The Color of Prosperity
As I've mentioned earlier, the red Cascade Tweed is the recommended yarn for Stephanie Japel's Forecast. I've been working on it for a while now, and have spared you the in-progress shots of the bobbles on this cardigan. Trust me - it looked like ugly tumors. There was no question that it needed a good blocking. But boy does this yarn bleed....
And look at the stain on my Denise needles! 
But the results are worth it. I just have to remind myself not to wear any white shirts underneath. Or maybe wash it with vinegar next time.. Chinese New Year is around the corner, and even though my family is split over 3 countries, sometimes it's nice to conjur a little bit of celebration. I'm glad I found this yarn in red, because RED is the color of prosperity. I hope this new year ahead brings good things. 
Pattern: ForecastMaterials: Cascade Tweed (less than 4 and a half ball at 220 yds/ 100g), US Sz 5 and 7 needles
Gauge: 16 sts and 32 rows to 4" in garter stitch on US 7 needles
Notes: Ah.. changes. The smallest size in the pattern was for a 32.5" chest, and the next larger one a 36.5". Now I fall somewhere in between, and there was no schematic in the pattern, so I calculated for a 33.5" measurement. The armpit at the yoke looked pretty short, and I was worried for a while that it wouldn't fit, but I figured the yarn is sproingy enough to accomodate. This is basically the top-down raglan with interesting details. You are more than allowed to try it on as you go along. Now for the bobbles, initially I knit the 5-sts bobble stated in the pattern, but didn't quite like it. They just stuck out too much for me. I want textural interest, but something a little less protruding - in the end I changed it to a 3-sts bobble. Here's a picture of my bobbles...
One additional change was the sleeves. In the original pattern, the bobble/cable feature extended to almost wrist length. Aside from the fact that I was a bit tired of knitting bobbles, I didn't want my lower arms to look, um, so billowy. I decided to stop the bobbles at elbow length, and knit the rest to my wrist with Sz 7 needles. I made the sleeves 20" long, which is still a bit short in reality, but knowing that I would dunk the sweater in water during blocking assured me that the arms would grow in length - and I was right. It came out to 23" - perfect for me. Oh and the yarn, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I expected it to be a bit rough, it being tweed and all, but on the contrary, it's springy, not itchy and shows the pattern quite well. 
And here's another gratuitous shot. Just because. I think it means I like it.
Labels: FO
posted by winnie @ 2:20 AM
55 Comments:
I wanted to knit that cardigan the moment I saw it but now I've seen yours I REALLY want to knit it. I love the red and the alterations you made, Winnie. Great job!!
It looks so lovely, your mods really made the sweater very chic (so Ill have to copy you of course). Did you lengthen the body as well?
Who knew cascade bled so much!? Great color though and so festive. Definitely a great fo for the new year
Fantastic sweater! The changes you made really enhance the sweater. And it fits so well on you. I would never have made this sweater, but now seeing yours? I'm scouring my stash for a good yarn!
Wow, that came out beautiful, the color, the shape, the way it looks on you! Enjoy!
Absolutely gorgeous! You have inspired me to consider this as the sweater to make for my uber-fashionista sister. It looks perfect on you!
Oooh, you look fantastic in it! I like the color on you. And its so totally appropriate for Chinese New Year. Haha.
Wow, that looks great! I love how you changed it up, it looks 100% better!
I didn't think this sweater was "me" when i first saw it, but now I lust for yours. ;) I think if (when!) I make it, I'll change the sleeves like you did. And happy Chinese New Year!
Winnie, it's gorgeous!! The color is great and the sweater suits you very, very well!! Congratulations on a beautiful FO!
It's beautiful! I wasn't a fan of the pattern in Knitty at all but really like your version of it.
oh my god that is so gorgeous and flattering on you. i didn't take a second glance at the original, but did a triple take on yours. altering the sleeves was a good move - your version looks so much better. nicely done girl!
Congratulations on a gorgeous sweater! It looks fantastic on you and I like the changes you made in the bobble size and the sleeves.
Oh. This is gorgeous. I adore the way that you lengthened the sleeves and bodice to fit you better. I thought the original version was a bit too cropped. But that's the beauty of top-down-ness, isn't it? Well done, well done!
Gung Hay Fat Choy (early)!
Your version looks quite sleek and sophisticated.. love it! Great choice on the bobble size and sleeves.
Fabulous, as usual :)
crazy staining action! good to know about that yarn...
i was considering this top, but like you, i noticed i was between sizes.
i like the details; your alterations make cleaner lines and the sleeves are less distracting...might just be the color, which is also very attractive (despite the staining).
and GREAT button choice! sorry, but i have a new fetish with buttons lately.
AWESOME! I love your mods. I may have to copy you on this one, too... daaaaaaym woman. You rock!
I think your version is so much more nicer. Well done. Love the colour too.
Awesome! I'm impressed that you knit all those bobbles. I would have gone crazy-insane.
That is a great sweater on you. Your modifications made it perfect.
