, 2000. This is a list of participants working on the project and their plans and progress. If you want to be included, want to add more information or a progress report to your listing, or if you see a problem with your information, please contact the ample-knitters listowner, Shelda Eggers and I'll get it fixed!

If you'd like more information on the cardigan, you can also view a line-drawing and/or photographs of the Circumnavigated Cardigan (with ample-knitters listowner Shelda Eggers wearing it).

List member Pat Kirtland, owner of the Yarn Barn, did some interesting things with her sweater, and has put details on her website, including notes on making a set-in sleeve for this sweater.

The Circumnavigated Cardigan pattern was published in Knitter's #10, which is long out of print, but the designer, Medrith Glover, has kept the pattern available. You can order directly from Medrith at her shop, The Woolroom. Most of Medrith's patterns designed are for, or adaptable to, large sizes. If you order the Circumnavigated Cardigan pattern, be sure and also order Unlace and Hot Flash, which includes another version of the sweater and additional directions for the rate of sleeve decreases for larger sizes.

Participants
(in alphabetical order by first name)

Name

Location

Yarn, Notes, Special Plans, Etc.

Alice Dodd

Springfield MO

Yarn: Using Brown Sheep Nature Spun in Natural color.

I'm going to make this cardigan (my 2nd) with the unlaced design. Also, I'm planning on not adding so many pocket stitches so the pockets won't be quite so deep.

I absolutely love my first CNC. I used denim blue Woolease. It's been years since I've had a cardigan I really liked, that fit well & looked good. I just finished a pair of socks to match so I'm looking pretty coordinated!

I've never seen a pattern that was so long but Medrith certainly made a believer out of me. I did exactly what she said at each step and it worked. I stayed up half the night when I was fusing the pockets because I was having so much fun.

Amy Rodgers

Ottawa, IL

Yarn you're using: Patons Canadiana Tweeds in Red 96% Acrylic, 4% Viscose

I will follow the pattern as written; my biggest challenge will be keeping up with the knitters working with bulky or chunky yarn. My swatch on size 8 needles was 5 sts per inch and 6 rows per inch and I haven't started the CNC yet.

Anita Hay

Sacramento CA

I am going to be using Bernat Illusion in a lovely tweedy hunter, burgandy and navy color. All three are dark, and the transition between the colors very rapid, around 1.5", so the space dyed yarn should not be a problem.

I plan to follow the original pattern, but I'm only 5 feet tall, so will be shortening at least the sleeves. I like longish cardigans - no lines at the hip for me - so the length will probably be fine.

I'd be willing to meet with other CNC'rs in the Sacramento area. To chat, for coffee, to compare progress. Just to become friends.

Anita Turner

Santa Fe, NM

Yarn: WoolEast Blue Mist

I'm adding the shawl collar. I'm also doing the bands (bottom and front) in seed stitch, and really like the look I'm getting with that.

I'm on the first sleeve now, and have gotten slowed down on it, but I'm really close to finishing. Great pattern - I'm already planning ahead to what yarn I plan to use on my next one!!!

Anne Stoddard

East Northport,LI,NY

I swatched for my CNC last night after getting the pattern from a very helpful and friendly Medrith yesterday..... I am using Bouquet Emerald “Irish Knit” (what else for me :-)) in a lovely grey heathery wool...... WOW I got exactly 3.5 sts = 1”..... I am so pleased because I hate doing swatches and math..... that is the ONLY part of knitting that I don't like....I do it because I insist that my students do it so I am stuck [do what I do not just what I say :-)] Anyway, now I can just follow Medrith's math and know that it will be right.

Am starting the CNC today while babysitting for my little 3 mo. old grandaughter.... this is a present to myself after finishing 3 UFO's this month and one Christmas present for 2000. Usually I am finishing one of last years presents at this time :-)

Avis

not available

Avis is a spinner/knitter and is getting close to starting her knitting in May. She writes:

I have spun 1700 yds of a teal(y) blue wool, that is so soft and smooth it feels like cotton. I swatched and found that it works up on a #8 needle to 5 st/inch, and 7 rows/inch, so now I need to do the math.

I do plan to change the pockets to more of a wallaby type, with the opening slanted and nearer the front, and prolly raised higher, as the sweater will have to be longer to accommodate my height, and must not stop till it reaches below my crotch. You know how the catalogs show all the sweaters and jackets falling so fashionably below crotch level on all the models... well, in order to get that length I'd have to be six inches shorter.

That's as far as I've got, but my calculator brain friend is coming to spin today, so I'll input my numbers and she will give me my final figures. It's so much more fun to do it that way, she's faster than a calculator. And I will discover if I need to spin more of that wool to finish the sweater.

Hmmmmm, that's all my details so far. I don't really know what breed the wool came from, it was beautifully dyed top that I bought, described only as good for outerwear, though I find it very soft and wouldn't hesitate to make a next to skin garment from it.

B. J. Licko-Keel

Calumet City, IL

Well, I wasn't going to do it just now, but . . .

The pattern came in the mail, and I couldn't put it down until I had digested all of the details . . .

A box of yarn came from Webs (Dive' Tudor in shades of gray), and I had to swatch it to see what it would do . . .

Now I had gauge information . . .

The next thing I knew, I was crocheting away on a lo-o-o-ong chain!

If four completed rows is any kind of commitment, please count me in for the finish, and send me good invocations about having enough yarn (1,740 yards total) to get through to the end. (It's a good thing that I'm on the short side--just a tad over 5'2".)

I look forward to trying to keep up with the rest of you.

Barbara

Seattle WA

Yarn you're using:1 strand Lamb's Pride worsted (Sapphire) and and 1 strand Red Heart (Jewel)

I'm toying with doing the shawl collar

This will be the first time in a looooong time I've knit with an all-acrylic strand. I was searching for somthing to add to the Lamb's Pride (my favorite brand to knit with!) to bulk it up a little and everything I was coming up with was, to my mind, way too expensive. When I ran across this Red Heart with its vibrant colors and great sheen I climbed down off my acrylic-no-way-never high horse and bought it! The swatches are dynamite! This cardigan is going to be a whole lot more colorful than anything I've done before and I decided that with a 61” circumference if nothing else this sweater will have WOW! power!

Barbara

not available

Yarn: Bartletts 3ply in Oatmeal

I'm going to make a shawl collar and make it long like a jacket.

I'm expecting the wool to arrive 3/9/00 and I'll cast on that night. I had thought I'd be using Berrocco Cotton 100 but then I got scared that I didn't have enough yarn so I decided to order this wool--2900 yards--more than enough I'm sure. I'll be making it 58” around.

I have about three or four other projects going--including a DP sweater I'd really like to wear this summer so I don't know how much time this sweater will get right away--but I want to at least start with the group.

I keep reading the pattern over and over, trying to get it all straight in my head before I begin.

I enjoy hearing about everyone's progress (and reasons for not progressing)!

Barbara Burns

Ontario, Canada

Yarn: Bernat Aspen Neps (acrylic - worsted weight)

Just following the pattern this time - it is my first time doing this sweater.

