FO: Grannie Smith Cardigan

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful that I've finally finished my Grannie Smith Cardigan and -- even better -- that I'm thrilled with it.


When I chose this project, it was because I wanted a very wearable cardigan, the kind that I would buy. The pattern calls for Kidsilk Haze, but I decided to use Lorna's Lace's Shepherd Sock yarn, and I'd definitely recommend it (or any sock yarn) as a substitute. (I used seven 50-gram skeins.) I followed the pattern exactly as written, for the 40" size, except for the button band; more on that later. I'm very happy with the fit. I knit the five pieces and blocked them, but once I'd assembled the whole thing, it was too small all over. I reblocked the finished sweater according to the measurements of another cardigan that fits perfectly, and the result is a perfect fit. I like that I can wear it all buttoned up, but it's more likely that I'll just button a couple at the top. That's what I usually do.




You may have noticed that the top button is not in line with the others. The Grannie Smith pattern says to make five buttonholes evenly spaced along the button band, and then to add the neckband. I wanted to change it a bit; so the buttons would be closer together and so they would go right to the top, I planned to make six holes in the button band and one in the neckband. It wasn't until I was seaming the sides and sleeves that I realized I'd forgotten to make the buttonhole in the neckband. Crap!! I wasn't about to undo the seaming I'd done and the whole neckband, so in the end I just added a loop at the edge of the neckband. That's why the top button is over a little bit. I can live with it.


You can see that I went with the pearly grey buttons after all. Mostly I chose them over the red ball-buttons because I thought these ones would be less likely to slip out of the buttonholes. Overall, I enjoyed making this cardigan, and I think I'll wear it a lot. It's a great pattern, I love the yarn, it fits well, and it can be dressed up or down. I'm so, so pleased with it. I think I'll wear it tomorrow when I celebrate my birthday by voting!