Cropped Raglan Cardi/Weekend Retreat Cardi - Completed

Wow, it's been awhile since I posted my last knitted garment review. I have been busy with other WIPs and of course, had to frog my first version of this cardi and start over.

I present my Weekend Cardi and review:



Name of Pattern:
Cropped Raglan Cardi or Weekend Retreat Cardi

Designed by:
Lion Brand Yarn - called Weekend Retreat Cardi

Also published in the Knit 'N Style April 2008 magazine - called Cropped Raglan Cardi

Pattern/Garment Description:
Raglan sleeve cardigan. Knitted from the top down.

Size(s):
Small (35), Medium (38), Large (41), X-Large (44), and XX-Large (48)

I ended up knitting a size small after I frogged the first version which was in a medium.

Yarns Used:
Bernat Denim Style in Heathered Rose color

I ended up using about 2-3/4 skeins of yarn for this project.

Gauge:
18 sts x 24 rows = 4" using size 8 needles

Knitting Tools Used:
- Circular needles: 47-inch in size 7 (Ribbing the neckline, sleeves, and bottom. Really need this or 40" length for ribbing the bottom of the cardi). Ended up using 24-inch, which made for very cramped knitting. Lesson learned...don't loan out needles until my project is completed. :)
- Circular needle: 40-inch in size 8 (stockinette stitch-body)
- Stitch markers
- Yarn remnants used as stitch holders for the sleeves
- Tapestry needle

Techniques I used:
yo
SSK
k2tog
SSP
p2tog
pick up stitches (sleeves and front edges)

What I Like About this Pattern:
I enjoyed knitting this top down cardigan.

What I Dislike About this Pattern:
The only dislike I have is the armhole depth. It's deep and makes the cardigan very loose fitting. You can tell more so from the front and back when I extend my arms. The next version I try, I will reduce the number of rows before sleeve separation. Sasha on Ravelry..."decreased the number of increases (made a total of 24) so it wouldn't hang so loose under the arms..." The other thing I might try is to knit less ribbed rows around the neckline/shoulders. While being worn, that would raise the cardigan further up the body and reducing the armhole depth somewhat. Being a sewist at heart, these are alterations/changes I look for.

I should have paid more attention to the picture of the model in the Knit 'N Style magazine. She's posing as if to hide the long armholes.

My Pattern Rating (Beginner, Easy, Intermediate, Hard):
This pattern is rated 3 out of 4 bars in relation to difficulty which translates to intermediate knitters. I found this pattern easy to knit only as a result of knitting a similar shrug pattern before this one.

Conclusion/Additional Comments:
I saw this pattern in the Knit 'N Style magazine and thought it would be a great cardigan to knit. I didn't let the "bland-looking" cardigan on the model sway me from attempting this project. I was thankful to find some yarn that had been marinating in my yarn stash for years. The Bernat Denim Style yarn was a perfect match for this pattern.

This was my 2nd attempt at this project. My first attempt had some operator errors and I had separated the sleeves and tried it on. I had knitted a size medium which ended up rather large on me. Way too much positive ease. So, I frogged the whole cardigan and started again. This time I knitted a size small. Much better fit.

I knitted about 48 rows (280 stitches) before sleeve separation. A total of 80 rows at BO at the bottom. For my next version, I may end up knitting 40 rows before sleeve separation and then knitting the sleeves in St st for a few rows before ribbing.

Also, I need to avoid doing the long tail cast on when I'm knitting from the top down. After wearing the cardi at work, I noticed the neckline growing out a bit. I'm sure if I did my normal cable knit cast on, the neckline would not have stretched out. I've noticed on Ravelry, that some of the cardis sit higher up on the neckline. Also, some folks have added a button or two to the front. Since I can't add a button, I may add a snap or better yet, I could make my own cardi pin. :)

The only seam sewing needed is to sew the sleeve seams.

The armholes are deep depending on how the cardi sits on the neckline. Again, lesson learned. Not to use a loose cast on method.

There are no errors in this pattern.

My final comment: I love the style of this cardigan. The profile from the side is very slimming.

You can see how long the raglan sleeve area is. I think removing a couple of increases would make the fit much better



I will be back to post some live model pictures.

Weekend Knitting

I worked on my weekend cardi. By yesterday evening, I finished ribbing the right and left sleeves (K2P2). I also finished ribbing the right side. As the night wore on, I started to rib the left side and ran into a problem. This morning (5am), I saw my mistake. The left side ribbing was not matching the ribbing pattern on the right side. Somewhere I had managed to do K4 or P4 and threw off the rib pattern. I frogged the left side and started again.

Now, the cardi is done and sitting on SusieQ. I need to weave in the loose ends and pictures will be taken.