Barbara Cobean

Gig Harbor, Washington

I am using Harrisville 100% wool Highland style worsted weight-black with little dots of colors 4 stitches to the inch on #9.

As this is my first CNC I am not doing anything special. Just following directions . I have made the aran one step at a time and love Medrith's creative mind.

Barbara Kornbluth

California

Yarn: Homespun

Update: I've gotten started, barely, and just haven't had time to work on it. I am planning on picking it up again in the near future.

Beth Shapiro

Woodridge, NY

Betsey Bailey

Coast of Maine

I hope to start a CNC BUT( & I do mean BUT!): I've sent for pattern & hope it will arrive soon AND I plan on spinning my yarn....I will probably do a trial run CNC as I spin as I'm into the heavy part of the school year (for teachers, that is!). I'm feeling slightly terrorized but curious as I read all of the postings.

Betsey Hoyt

Evansville, Indiana

Yarn: Sirdar “Denim Chunky,” 60% acrylic, 25% cotton, 15% wool. The ballband calls for US#10 needle and a gauge of 3.5 st/inch, but I am using a size 8US needle and have a gauge of 4 st/inch because I prefer a firmer fabric. The yarn is a twist of light and dark denim blue. It's busy enough that I decided there was no point in adding any stitch pattern.

I'm doing a 58” chest and will probably do short rows for bust darts. I may add the shawl collar.

Bev Heitke

Wisconsin

I finally got my yarn for my cnc and I have started to cast on. I am using a bulky tweed blue wool yarn by Tahiti. I am slow so I decided to get a head start. (2/2/00)

Brenda

Iowa

I'm using Cotton Fleece in Dark Blue-the name is “Wolverine Blue”

My finished measurement should be 56”. I have omitted the pockets and want to knit from the waistline and the elbows down in Mistake Stitch Rib. (K1, P1 across the right side and Purl across the wrong side. My gauge is 5.25 sts. per inch. Since I'm omitting the pockets, I'm working the short rows across the fronts between the first V-neckline decrease and the “pits.”

This is my second CNC. The first one was made in a yucky, greasy wool from my stash that I just used to “road test” the pattern. I've been in a rut making drop shoulder sweaters and am really please to find a seamless design that is fitted through the sleeve/shoulder area.

I've been a subscriber to the Ample List for just over a year now, and I really enjoy sharing my interest in knitting and my special concerns as an ample with such a friendly, supportive and knowledgeable group!

Hints:

I think the sweater is actually very easy, with the raglan/saddle shaping being the only “tricky” part.

Based on my own experience, I would just remind you to start your neckline shaping at the same time you cast on the stitches for the sleeves. I was so busy establishing the raglan lines and making sure the decrease lines were going right that I forgot the neckline decreases. I didn't notice I had messed them up until I had all the raglan/saddle decreasing done and the button band on. I must admit that I didn't have the heart to rip it out and am just going to weave the top two button holes shut and fake it.

I did my CNC without the “funky chain thing” and am happy with it. In the directions, Medrith sez that the purpose of the chain is to hide a possible variation in your knitting when you change from knitting from the bottom up on the body to from the top down on the sleeve. When I look at mine, I can't really see where I changed direction.

I do agree with those who have suggested that you add less than the recommended 4” of ease in the sleeve. Mine are fuller than I would like at the bottom above the cuff. It doesn't bother me enough that I want to frog them, but I did annotate on my copy of the pattern than next time I'm either going to add less ease or change the rate of decreases down the sleeve. All in all, I'm very happy with this pattern though, and do intend to knit it again, with a few “tweaks” to fine tune it to this ample bod!

Carol A. Cotner

DeSoto MO

Carol is choosing her yarn, so she'll be getting started soon. She says: I'll probably be yelling a lot for HELP! but as I can see, there are plenty of wonderful knitters on the list more than willing to give free and GOOD advice.

Carol Hurt

Fenton (St. Louis) MO

Yarn: Missoni Caracas in bright blue with variegated ribbon binder. (Thanks Nancy Walpole for replacing mine :)

Since this is my first CNC - will just go by Medrith's pattern. Using size 9 needle - 4 sts to the inch (At least I got my swatch done:) !!!!!

Thanks to Shelda for pitching in when I had to "back out" because of the fire. I think this will be FUN getting to know each other better - and knowing we are all in this together!

Carol Myers

Marysville, OH

Carol is nearly finished with her sweater, from her own homespun worsted weight wool.

She writes: I eliminated the pockets and added the unlace panels up the fronts. On the bottom I added an alternating rib and lace panel four inches wide. I didn't want it to pull in.

I am nearly finished with my sweater since I started it before this group was formed. My yarn is a heathered champagne color (natural color). The wool came from a Romney sheep named Kassandra so that's what I'm calling my sweater. Since I had it I went ahead and spun up nearly the whole fleece - three and a half pounds, 2700 yards of two ply yarn. I have half of the second sleeve to knit and I'm finished. I will have enough yarn left to knit another sweater. When I'm done I'll figure exactly how many yards I used. My sweater is 60 in. The trickiest part for me was getting the sleeves started. I hate picking up stitches. The sweater fits well and was fun to knit. The next time I do it (and I will) I will make it longer and add the pockets. Oh yes, I did do the short rowing in the back which is a very good idea. Anyone is welcome to email me for help or further information.

Carol Perecman

Oak Park, Michigan

I am using Austermann Shetland, and will cast on 333 stitches. Betsey Hoyt helped me try to figure my gauge, as it was so hard to see it with my yarn; it's two different-colored yarns plied together, and the devil to count stitches and rows. Her best guess at gauge is 13 st./3 in, and row gauge of 13 rows/2 inches (I was on US8 rosewood circs.) . I am hoping all this works out, but I figure that the style is somewhat forgiving if I'm not on the mark.

Carol's goal: “I just want to finish it by the fall!”

I'm glad I'm trying this with everyone else, as I'm sure I'll have lots of questions...

Carolyn Stewart

Hannibal, MO

Yarn: Brown Sheep Bulky

Since this is the first I'm trying to go exactly by the pattern.

Thank you for all the information and comments. I love the fact that everyone is working together. That is encouragement enough to me to get it finished.

Catherine Underwood

Montrose MI

I have been hemming & hawing about my CNC. First of all, I have changed the yarn choice 4 times now, and if I don't change again :-) I'm going to go with Homespun in a beautiful blue variegated--“REGENCY.”

I have been searching the area for the current issue of Knitters' and ended up in Owasso, Mich., when much to my surprise, I snatched 30 back issues of Knitters--for the listed price! Anyway, not only did I find the mag's, but also 3 books on knitting which explain better to me about the “invisible Cast-on.” So far, it's still like mud, but I am working on it. From all your msgs. I guess that I will work with fewer stitches for the pockets, but let me not get the cart before the horse. Back working on the cast-on.

Sure am glad to know that some have you have visited the Frog Pond. I know that I am going to spend a lot of time there.

