Alright, alright - enough teasing. I present to you, the Dreamcatcher Cardigan:
I imagine myself walking down the sidewalk, looking as normal as can be from the front.
Then I walk past some people waiting for the T. As I walk by, this is what they see. (What is on that girl's back?)
And then I walk past, adjust my sweater and it's like BAM! You weren't expecting THIS, were you?!
The Pattern: Dreamcatcher Cardigan by Teva Durahm from the Loop-d-Loop book
The Yarn: Elann Peruvian Highland Wool in Spiced wine
Needles: US 7, all circular except for the little flap around the back of the neck and the end of the medallion, which were knit with dpns.
Other details:
A close up of the color. It's really beautiful, I think.
Da Buttons. They're made out of copper! This does not accurately capture their color - they are much darker and go really well with the sweater. I got them at Windsor Button in Boston.
What can I say about this sweater? I think it is up there as one of the best things I've ever made. Once I got over feeling like Teva was challenging me at the beginning of the pattern to be a tough knitter, It went really smoothly. It was a boat load of stockinette and while I was working on the sleeves I began to feel like I would never finish, but I'm so glad I soldiered through it. I LOVE this sweater. love, love, love it! I know I will wear it all the time.
Everyone seems to ask about the medallion part so let me tell you - it is not as hard as it looks. It's basically knitting in the round, decreasing a lot, and wrapping the yarn 3 times for every stitch on certain rows. That is all! Really! It's super easy!
I made the sleeves about 2 inches longer than the pattern called for, just because I like sleeves that way. They set in the spaces knit for them on the body perfectly, a fact that has not often been true for me and the sweaters I have knit. I am amazed how smoothly the finishing went.
I actually have wondered whether I should have made a bigger size, but it's no matter. I love it! I love it! (did I mention I love it? well, i do.)
Wow...very cool. You mention at the end that you are questioning whether you should have knit a bigger size (in the pictures it looks like it fits well)..if you don't mind, what size did you make, and do you feel that your finished sweater varied from the measurements quoted in the book? Thanks...and great job.
Posted by: Kari | October 09, 2005 at 05:22 PM
i love the 'BAM'. your cardigan is so cool!
Posted by: lynette | October 09, 2005 at 07:12 PM
Oh yeah! It is so cool, maybe I'll get to see it in person?
Posted by: Johanna | October 09, 2005 at 08:11 PM
wow! that looks fantastic. the fit is perfect, the colour is gorgeous and it absolutely suits you 100%! i love the idea of people being surprised when you walk past them in the street.
congratulations on a great FO.
Posted by: jacqueline | October 10, 2005 at 04:23 AM
Wow, that is impressive! It looks so great on you! Perfect for Boston in the fall!
Posted by: megan | October 10, 2005 at 07:48 AM
holy friggin' crap that thing is awesome! i agree with the other commenters in that it fits you to a tee. any bigger and it would have been bulky. i'm with you on the long sleeves. the longer the sleeves the better. that's what i always say. really, it is.
are you ever coming back here? i miss our walks. nicole won't do it, and steve is a boy.
Posted by: totally impressed barrie | October 10, 2005 at 09:38 AM
maya, this sweater is fabulous! so hot! no wonder in some knitting circles you are known as The Godmother.
Posted by: kelly | October 10, 2005 at 10:44 AM
That sweater looks awesome!!! You did a great job as usual!
Posted by: Stefanie | October 10, 2005 at 12:20 PM
kelly- i think in our circle she was known as the knitting messiah. but the godmother works too. as well as queen knitter, anne of green knitters, the beast, ala knitter, or as i would say everytime she came in the door, MAYARN!!!!! (but i don't think she liked that one after awhile...)
Posted by: correcting barrie | October 10, 2005 at 03:43 PM
This cardigan is a work of art, Maya. Absolutely gorgeous. The more I see it, the more I want to make it! Fantastic job on it :)
Posted by: Lolly | October 10, 2005 at 07:26 PM
How weird. I have been MIA as of late again due to a cold and just today I was thinking..."I bet Maya is done with the reamcatcher sweater."
Funny how people you have never met sneak into your thoughts randomly.
Looks gorgeous.
Posted by: Stacey | October 10, 2005 at 09:48 PM
WOW! That is a totally beautiful sweater! It looks really hard...but so worth it. Congrats on a fabulous finished product!
P.S. We are sad you won't be at Rhinebeck :( but another time!
Posted by: Carrie | October 10, 2005 at 11:55 PM
That is really cute! I love the color and I think it fits just perfect. Hurray for FOs!
Posted by: Kristin | October 11, 2005 at 09:40 AM
So fab, Maya- I love it! I'm very tempted!
Posted by: Cathi | October 11, 2005 at 11:34 AM
i'm just putting this comment in so that you'll have the most comments on your site ever! if that's true, then what a success@!!! keep it up!
p.s. i'm bored. can you tell?
Posted by: filler barrie | October 11, 2005 at 04:23 PM
Coming out of lurkdom to gush about how beautiful your sweater turned out! I just love it. The medallion part is absolutely gorgeous. Seeing yours has made me want to make one!
Posted by: Cyndi | October 11, 2005 at 05:04 PM
Stunning. But now I have that damn song stuck in my head.
Posted by: Lauren | October 12, 2005 at 04:47 PM
Awesome Dreamcatcher! I love the colors and the buttons and everything!!!
Isn't it nice when your hard work pays off and you get something you actually like???
Posted by: Sarah | October 18, 2005 at 04:04 PM
oh my goodness! it looks fantastic!! i think you made the right size, definitely. just a beautiful job.
Posted by: carrie m | October 19, 2005 at 11:36 AM
Wow, that sweater is stunning on you! The first time I saw that sweater was at Rhinebeck on Sarah and it was such a surprise, just like you say. Yours is gorgeous!
Posted by: alison | October 24, 2005 at 10:49 AM