Shelda's Garter Rib Cardigan
This my adaptation of Delta Burke's “Garter Rib Cardigan.” I changed several things: made a modified set-in sleeve instead of the drop shoulder (detail photo below), changed the garter rib from a 4X4 garter/stockinette to a 3X3 because I thought it looked better in my swatch, did garter stitch bands at the hem, cuff, button band and pocket instead of the rib, and added a short-rowed bust dart. (For a photo of the Excel spreadsheet I used to plan my dart, click here.)
I was initially drawn to this pattern because it just looked so cozy on the model and I wanted a nice warm sweater to curl up in. I had it in mind that it would be an indoor sweater, but it's very much a jacket weight sweater, not to mention very warm.
I used Cascade's “Beach” yarn that I bought on closeout from One Fine Yarn (no affiliation, just a most satisfied customer!). This yarn has a very “scrunchy” feel to it, very heavy and satisfying. I used 33 50-gram balls (2,112 yards). “Beach” is a blend of 34% cotton, 34% alpaca, 32% wool. It was not very elastic and needed to be knit fairly tightly to get a fabric I was happy with. A bit of a strain on my hands, but the fabric is holding up beautifully.
You can see a picture of this and other Delta Burke patterns at Ample-Knitters lister Lois Lloyd's Creative Corner.