Cathy Christovich

not available

OK, OK, I surrender. I wasn't going to make the CNC right now because I've had so many other things to do. However, I have dreamed about the CNC, TWICE . . . and I was impressed with Pat Kirtland's variation, so I'm going to give it a whirl.

I just ordered my yarn from Patternworks: 11 skeins of Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky in “Blue Blood Red.”

Following Pat's lead, I plan to modify the shoulder line slightly, using the EZ saddle-shoulder variation in “Knitting Without Tears,” which is very similar but has a vertical section of decreases between the underarm and the saddle. I want to knit the sleeves from the wrist up (I don't think the cast-off-and-pick-up line of the original will be flattering to my heavy upper arms) and join them to the body at the underarm. (BTW, EZ's formula for holding out stitches for the underarm is 8% of K, and this has always worked well for me, no matter what size sweater I'm making. In worsted weight it usually comes up as 15-20 stitches.) Granted, I will have to graft the underarms, but I'm used to this and it's a very small finishing chore compared to sewing together. I'm also thinking of making the CNC in K6, P2 ribbing, but will decide this after I swatch and see how complicated the arithmetic is going to be. I only want to do it if I can get the P6 up the center of each sleeve and saddle.

Cathy J

Monroeville PA (near Pittsburgh)

I'm using a double strand of Wool Ease in Navy Sprinkles with size 10 needles. I will narrow the pocket a bit for a better line.

This CNC is just the first of about 6 in the planning stage!

Chrisanne G.

Oroville CA

I will probably be using Cotton Fleece or else Cascade 220. If I use Cotton Fleece, it will probably be a blue; if Cascade, a soft grey heather. When I make up my alleged mind, I'll let you know!

Claire Sims

Sacramento CA

Using either Nevada Jarre or Homespun

Cyndee Degerness

Gering, Nebraska

I haven't picked a yarn yet. I'm planning to possibly do the pockets and a shawl collar

I'm really excited to be doing this, even if it will take me a long time! :-)

Cyndi Boyd

Lebanon, VA (SW VA)

Yarn: I'm embarrassed to say Redheart but am unsure how well I will do and the Redheart actually holds up well.

I plan to just follow the pattern exactly.

I will probably bug everyone about the directions and mistakes. I don't even know what people mean by short rows. (embarrassed look on my face)

Cyndi Cassidy

Wells, British Columbia, Canada

Cyndi has finished her sweater and prepared a terrific Circumnavigated Cardigan webpage featuring photographs and text. Check out her beautiful sweater and helpful hints!

Cyndi writes: I really enjoyed making my first CNC and now I'm going to start another lighter version for summer. I'm going to use a fingering weight wool/cotton blend from Jaggerspun that I have in my stash.

I'd also like to make one for my daughter and granddaughter. My daughter is pregnant right now so I'll probably wait and make hers for next Christmas. My granddaughter is 18 months old. When I get hers finished I'll put some photos and descriptions up on my cnc website.

Darcy

Vancouver

I'm also joining the group knit but as I haven't got the perfect yarn yet, I will not be there (probably) at the kickoff. I'm also a slow one so there will be a few of us toiling away while the rest proudly show off their creations. In this instance, the process is fun and the results are even better ... a sweater that fits that I knit myself!!

Deb

Cleveland, OH

After much indecision and swatching, and after input (positive and negative) from several list members, I've decided to use Lion Homespun “Cascade.“ It is a dark purple base color with strands of gold and dark blue throughout. I've gotten a gauge of 3.5 stitches/inch and have cast on 276. I used the waste yarn cast-on because I just wasn't up to struggling with the crochet provisional cast-on. Maybe the next CNC will get the provisional :-). I think from everyone's comments, this WILL be just the first of many CNC's for me. So I can dream about other yarns and other variations to come on future ones.

Eileen B

Oregon

I'm using Lamb's Pride Bulky, in a dark green (Turkish Olive). Gauge is 3.5 stitches, 5 rows to the inch. This is my first experience with a single-ply yarn, and while the look was different, I've now gotten quite used to it. My fears of not having enough yarn (more than 2 skeins used before I even fused the pockets) have been somewhat eased by the fact that I now have a total of 16 skeins (2000 yards) and another 2 skeins in hold at the LYS store, just in case.

I'll probably make my sweater a bit longer, add the shawl collar. I wonder about doing a cable up the front instead of the Unlace? Hmmm.........

This will be for DH, unless I REALLY like the way it turns out . I've never done a Knit-along before, because I could never keep up. Hope this is the start of a new habit!

So far, I am not the first or last in the pack, which is a good sign. I'm really enjoying this.

Ellie Gallo-Hendrikx

Boston, MA

Yarn you're using: Austermann Shetland

I will likely make it tunic length because I would like to use it as a jacket and will try to make it in an A-line going from approximately 60” circumference to approximately. 55”. I am also considering making the shawl collar.

Erlinda Merrilees

NW Arkansas

Yarn: After trying out several swatches, will be going along with Pingouin Pingofrance II in a Magenta/Red color. I am going to use two strands to get a 3 sts/inch gauge... less sts to cast on :-)

I will follow the instructions as is -- I don't plan to add anything this time... I liked the way Shelda's looked on her so why try anything different??

Felecia M

not available

Chunky yarn by Tivoli or Patons

Frauncelle King

San Antonio, Texas

I have about 3000 yards of 3 ply homespun in my mother's cedar chest that I had planned to use for a vest/cardigan aran set from Vogue. I tried to do the front in the round planning to cut it and got lost in the cables. This was in 1993. It was about 900 ypp (I weigh each skein on a gram scale and count the winds) and 14-16 wpi. It looked ok in December 1999.

I lost my pattern from Medrith. I have issue 10 printed out. She told me that she hoped I could find it the pattern she sent me so I am still looking.

Gene S. Byrge (that's Ms)

Southeastern Utah

Lion Brand Homespun

Hazel Verster

A Farm, in the state of Victoria, near a small town, SEYMOUR, Australia

Yarn: Panda Courtelle (Acrylic), though it was a good yarn to start with

I have completed two CNC cardigans, just have to put the buttons on and finish off ends on one of them. Have thoroughly enjoyed doing them, and will be doing more later, after I do a few more things. Did not do anything special on this sweater, or the second one I did, but have ideas in mind to try later.

The lady (Ann) who has a Habby shop in Seymour, fell in love with the CNC when she saw it this morning, says she'll give me a special price when I get some yarn for the next.

Hester Sturrock

San Diego, CA

Yarn: Woolease, Blue Mist (a denim blue) on #9's.

I made the pockets 2” less wide, and am attempting unlaced panels. I would like to make a round neck opening rather than a v. My throat gets cold.

Need help with knitting the make one, my stitches slant to the left or to the right.

Honeybear

at the top of Sebago Lake, Maine

Bear-utiful red Bartlettyarn, spun right in Harmony, Maine

I've been thinking of maybe navy cuffs and trim (hummm, still thinking on this!)

I'll probably be slower than cold molasses in February, but I'll keep reading the posts and plugging away.

Ingrid Reed

not available

I am new on the list, and I am raring to go with the CNC. I have my pattern, my yarn (about 2000 yards of woolease, hope it'll do!), my swatch and my measurements. Please add me to the list of happy campers that are taking on this project!