Wow, I really love the color, it came out great and i love your modifications! Gosh, you are a fast + skilled knitter!
Awesome knit!
I like yours better than Stefanie's blue one!
Oh it looks fantastic! wow!
I swear you can make anything look cute!
I thought that sweater was fug to start with, but I think you have changed my mind!
i think it means i like it. HMPH. show off. *continues to knit socks* ^_~
Ooooh, I love it! I especially love the sleeves! Great work! :-)
aw man, stop it! that is one gorgeous cardi! love the colour and the mods and it looks absolutely fantastic on you. way to go, winnie!
winnine, it's beautiful! did you lengthen it too? i love how graceful it looks on you, and the collar before didn't catch my attention at all but with yours, it really looks great. and the buttons, great choice.
go you, great job ;)
All I can say is WOW! Beautiful sweater.
Your Forecast is just gorgeous!! You always do beautiful work. I love the modifications you made, too. Awesome job! Take care! :-)
I just love your pictures. This is how I want my sweaters to fit me. After loosing 50 lbs. of weight and keeping it off for a couple of years now, I don't want oversized body hiding sweaters. I am a fairly new knitter, and my first sweater that I finished recently was waaaayyyy to big, now I am on my second one, and thanks to your pictures and insite, I feel more confident that this one will fit much, much better. THANKS!
This sweater didn't really catch my eye when it the pattern first came out, but wow, it looks gorgeous on you! And of course the color is perfect for CNY!
I just really love this pattern and your version is gorgeous! I love the lengthened torso. Beautiful job.
OOhhhhhh...wow. This looks amazing. I was shocked to not really love this pattern (because I love almost everything the Glampyre creates), but this changes things. Good call on the bobble reduction, and did you knit it longer, or was that just yarn stretch? It looks fabulous.
Your sweater is just beautiful. I really love the modifications you made as well. I didn't like the pattern so much when I first saw it on Knitty, but your version is fantastic. I think if I knit this in the future, I will adjust it the way you did with the smaller bobbles and changed the sleeves. I'll now be hunting through my lys's for the right color of the Cascade Tweed.
Hey, great color and I'm glad to see that you don't have to be Stefanie Japel sized to pull off this sweater. Looks great on you!
This looks much better than the original. Your work and results make the pattern a MUST MAKE. Do you mind saying at one point how you re-adjusted the pattern to accommodate those who fall between the 32.5 and 36.5 size range?
Wow gorgeous sweater! You did such a great job. Your version definitely look so much better than the original.
Love your sleeve treatment, absolutely gorgeous!
That looks lovely! I love the color!
nothing new to say, just want to add that it looks fabulous. oh goodness, i might need to knit this now ...
Wow, it's fantastic! You've done an absolutely perfect job. I love your alterations as well, and then... well you've used one of my all time fave colours, so I couldn't not like it! :)
Wow wow wow, you have definitely put this on my do knit list! Love everything - the color, the fit, the bobbles and the sleeves! Beautiful work.
oh. my god.
when i first saw this pattern i could only say "ehn." it didn't do anything for me.
then i saw yours & thought "maybe i'm thinking of a different pattern" so i clicked the knitty link & was all "oh, nope, same boring thing."
but yours is *amazing*
i am drooling onto my keyboard here! it is so beautiful!!! i am now totally knitting this thing!!!
gorgeous! I adore it! I saw it on glampyre's blog & thought, oh man, that is amazing!!!!
Wow! I'm speachless! That is a beautiful sweater, great job!!
Yay winnie, it's beautiful !! I kinda really liked the original version, but not the color choice, and like sbdy didn't think that sweater was "me".. until now!! You may have made another convert, I think I'll use up my grey yarn for it ! :-D
Winnie:
It is really quite lovely and very stylish, I like your changes. I am doing my 2nd Glampyre and will soon start on my third. Your work is outstanding. I do appreciate your changes and comments to your changes.
I love the changes you made! I'll definitely use them when I knit my Forecast. I don't have the Cascade tweed, but I'm using Cascade 100% Peruvian Wool, Pepper. Now I can't wait to make mine!
I really like the modifications you made for it as well. I remembered seeing this pattern before, but kind of forgot about it. Now I'm thinking I've got some tweedy yarn in my stash that I could use or I even have some Cascade 220 that's not a tweed, but it is a heathered color that I never had any plans for, but bought just because I liked the color, so that might be the lan for that yarn!
It's wonderful to see a handknit that fits the knitter perfectly. It's awesome!
I'm amazed how I can see a pattern and be kind of "eh..." about it, and then I see your version and it always looks absolutely gorgeous! Very impressive work! And the argyle is looking beautiful. I've been looking for an argyle pattern for a while now. Can't wait to see how yours turns out!
I love that Cascade Tweed. The cardi looks wonderful on you. Happy New Year!!!
Wonderful! I like yours SO much better than the original.
Great work Winnie! Honestly, I didn't see anything in the original, but your version is inspiring.
Post a Comment
<< Home