While finishing the cardi, I casted on the Cap Sleeve Pullover (by Jacqueline van Dillen) using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Coral Sunset. According to Ravelry, I now have 6 WIPs. I better start knitting like a mad woman or put some of the projects in hibernation until I can get some of the them completed.

My upcoming projects on the horizon are: Hey Teach by Helene Rush and a Pleat Neck Top by Coralie Meslin. For Hey Teach, I plan on using Debbie Bliss Stella in Denim color. For the Pleated Top, I will be using Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy in Aquamarine. Yes, it appears I'm in a pretty blue mood. :)

Both the Cap Sleeve Pullover and the Pleat Neck Top patterns are from the latest issue of Knit Simple Spring/Summer 09 magazine.

I wanted to leave this final picture. I just love this cardi on the cover of the latest Vogue Knitting mag. It's the Botanica Medallion Cardigan. I managed to snag this issue...hot off the B&N shelf a few weeks ago. I noticed some stores have ran out already. On Ravelry, there are currently 94 of these cardis started or finished. I must say they are gorgeous in all the colors I've seen. The lace scarf I'm currently knitting is also from this issue.

Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer '09 magazine cover

Knitting Updates

I have to say that knitting a simple lace pattern actually requires some quiet time. Focus time. A block of solitude time. I tried to knit this while watching TV, while at work, or while rushing to knit a section...only to have made mistakes. I decided not to frog any of the mistakes and just keep knitting. This will be my original piece of knit work. Lessons learned and a reminder of what not to do on my next lace scarf project.

Moving right along with the lace

One thing that helped me to knit the repeat pattern is to place stitch markers between the repeats and also at the side. Of course I got distracted and I missed some garter stitches on one side.

Using my stitch markers with this lace project


I'm still working on my weekend cardi. I'm in the body area where it's pretty much straight forward stockinette stitch. I only need to knit about 1-1/2 inches and then do the ribbing. Then I can move onto the sleeves and rib the front and neckline.

Progress being made

Back side view

I frogged my Plymouth Yarn Royal Llama Silk Shrug. It's been sitting on my needles for 2 months with no progress at all. I was halfway through knitting it and lost interest back in March. You know, it's one of those garments that just doesn't do anything for me. Since the Royal Llama Silk yarn is worsted weight, I know I won't have any problems finding a cute top to knit instead.

Plymouth Royal Llama Silk Shrug...frogged and gone


I found this fabulous yarn at my LYS. It reminds me of the beautiful Caribbean.

Lorna's Lace yarn in Georgetown color

What I've Been Up To

I have been splitting my time between sewing and knitting. I've been able to sew some simple tote bags to carry my knitting projects with me to work. I'm also sewing some clothes to wear at the LYS. Comfy is the key and nothing black as I have found lint is the main attraction at the end of the day.

I'm also trying to find some block of time to start up some beading projects. When I bead, I need to spread out my tools and vast variety of beads and then let the creativity begin. So, I've found a corner of my dining table for my beading activities where I can leave this hobby sitting and don't need to pack up everything when my block of time is up.


Here's a stitch marker I put together.

My stitch marker...Floral Bling

My friend, Sabine, came over last night and we had a great time knitting and chatting and knitting. I am really impressed with Sabine's knitting skills and her ability to jump in and start knitting again. She is adventurous. She is knitting a lace scarf and I'm sure she'll be finished before I see her again in a few days. Sabine...I'm cheering you on.

I've made extraordinary progress on my pink weekend cardi. I should be ready to separate the sleeves sometime today and start working on the body.

Weekend Retreat Cardi


I've also taken my Thick and Think Cardigan out of hibernation. The weather has been cooler and I've found the yearning to continue knitting this project. The yarn I'm using for this cardi is Blizzard. The ribbing will done using Cascade Superwash 220 in a similar blue color.

My version of the Thick and Thin Cardigan from the Fitted Knits book

Close up of the raglan area. I love how this was knitted


I've been working on the Plymouth Cotton Kisses baby sweater. Still knitting the back piece and progressing towards the neckline. Still not used to knitting with smaller size needles. I have to keep at it as I want to start working on some lace scarves in the near future.

Plymouth Cotton Kisses baby sweater

Just like some of you, storage has been an issue at my house especially with the many hobbies & interests I have. For those of you who don't know this...DH & I also have a third person living with us, my mother. So space is very, very limited.

I've ordered a ball winder from KnitPicks. I plan on winding all the skeins and hanks of yarn I have into balls of yarn. I can stack my "cakes" of yarn and store them better than the current system I have in place. Instead of purchasing an expensive swift, I'm making my own. Nothing fancy. Right now, I need to go and collect the parts that I have laying around the house and then visit my local Walmart for the other pieces. I will be back later with pictures. :)

Frogging & Rewinding and a New Project

While I was working at the LYS today, I got a chance to frog my weekend retreat cardi. It took me 20 minutes to undo several hours of knitting. I used the ball winder to rewind my yarn. What a lifesaver!