March 19th
I finished my CNC last night! The sleeves worked out; weren't as big as they looked initially when there were less of them - however next time I will probably decrease harder on the way down the arms.

Other things I will do next time (and there WILL be a next time...sooner than later if my DP pattern doesn't get here within the next couple of days!!):

• I am chronically not making ribbing long enough. Also, it was tight enough that I needed/preferred to block some stretch into it. Next time, I'll use garter stitch. I like the look of the garter around the neckline.

• Speaking of the neckline, I made the shawl collar, sort of half way. Next time it'll be an inch wider, and the button bands maybe another half inch. Although they're a good inch and a half wide now, I skimped on them because I thought the sweater was coming out too big around.

• It's not too big around, but it's certainly got enough ease! It's longer than I had planned, though. Next time, since I clearly couldn't figure it out by holding it up to myself this time, I'm going to make the body (with ribbing/garter) 15 inches long, instead of 17. Unless I really start liking this length.

• I'm going to face the fact that my widest part around is not my bustline *g*. I'll measure honestly next time, and put some real thought into my actual shape before I cast on. This actually fits me around well, but I was kind of nervous for a while. Side-stepping that mental trickery will be worth it.

• I'm probably going to make the pockets taller. They could stand a little more height, especially if they're further down than I plan. 8-)

I might even get some film developed, so I can take some photos of this. I have several rolls of snapped but undeveloped film lying around, probably dating back to last summer's vacation. In the meantime, let me assure you that this sweater is awesome!

Jackie Butcher

Traveling the USA, by Mar. 1st will be at Lake Pleasant, AZ

I have already started my sweater, using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, Provencal color which is dusty rose. My gauge is 4.25 st/in on # 8 Bamboo needles. I have purchased 11 balls @ 215 yds each for total of 2365. I'm praying it will be enough!

I have chosen to add the Unlace border.

I am sizing it for 51 inch chest and hope to have enough for 26 in length. I am knitting a loose weave cotton, so have decided on only 4.5 inches of ease. Will make all above the pockets first and then go for as long as I am able. I opted for 10 decreases in my pockets.

I have already decided I would use the “waste yarn” cast on the next time. I found the crochet and invisible as described by Barbara Walker way too time consuming.

Some comments I would make about this CNC:

• I would take the most current chest/hip measurements before starting again. I think I'm a bit larger now than I was "then".
• I chose not to use buttons. I never use them and I liked the casual hang to go with cotton fabric and casual look
• Would make the button/neck band wider, but ran out of energy to frog and redo.
• I'm staying very near Medrith's shop in Quincy. Will take a trip to visit her wearing my sweater. Hope to get some hints about how I could have raised the neckline more...

Jackie Hobson

Connersville IN

I am not a sweater knitter but thought I would like to do this one. The yarn I'm planning to use is Woolease Springles. Have two colors, probably do lighter color as it would be easier to see stitches. I have 6 of the bonus bundles so hope it is enough for a 3x. I'm planning on doing a plain version with out pockets.

Jane Wiewora

Jupiter, FL

Woolease Red Sprinkles that I already have lots of. I tried the “unlace” leaf pattern and while it is pretty, I think I will follow the basic pattern for the first time. I figured out the number of stitches I need to cast on with a gauge of 4.5 st./1” and it is a considerable number. I think I will do a shawl collar.

Hint: Before you start to work on the bottom of the sweater, i.e., taking out the provisional caston, place a marker, thread, piece of yarn or something on the left pocket. Then when you have all those circular needles sticking up everywhere, and the pattern tells you to move the stitches from the left pocket - you will know which pocket that is without having to do all sorts of contortions to figure it out.

2/3/00 I'm working down on the ribbing now. I'm doing a k2p2 ribbing with the same size needle as the body.

Thanks for the picture, Jane!

Jill Vosburg

California

I started a CNC in fingering weight (what was I thinking?!) years ago and just love the cleverness of the pattern.

I don't have time to actually make the CNC this time, but I love the pattern (and I WILL make it someday). I don't want to miss the insights of those who are making it now!

Someday, I'd like to combine Beth Brown-Reinsel's White Gansey with the Circumnavigated Cardigan construction - I guess it would be a Circumnavigated Gansey!

Joan Alby

Wisconsin

Yarn: Handsome Harry wool worsted

JoAn Smith

East Texas

I do have some lovely yarn for the CNC, its a Denys Bruton Aran, cream with flecks of color. Part wool, part acrylic, I think. I had swatched it on the bulky machine, but didn't care for the ribbing, turned hem, or mock rib, with the pattern I tried, but think the CNC will be perfect.

I plan to tink the garter stitch bottom and pick up all around bottom, fronts, and neck, and do garter stitch with mitered corners, and a shawl collar. On the next one, in a navy tweed worsted, no name on hanks I bought years ago and kept in the cedar chest, I will probably change the pockets, since I like side seam pockets. Takes some planning, but will suit me more. Plus the unlace panels, and shawl collar.

I would like to figure out a way to do this on the knitting machines, it's percolating in my head as I go along on this one.

Jody

Indianapolis IN

I have my pattern and I'm terrified, but determined to march along while having my hand firmly held by all of you. My yarn is going to be a Brown Sheep Nature sport weight, I'll knit forever but the end product will be something light weight enough for this very warm body!

I'm hoping to do the cables up the front and moss stitch on the back since I like texture. I'm not sure about the pockets. The length will be longer by about one inch.

Karen Freeman

Indiana

I am hoping to use up stash yarn as much as I can this year. I have lopi, but am afraid I don't have enough of one color to make the whole sweater. Do you think this sweater is strictly a one color project or will it be possible to add contrasting stripes, maybe above the cuffs or the button band?

I haven't done any of the math yet to figure out how much yarn I will need. My greatest fear when I start a new project is I will run out of yarn before finishing!

Karen Hedelund

Seattle

I am currently knitting my roommate a ample sized cardigan vest with a cable on both sides (the cardigan vest from Leisure Arts Leaflet 547: Full-Figure Vests to Knit, with a cabled substituted for the lace panel as neither one of us wants the lace).

I am interested in knitting myself a CNC cardigan when I finish. I would like to follow along the list reading as I do intend to knit it, but not at this moment. I suppose I might knit it out of Woolease as one person did. I am also exploring ordering some of Mary Maxim's heavier weight yarn, or maybe Lamb's Pride bulky if I feel affluent.

Katherine Condliffe

Greenbelt, MD

I just got my patterns and I've swatched and started knitting. My yarn is a beautiful green coned wool yarn I got on sale from my lys (which is primarily a machine knitting shop) It's a light worsted or DK weight and wants to be knit in size 4 or 5 needles at 5 sts/inch, so I ended up casting on 392 stitches! I'm about 2” up now.

The thing that finally tipped the balance was Shelda talking about finally having made a sweater that really fits.

