And finished:
DETAILS
Pattern: Alexandra Ballerina Top, from Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits
Size: 38", but FK patterns run large! My gauge was small, so this worked out perfectly.
Yarn: RYC Soft Tweed in Kingfisher, 8 balls
Needles: US 10.5
Time: TEN DAYS!!!
Thoughts, Mods, and Lessons Learned:
I didn't want a "cropped" look, so I used just about every last bit of yarn on the length. But after final blocking, I discovered that it was too long, so I had to rip back and shorten it. I'm pleased with the final length.
My best discovery during this knit was the miracle of back darts, now my most favorite shaping tool. I'm very short-waisted, so I'm a little leery of waist shaping, as it can exaggerate my squashed torso. However, the darts created a sleek, unfussy, and flattering fit -- woohoo!
I went back and forth on the yarn as I was knitting, but now that I'm finished, I'm glad I used it. RYC Soft Tweed isn't plied -- it's most like one felted-looking strand -- so I wasn't sure if it was the most suitable thing for cables. But once I blocked and shaped the cables, everything looked much better. The best thing the yarn's got going for it is the content: 56% Wool/20% Viscose/14% Polyamide/10% Silk. It's soft and cozy without being suffocatingly heavy and hot.
This is my third adult sweater, and it's definitely a keeper. :)
