The project I am presenting today has been a tough cookie but I love it for it! I really had to hang up tigh to finish it as I got quite bored at some point. But now that I can finally wear it, I am delighted I did!

WHAT IS IT?

I recently saw a beautiful long textured cardigan in a shop but, as always, the quality was way too poor to buy it. Therefore, I decided to knit it myself! I quickly identified the perfect yarn-pattern combo and I craked on with it.
I chose the sailor cardigan from Aurélie Tixier. It was exactly the style I was looking for. I have quite modified it though to match exactly my wishes.

I didn’t have any problem with the pattern itself, the explanations being very clear. The seed stitch though altered my motivation at some point. I couldn’t take it at the end. I knit continental which makes it much easier to constantly go from knit to purl at every single stitch. But still, once the bodice was finished, I just wanted some easy and quick stockinette stitch!

To keep myself motivated, I knitted a small cute project before starting the sleeves.

I got back to it and finished it in days. After blocking, it was much longer than I anticipated but I am delighted with it. It is like a knitted coat, perfect for fall and spring. I love it. And this color…it is just the perfect rust shade.

HOW IS IT MADE?

I used the Cascade yarn 220, in the  2414 Ambre colourway. It’s an american wool, very appreciated for its good value for money. It is pretty rustic but without being itchy or scratchy. Not very soft ever but I can wear it with a short sleeve tee-shirt underneath without any problem which is not always the case for me. I have a very sensitive skin. I can wear alpaca for instance.
I liked knitting it and I love its stitch definition. Perfect for a big cardigan.

WHICH SIZE IS IT?

I have knitted the S size. My gauge was slightly off (too small) but as I know this designer always creates super boxy models, I assumed that it will be ok anyway. I was right on this one. The result is exactly as I wanted it to be. I have been lucky as it is always so difficult to anticipate the effect of blocking on every yarn.

IS IT MODIFIED?

I have modified the pattern a bit to reach the result I was seeking for:
– all the cardigan is knitted with a seed stitch instead of stockinette.
– I have replaced the garter stitch with 2/2 ribbing for the wrist, bottom and neckline.
– I have replaced the patch pocket with inner ones. I have sewn fabric inside to create the pocket, I didn’t want to had thickness by using yarn.

I am very glad with how these modifications turned out!

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH IT?

I love it. It is even better than the initial cardigan I saw and copied. It is big, warm, beautiful ! I love its style. I am really glad I fought my laziness and got done with it!