Katherine ended up starting over. She wrote: “I just restarted mine. My yarn, although a beautiful color was just a bit too thin and dull. I added a strand of laceweight black yarn and a strand of jaggerspun turquoise merino to the forest green wool I started with, reswatched and started over a couple of days ago. I also decided I wanted to put cables up the front -- I'm using a double helix cable that DH found on-line and that I wanted the pockets a little narrower. I'm much happier with it now -- the combined yarns are beautiful and much livelier and it's now 4 sts/inch instead of 5 sts/inch. So I cast on 300 sts to start instead of almost 400.”

Katie Hartsell

Bakersfield, CA

Using Wendy Aran

Goal: finish it and have it fit!

I'm already working on the first sleeve but may be redoing the neckband, it looks kind of funny. Fun pattern but the lack of diagrams/schematics gets annoying.

Progress Report (Feb 28): Arrrgh. Or maybe I should say “ribbit, ribbit.” After trying on my close-to-complete CNC and discovering that it was TOO SMALL I gave up and frogged it. I was halfway through the first sleeve, that's how close to done I was, and while I had been suspicious that it was going to be too small it was even worse than I anticipated. Remember that I had already partially frogged the body, and redone it to be longer. My gauge was right on, so I don't know what went wrong, maybe the math??? Whatever, fortunately I am a process rather than a project knitter. It was a fun pattern to knit and Medrith is some kind of genius to figure out how to make it work. I think I'm done playing with it though! Better luck to all of you--just remember to check your gauge and your math, and try it on often, and believe that little voice that warns you of impending disaster! Splich, splash....

Laura

Lilburn, Georgia

Yarn: handspun Jacobs/angora blend, Navajo 3-ply

I am spinning a bit, knitting a bit on this project. The yarn is spun from a stripey roving of Jacobs wool (ranging from white to dark grey, for you non-spinners) blended with a fairly small amount of white angora. The colors separate somewhat in the spinning, so I am Navajo-plying to accentuate the color variation.

I sized it for my stomach, which means I probably should decrease a few inches before the bust. I'm just above the pocket grafting so far, though. The first try was coming out way too large, so I started over after about 6 inches of knitting. The yarn is not totally consistent, and my gauge sometimes relaxes when I get into a project.

If this fits well, I'm going to love it. I really like the yarn, especially since the wool came from a friend. It will probably do as a winter coat here in Georgia!

Laura Piwowarski

Hemlock MI

Yarn: Probably handspun

Leah Oakley

Irwin, PA
(near Pittsburgh)

Airone by Skacel, size 10 needle (Addis)

Going strictly by the pattern--nothing fancy, never done it before, glad to be doing this as a group.

Size: I yo-yo in size. Currently, I wear a 12, but was up to a 16 last year. I havent decided how much ease to put in, thinking of 7-9” and have 37” bust presently.

Swatch: Finished last night, ready to get out the Clackolator

I feel much better doing this knowing that I will have a HELP SCREAM (kinda like a HELP SCREEN on the puter) :)

Linda Noble

Ft. Belvoir, VA

Reynolds Candide Heavyweight, a light blue/lavendar tweed. I will be adding “unlaced cables.” I've made one of these before, in Noro Sarubia, & it turned out great & was a quick knit, I think this one will take longer, as I have a ton of other projects going on at the same time (no singleminded knitting frenzy this time)!

Lois Lloyd

West Des Moines, IA

Yarn you're using: Either Baabjoes Woolpack or Lorna's Laces Shepherd

Anything you plan to do different/special on your sweater: Not yet. Just sent for the pattern. I usually start out by the instructions and then make adaptations as I go along.

I won't be able to keep up, but will keep working along as I have time. I have been saving the notes people have sent in so far.

Louise Rochon

Laval (Qc) Canada

Yarn: Bernat Chunky 100 % acrylic put out in 1 lb skeins for Zellers and Walmart Hunter Green (cheap 2 x $7.49 Cdn).

My pockets will be 9 in wide at the bottom. My measurements (including ease) 69 hips 52 chest. Total height 30 in (I am 5 ft tall). I am very pear shaped so will decrease on imaginary side seams every fourth row to go from 69 to 52.

This is my 3rd attempt. I did not leave enough ease on second attempt.

Lynn Park

Alameda, CA

I have Neveda Tweed in silver blue (yummiest yarn I've ever bought)--and am also considering a luscious LB Homespun in Waterfall: a light blue variegated with touches of violet and a greenish color--but am afraid it might streak at the wrong place and look funny.

I am short, busty, somewhat short-waisted, and use a wheelchair. Which means I'm not going to do pockets (to save lap bulk--and work!) and will want longer than usual cuffs and somewhat narrower than usual arms to keep the sleeves from getting grubby. I'm also thinking about keeping the V-neck but making the Vshorter, both for warmth and for proportions. The sweater length will also be somewhat shorter than usual--if I'm very brave I may try to make it somewhat longer in back than on the front, which is nice with sitting and hips and a larger stomach than I used to have. I haven't checked the pattern carefully enough yet to know it this is possible.

This time through I'm not going to use short rows. A friend recently made a pullover for me in an unfortunately stiff chenille (it was a gift of love--and materials, so what can I say?) that should have had short-rows, as it tents out in front, but I think the CNC cardigan style and the softer drape of either the Neveda or the Homespun will be okay without them.

Update: I got the Neveda Tweed in silver blue for the CNC, but wasn't quite sure. Then I got WoolEase in loden green, that I was going to double-strand with MicroSpun in lilac--an idea that didn't work at all.

And--ta DA. . . . I've got it. I'm literally singing to myself. I'm double-stranding the loden WoolEase with Red Heart's fiesta jewel with 10 1/2 needles (gauge is 3 1/2 stitches per inch). IT sings--and glows and shimmers and looks "special"--at the same time it will go with just about everything I wear. I am so happy!

I haven't even started the CNC--and I'm already thinking ahead.

Lynn Shore

Rock Hill, SC

3/10/00 - Think I've changed my mind about which yarn I'll be using - an order came in from Smiley's - Cottrica - and right now I plan to use that - 4 sts per inch - want to make it longer also - plan to cast on this weekend !!!

Maddie McEwan

Cleveland OH area

Am currently spinning the yarn for my CNC. I am using a very light, grey Border Leicster cross from Australia. I am about half way through the fiber preparation. I am preparing the fiber in a semi-worsted preparation on the drum carder. I swatched for it, and it was approx. 3 stitches per inch on #10 needles (US).

This is my second sweater ever, but I know you guys can talk me through any project. I will also probably be one of the last to finish, I knit very slow. I am so excited to think I can have a sweater I knit myself that fits ME!

Marcia

Lewistown PA

I'm using GGH Bandola. Patsy Edwards got her yarn from me! (VBG)

Marilyn

Australia

8 ply beige variegated

Marilyn (Lyn) Thompson

Rumney, NH

I am making the CNC for DMIL with mint green knitted worsted on #9 needles.

I knit the pockets and fused them while in court in North Carolina. Now I have fused the bottom of the pockets and I have started the 2X2 ribbing.

I am one that needs to follow the pattern the first time as written, then I am able to make changes. I have found the sweater fun to make and the instructions easy to understand.

