patti cardi

I think I love it. (Don't let that sourpuss in the photo fool you.) Patti is complete and yes, there are some things that could be better, but overall, the fit is excellent, I really like the color, and it looks just like something I would buy for myself (except that I spent 3 months knitting it instead). I used 8 skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed, on size 3 and 5 needles. I almost had to get into that 9th skein of yarn for the seaming, but I just made it with 8. The length of the sleeves and the body are right where I'd like them to be, and there's a little extra room in the armholes, but that's no biggie. The button band is pulling a little. 5 buttons would have been better than 3, but maybe I'll move the buttons over a smidge so that it's less noticeable.

I really love the pleats. Yeah, they give the garment (and the wearer) a triangular shape, and so maybe the swing jacket thing IS kinda trendy right now, but I can't help it! --- I still think the style is cute. And I'm no longer worried about coworkers thinking I'm pregnant. I just make sure I don't wear swingy sweaters two days in a row! :) The construction of the pleats is very cool. The stitches that make up the pleats are slipped on every other row, so the fabric just wants to fold that way on its own and they're nice and crisp. Hopefully this sweater will behave itself and hold its shape. If so, this may now be the handknit I wear the most!

(There are a couple more pics on Flickr.)