I went from this:

My first attempt at the weekend retreat cardi on SusieQ


To this:

The two balls on the right are the result of winding my frogged weekend retreat cardi

After using the ball winder...the ball of yarn was huge! I had to take the picture above to show you the size in comparison to the original skein.

I'm glad to say I've done 14 rows on my 2nd version of the cardi. That's progress.

I've also started another project called Candy Kisses. This kit includes 3 duck buttons, a whole ball of yarn to make a baby sweater, and instructions for 2 different sweater types. I'm knitting this sweater for a relative. This is my 3rd attempt to get started. For some reason, I've been having problems knitting this. It's been coming out a bit too loose. This is the first time, I'm knitting with smaller needles like size 5 for the ribbing. I'm not used to it. Wish me luck as I finish the ribbing and get into the body of the sweater.

Candy Kisses by Plymouth Yarns

Frogging Big Time!

I had finally put the sleeves of my weekend retreat cardi on stitch holders. I tried it on to find that the cardi is too big. I can cross over the front (without the ribbing). The armhole length is too long. I suspected this, but you can't really tell when the whole garment is crammed onto circular needles.

I will frog the cardi (all 55 rows) and start again. But I will have to wait.

I still have two untouched skeins of the pink Denim Style. I plan on knitting a smaller size (Small - 35") for my 2nd version. I will keep the 1st version so I have something to compare with. When I feel comfortable with the 2nd version, I will proceed with the frogging of the 1st and reuse the yarn.

Lesson well learned. I should go with the size closer to my full bust of 36".

Another Pic of My Cardi

I decided to stop knitting long enough to check the armhole length of my cardi. At first, I thought I was knitting it too long. I forgot that the ribbed neckline sits higher towards the neckline. So, the length from the pattern instructions should be fine on me.

Cardi on SusieQ


Every now and then I have thoughts of knitting merrily along and then find I'm way past the length I should be. So far, I haven't done that. Thank goodness. :)

Still Knitting, Here & There

I still have some needles going. The weather here is up and down, but still Spring-like. I've given up on up on knitting with thick or bulky yarn. So, I may have to put my Fitted Cardi on hold til the Fall. Not a problem. I have a bin ready for WIPs that won't be completed anytime soon. Never thought I would come to this.

Also, going into the WIP bin is my blue thick and thin cardigan. I'm finding that the Blizzard yarn is kind of linty. While knitting, I'm finding a lot of lint falling off my cardigan. That can't be a good sign! I've lost interest in this project. Into the bin it goes.

I'm still working on my pink "cropped raglan sweater cardi". Making some progress. Getting close to placing the sleeves on the holders. Once that is done, the knitting will get faster. As long as I don't start another project, I hope to get this completed by the end of this month. I love knitting with the Bernat DenimStyle yarn.

Making some progress

I found two buttons that match my blue Malabrigo Shrug This. I also found some thick beading elastic to use as a toggle for the two buttons. If that doesn't work, I also found some blue soutache to make into a toggle. I will more than likely make the two versions to see which one works the best. Will post my findings. :)

Speaking of the many versions of Shrug This that I've knitted, looks like I will get to teach that pattern at my LYS. How cool is that?

I came across a preview for the next Interweave KNITS magazine coming out in May.

I'm thinking of making my own stitch markers. Since I have been making my own necklaces and have all the beads and tools available, I thought I would give it a try. If they turn out okay, I will be back with a post and let you decide.

Happy Knitting!

Another WIP and New Needles

I've casted on another cardi yesterday. This pattern Weekend Retreat Cardi is from Lion Brand and it's free. It's also featured in the April 2008 issue of Knit 'n Style magazine. I dug around in my yarn stash and came up with this beautiful Denim Style Weathered Rose yarn from Bernat. Over the years, I have collected several other colors and I finally found a pattern that will work great with this yarn.

It's another top down raglan cardigan, but a longer version. This pattern includes different sizes instead of "one size fits all" pattern I previously knitted. I love this heathered pink color.

My Weekend Retreat Cardi in Weathered Rose

Lion Brand Weekend Retreat Cardi

It's a slow knit (no chunky yarn here). I'm actually enjoying my knitting time with this project. That's because I'm using my brand new Skacel Addi Turbo circular knitting needles. This needle is a joy to use. I was having a problem knitting this yarn with my Takumi Velvet bamboo needles. I noticed the yarn wasn't gliding along smoothly on the bamboo needle. Once I tried these Addi Turbos, I was hooked!

Happy Knitting!