I enjoy reading the list and comments from the others. This has helped tremendously, my questions get answered before I have them.

Martha Fee

Centerport, Long Island

Yarn: lion brand homespun

Anything you plan to do different/special on your sweater: I'll let you know after i look at the directions but the shawl collar looks great now.

I'm lucky...the friday night knitters (my group) has one person who is completing hers (ann stoddard) and another woman who is going to start one (emily d.) ergo, i've got plenty of resources for ideas and encouragement.

Martha Underwood

Pittsburgh, PA USA

Yarn: Something from my stash. It's Hunter Green wool with a rayon shiny strand through it. I am using it doubled.

BTW: I'm a slooooooooowwwwww knitter.

Mary Kay

Richmond VA

Hi---as if I needed another project-but--who cares,right? I started my CNC last night, using some boucle yarn with thick unspun like colors interspersed. When I come to those longish slubs (enough for 2-3 stitches) I do reverse stockinette so they are more pronounced bits of color. I liked how it looked in my swatches so I hope it will be ok in a full sweater. I had actually made one of these CNC for my nephew but messed up on the math and it never fit him...so I am hoping that with everyone's support this will be better. Plus it's for me and should be at the mindless kind of parts when we are flying the end of this month on our trip. Will eagerly await others' posts---and I only did 4 rows so don't slow knitters despair!

Mattie Wood

Waxahachie, TX

Mattie is using Red Heart Pounder; acrylic; gauge: 3.84 sts/in (I decided to round up to 4 sts/in to make the figuring easier.) Color: Aran (very light cream). My swatch was knitted at 50 sts by 60 rows, then washed and dried, pinned down and measured.

Size: measurement worked out at 64 inches with ease. I am putting in pockets (may knit taller pockets, close bottom of opening to give depth to pocket).

Stitches cast on: 376 on No. 8 kneedles (circular, 32 inches length) May have to get some longer needles.

Considering doing a plain cardigan with maybe a shawl collar and then embroidering on it. I have been looking at some of the embroidery designs that articles in Interweave Knits use.

I have cast on and knitted about 8 rows; on one side the I-cord for the pocket is forming correctly and on the other side it is not. May have to frog and start over.

Rather than than turning the knitting around I am knitting backwards. The last garment I knit for myself took me between 18 months and 2 years so I may be working on this a while.

Maureen Sorenson

Seattle, WA

I have started my CNC. I am not a fast knitter, so thought I should start early. I am using Timberline Bouquet yarn from Spinrite Yarns, Canada. It is an acrylic that I bought about five years ago from a yarn shop that was going out of business. It is a bulky yarn, kind of reminds me of cotton candy (it's pink). If it turns out OK, I think I'll make one in wool.

Merie Lettieri

Lincoln Park Michigan

Using Encore worsted in a Denim color. I am thinking about adding some dusty rose pink accents after the knitting is done, just to soften and make it look more feminine. Just thinking about it at this stage.

I have started early because I know I will lose about a week of knitting time. I am going in the hospital for knee replacement surgery for my left knee. I know I will hurt too much to knit for a few days. If this sweater is as much fun as I think it will be, I will also be knitting my hubby one.

Thanks for the picture, Merie!

Michele Kesler

Rock Hill, SC

Yarn: Berella Astrakhan lumpy bumpy wool in a slate blue. I've been wanting a denim colored cardigan for outerwear (I live in SC now - don't need too heavy of a coat most of the time) and this would be perfect yarn for a basically stockinette garment since any patterning would not show. SO - count me in!

I would like to change the ribbings on bottom and sleeves to hems and make the body longer. From reading through the pattern, it looks possible: after fusing the bottom of the pockets, instead of starting ribbing I could just knit down to wanted length and do a hem. The heads up, heads down orientation of the stitches won't show in this bumpy, almost boucle yarn. Then I would like to do a shawl collar on the V neck.

Miriam Heynen

Waterloo, ON, Canada

I'm using the scratchiest worsted wool I have ever used, but the prettiest coral colour. It was also a very good price. Two out of three is good!

Planning to do a shawl collar, bust darts, shorter pockets, tunic length.

Does anyone have any ideas of how to highlight the shaping details such as top-stitching would do in sewing?

Myra Heintz

South GA

I'm using two strands of Lion Brand Al-Pa-Ka held together (the light and dark grey). I decided to do the Unlace option for more interesting knitting. Haven't quite decided on what type of border for the bottom yet - I do know that I don't want it to pull in but hang straight. I may do the shawl collar - it depends on how the yarn holds out! I was kind of thinking that the collar and cuffs might look nice with two strands of the dark grey as a contrast for the the tweedy look of the rest of the sweater (which really will be more of a jacket).

Progress Report: I am just now starting the sleeves (still haven't done the bottom border yet). I was a little worried when doing the decreases for the v-neck and the raglan shaping that it might do strange things to the unlace portion, but somehow, by luck or “knitting magic” it all worked out just fine. And as far as I can tell right now, it is going to fit just fine too. Oh, my gauge with the two strands held together is 3 sts / inch and the finished measurement will probably be about 54” around and about 27” long. I haven't worked on it in about a week because the weather has turned a bit warmer here. It will be good to see everyone's info and progress for encouragement! Thanks to you and to Carol for getting this together!

Nancy

Maine

Yarn: Berroco Europa - a variegated superwash -double strand

I'm making my cardigan with no pockets.

Should I still do the short rows if I'm not making pockets??

Nancy Alford

In the Arkansas Ozarks

Lion Brand Homespun in the Adirondack color - I do love the colors.

I haven't really planned anything different on this first one. May try to use short rows for ample bazooms.

I have started my CNC, and have probably half of the decreases for the pockets done. Then I craved a short project, so started some sport weight woolease socks, which are just about finished.

I am sure I could use the short rows in the front. Always need more room in chest. The last raglan sweater I made is still waiting for me to put some elastic or something in the neck to draw it up. To fit the chest area, I wind up with sizes too large in shoulder width and arm length. So, it is nice to do things to fit ME, which I think this project will, if I do it right.

Nancy Walpole

Florida, currently (from Warren OH)

Yarn-Monterey,by Crystal Palace, a bulky, pastel variagated on size 9 needles. I am getting 4sts to 1 inch. Body 50”.

Cast on with body and both pockets = 292 sts. Next time I wouldn't make the pockets quite so many stitches. Maybe cast on 6 - 8 sts less for each pocket. Love the way the buttonholes look. Also, the construction with no seams to sew up. I hope to make another one, this time for the DBF and perhaps another one for me.

Pam

Spokane

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Cherub in royal blue

Pat (Mary) Pope

West Central Indiana

Some will note that legally, I am Mary E. No one except strangers ever call me that. So, if you plan on being friends, call me Pat or Patsy. Old Scotch/Irish nickname in my family. When I began school, and was called Mary, I seldom knew they were calling me. I soon encouraged teachers to call me Patsy. I have been Patsy all my life to everyone.

I purchased some acrylic yarn in a grey and white ragg worsted that has no dye lot. I do not have my pattern, yet, but it is ordered. I am uncertain that this style will work for me. I have a sister in Florida who has recurring breast cancer. So, am thinking this would look very nice on her. She has a more balanced shape, though our weight is approximate. I also think it will make a nice sweater for the early spring when she is not feeling really well, and she will appreciate the ease of care of the acrylic. That will give me the opportunity to try it on. If I like it, I will probably make another for myself from a nice woollen yarn. The acrylic will suit her needs better.

Since I do not have my pattern yet, I am not sure when I will be able to start; but am looking forward to sharing this knitting adventure with the rest of you. It sounds like both a challenge and a learning experience; both of which I relish. It is nice knowing that many of you have knit the sweater and will be on hand for help. Please be free with any advice you may think I will need.

Patsy Edwards

Central Pennsylvania

I am using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick&Quick in Pine (a lovely dark green). Doing it to fit a 44” bust. Am enjoying hearing about everyone's progress. I am only 5'2" and have a terrible time buying things that are not way too long.

Thanks for the picture, Patsy!

Paula Roberts

Revere, MA

Please add me to that list-I have the pattern & two beautiful cones of purple chenille from Webs-seems like it will be so soft & comfy.

I may try bust darts for extra room-I've been knitting for years and never tried them. I'm a 3x and looking forward to having a cuddly perfect-fitting sweater.

I'm not sure what day of the week will be CNC day, as I'm currently on a project-a-day schedule...my projects were overwhelming me. Maybe CNC will be the project to travel in my backpack to work-and it'll be worked on at work.

3/8/00 - I've changed my mind about my yarn again, and I haven't even started yet. I had planned on using deep purple chenille, but the store said the yarn needs no larger than a 4 needle-seems too much like work to me. Tonight I made a swatch from some handspun wool--green, grey-sort of the color of the water at the bottom of the ocean. I only have a few skeins spun, so it'll be a long time before I finish this sweater, but it'll be just what I want. And it's not like I don't have projects to work on while I spin for this sweater.

Pauline

Long Island, NY

I'm using Brown Sheep's Lambs Pride Super Wash Bulky in Emerald City (color, not place! LOL)

I will plan to make the bottom half bigger than the top to accomodate my body shape - will probably be hollering for help with this at some point.

I had stopped knitting a while back because of a Lupus arthritis flare. I then went into remission and stayed that way for quite some time. During this remission period, I found this list. Recently my arthritis came back, and I thought I would have to give up the CNC project at this time. :-( Things have been a bit better - medication is kicking in - so I am hoping to get going soon with the rest of you, although I will definitely have to limit my knitting time per day, but hey, it's group knitting and support, not a speed competition! :-)

Phyllis Y.

New York

Just received the shipment of my CNC yarn. Will start today. Wanted to let you all know about the terrific bargain I got at www.smileysyarns.com. Smiley's is a giant yarn outlet that travels around the NYC metropolitan area with their warehouse sales, which they call Yarn Riots. and have recently started selling on the web. They are running an internet special on Paton's Impressions, which is a lovely tweed (brown/black/white), 18 sts. to 4 inches, at the fabulous price of $1 each (50g.) until they run out of it. I think it's perfect for the CNC. Can't wait to finish answering my e-mail so I can belatedly join the CNC club.

Randy Freeman

Myrtle Beach, SC

I bought my yarn from Artfibers in San Francisco on Feb 7 when I was there on a business trip. I am knitting 2 strands together, for a very bulky 2-stitches per inch. One strand is a very loosely spun single that alternates black and rust. It requires a second strand for strength because it is so loosely spun. The second yarn is a 2-ply yarn with the core being a brown/gray color with a slubby golden color. My swatch reminded me of a tiger.

I am not doing anything special, however this will be a jacket, rather than a cardigan sweater due to the bulky yarn. After I finish the body, I may add the shawl collar if I have enough yarn left and if I think a shawl collar will look good at that point.

Rise` Burgie

Sacramento, Ca.

My Yarn for the CNC has arrived!!! I'll be using Paton's Decor...it is a 75% acrylic-25% wool blend...I'm off to start my swatch and make gauge...I just hope I've bought enough yarn...I hope to push the gauge to between 4-4.5 sts=1...I bought the full bag of 10...wish me luck...

Although I had considered this yarn in the past to use as a substitute for Rowan Magpie...It has soo many colors...I found when knitting it to the recommended gauge of 5sts=1 I didn't like the hand...it was too stiff but after reading the various posts about the CNC and using Decor I decided to see how far I could push it...after three swatches, 4.5sts=1 on sz 8 turbo's feels the best and looks great...the color is called Navy Heather...It is navy blue with a dark wine marl and looks quite interesting...I hope it is not too dark! I really want the details in the shaping to show up...I have about 3 in worked on 344 sts for a finished bust of 52”...this one is for me...the next one may be too...I'm already having so much fun and the anticipation to get to the next stage keeps you motivated...What a great technique in pattern writing especially for those of us that are process knitters...I'm lovin it!!! Thanks Medrith!

Rona T

Elkhart Indiana

I knit my first CNC in Tahki Bulky with a matching strand of mohair tweed in a pale aqua. I have a picture of me in it with the second CNC that I made for my granddaughter Jordan in her CNC in an aqua acrylic. I am working on my 3rd CNC in bright yellow Sugar and Cream 100% cotton for another granddaughter.

Tips for future CNCs: (and there will be more) pockets not quite so deep! Made mine longer than the pattern, and didn't decrease for the ribbing as I didn't want it to cup around my butt. Next time I will decrease a little. Next time I will also put a pattern of some sort into it, but since I had the original pattern from Knitter's 10 I don't have the lace pattern to follow. I will invent something... I love the way this fits!

Update: As you know, I finished my first CNC and have been wearing it and was very happy with the way the shoulders etc fit, but then I saw the lovely pictures of the I-cord bind off and since I was unhappy with the way mine seemed to flare out at the bottom, I frogged the front border and the bottom ribbing and reknitted this time finishing the front with an I-cord and a decrease before the ribbing on the bottom. I like it even more than I did before. Maybe CNC's are never done, they get upgraded as we go along.

Thanks for the picture, Rona!

Ruth Goldenberg

currently Groton, MA; near Ellsworth, Maine May-Aug.

Using Tess Designer Yarn 50% silk/50% merino DK-worsted weight.

Plan to do shawl collar and short row bust dart; size is between 1 and 2X.

I don't think I have enough of this yarn, and the natural color I have is darker than what my shop owner is currently getting. I'm going to swap my yarn and get extra of the lighter color this weekend.

Ruth Sybers

Monticello WI

I will be knitting mine in a handpainted wool/ mohair yarn from Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill here in Wisconsin. The weight is between worsted and bulky -- 3.5 st per inch. Have used it before and it escapes the tendency to stripe -- I love that. I might eliminate the V neck on my cardigan.

Update: I finished three of the CNC's, two in Blackberry Ridge bulky, one in green, brown tones, one in blue tones. The third is a white washable wool. Did one up to neck -- no v-neck. Great pattern -- fits so well.

Sande Francis

Fresno, CA, USA

Yarn you're using: handspun

i plan to knit this in garter st rather than stockinette, i will do no bottom ribbing (will decide on sleeve/cuff ribbing when i get there), will add shawl collar. i have not really looked closely at the pattern (nor have i even started to spin the yarn!), but i suppose i should put in some bust short rows...

i'm gonna be really late starting this cuz i'm gonna be spinning my own yarn. as a brand new spinner this will probably take some time. i have 2-1/2 lbs of nifty purple fiber on hand, just need to get started.

Sandi Rosner

Sebastopol, CA

I'm using Lion Homespun (my third choice - I tried to find some stash yarn, but decided I didn't have enough to be comfortable - those pockets look like they will eat up yardage!) I am making my cardigan just as the pattern says, in a 55” finished chest measurement

Sandra M. Riley

Bremen, Georgia

Yarn: Woolease in a lovely denim blue (Blue Mist). To those who have the pattern, would this be enough to make a size 24, and allow for extra length for my 6' height?

Oh dear, it looks like I just ran out of reasons for not joining the CNC Project. I love the look of the sweater in pictures, but I've never really had success with patterns...I usually just wing it and knit by measurements. I've seen so many patterns I'd love to try, but never with the benefit of the designer sitting next to me to help with the sticky parts. I guess y'all better add me to the list!

Sherri Mealor

South-eastern Indiana

I feel completely blessed to have won the bid on some Crystal Palace yarn. It's a wool and Rayon blend, I've been watching Ebay for quite sometime now, hopeing and praying to wim a bid on something fantastic like this.

The only problem is that in order to have enough yarn. I had to purchase two lots. One is white, the other is steel blue. I know that the two colors will go well together, I just have to plan how. I'm so excited about this project!!

Sue Ann Parker

Central IN

Yarn: white slubby merino and a sapphire silk knitting both together as one to break up the monotony of the all white.

I am not sure about buttons for this project. I haven't seen any I thought would really look right.

Susan Dinola

Rhode Island

Yarn: Bartlet yarn- 4 strands together at 2.5 sts per inch

Anything you plan to do different/special on your sweater: pray

I should be ready to fuse the pockets to the body soon.

Susan Esser

South Carolina

Yarn you're using: Jaeger 100% wool - called Shetland

I will use 2 different colors: sleeves and saddles, plus edgings in a 2nd color (plain beige). The main color is beige with slubs of charcoal.

This is my 2nd one - did one years ago when the pattern first came out in Knitters. This sweater is my 2nd one - car riding, and knitting in meetings etc.

Tamara

Aurora, Co

Yarn: Wool cone yarn Navy and Medium blue tweed

I want to be sure my sleeves are long enough and the raglan short enough. I would love to do bust darts but I need more info on doing them.

I will no doubt change my mind about the yarn I will used 3 more times before I start.

Tamsin

Pacific Grove, CA (USA)

I've now officially lurked my way through a knit-along ... :-) I really doubted I'd complete this in the current century, so I opted not to commit verbally to doing it. But I'd had that Circumnavigated Cardigan pattern for a couple of years, and I knew I had enough Unger Delta cotton [old, from a sale purchase] in a soft, medium gray that I couldn't possibly run out ... so what better time to give it a try?

I can hardly believe this, but I've actually FINISHED it! And I like it; I will wear this! I generally look awful in raglans, but the steep-raglan-evolving-into-saddle line is great. Thank you, Medrith, for a neat pattern, and thanks to everyone who has shared tips and enthusiasm along the way.

I enjoyed the process, despite the acreage involved (I wanted 56” around, and tunic length); Medrith's special touches, such as the pocket edge and the saddle-between-saddles, kept the entertainment value high. And it provided learning experiences, too; that always makes something more interesting to me.

My yarn is fairly heavy, 140 yards/100 grams. I did several advance swatches, both for gauge and to see what would happen when I washed/dried 'em, knowing I'd want to be able to machine wash and dry this heavy sweater. My experience with cotton has been that, while it may not shrink much in width when washed cold, it will *always* shrink noticeably in length at first, and I wanted to be sure I'd allowed for that shrinkage. The yarn could have worked either on US#9 or US#10 needles; I opted for the 10's.

Although my original plan was to follow the pattern straight through, as a 'first run,' I did change a few things as I went along....

Looking at the provisional cast on line for the sleeves, I just couIdn't envision wanting a horizontal line right there [on myself], so I left out the cast-off-and-pick-up step; no problem.

Puzzled by the sketchy guidelines for use of the every-row double decreases, I finally did them for about 5 inches of the raglan line, and I'm happy with the result.

I waited till the body was done and I was part way down the sleeves to decide on an edging and to fuse the bottoms of the pockets. At that point, the sleeves told me they wanted cuffs done in a ribbing which would include small cables, so I did same at the bottom. I used smaller needles for the cuffs, but not for the bottom, as I didn't want that to pull in much.

I planned on working a pick-up-as-you-go band up one front, around the neck, and down the other front, corresponding to the pocket edging, which I liked a lot, rather than the proposed pick-it-all-up-at-once garter edging. Once I had those little cables in the ribbing, though, I made my own life more difficult by feeling compelled to add a matching cable up each side of the front opening, inside the garter edge. A try-on at this point told me the back neck didn't invite addition of the garter edge after all, and that I wanted the shawl collar I hadn't originally planned on; a 3-stitch I-cord running up one front, around the collar, and down the other front pulls the edge together visually.

Once I've washed it another time or two, I'll add the zipper.

For anyone contemplating a similar yarn for this pattern, I used just under 2000 yards of the Unger Delta. My gauge started out at 3.5 sts/inch, but by the time I got to the sleeves it was closer to 4 (the thrill of being so close to done??)....

Teri Pittman

Stevenson, WA

Using Ballybrae worsted weight for this one, probably with knit/purl gansey styling.

Have made one of these before, using four colors of mohair and a slip stitch pattern. It turned out so well, that a co-worker raved on about it for three years! This Christmas, I gave it to her. This will be a lot different looking sweater, but I'm expecting it to be just as much fun and just as comfortable to wear.

Vicki M. White

Springfield, Missouri

Yarn: Paton's Melody

No ribbing at bottom or cuffs, plan to use garter or seed stitch. Will also make longer for a jacket style, in a large size.

At present time, I'm covered up in knitting and crocheting. Hope to get it started by the end of March.

Vickie

Brookfield, CT

I haven't gotten my yarn yet, but I did order it. I will be using Banff, from Sprinrite, 100% Merino wool in a denim marl. Gauge is 3 1/4 st to the inch on 10 1/2 needles. I'm getting it from Canada so it may take awhile. I'll have to catch up later.

Vida Christian-Battu

Freeport, Long Island

For the first one I'm using Woolease in a subtly varigated Forest Green. I think I'll stick to the basic pattern for this one, and then who knows what light bulbs will go off in my brain ? :-)

Copyright © 2000
Shelda Eggers, Owner-Ample-Knitters
Last modified: 21 March 2005