Getting to know Elizabeth Bennet

Hey everyone!

It's been some time since I posted here.  After a flurry finishing several fitted knits projects (drop stitch tank, bold and bulky cardi,  cropped cardi with(out) leaf ties), I took some time off to do some knits by (gasp!) other designers. 

Now that the weather is getting cooler I'm interested in starting a winter sweater and have selected the Elizabeth Bennet Cabled Cardigan.

I swatched night before last (although I don't really trust those little swatch guys at all) and then cast on last night.

I'm looking forward to working on this sweater. I purchased the called for yarn (got it on sale in a color discontinuation deal) and find it very soothing. I'm a little wary going into the sweater... not too many people seem to have completed this project thus far. Is it because it looks intimidating? It did to me when I first bought the yarn. Is it because it's hard to get gauge (I seem not to get the same gauge as Stephanie with any of her patterns even using the recommended yarn)? Do people not like the look of the sweater? I do so I guess that part doesn't matter.

Concerns aside, I've made my best guess about the size to knit and have started the journey. I'm hoping the pattern is accurate (without the security of previous completed projects I do think about this).

My guess is that this sweater will take some time to complete so I may stop in once and awhile just to give an update rather than waiting for the final FO. I may post about it in between at my own blog too.

I'm enjoying reading about everyone else's progress... keep up the good work everyone!

Comments

[robin]

I will look forward to seeing your progress. I have considered making this but was unsure if it would look good on me b/c it's very closed up on the neck and chest. I really like the yarn too and many times I have thought about buying it at WEBS - and may still do so this weekend at Stitches!!!

And on the gauge issue, I think Stefanie must knit on the loose side, because I do as well, and I get her gauge every.time. I usually have to go down one to two needle sizes with almost every other designer. LOL!

[jsins]

I love this sweater and have it in my queue (and have purchased the yarn.) I think my next fitted knits project is going to be the puffed sleeve cardy as I think I will get a lot of wear out of it in early fall before it gets too cold and then I am going to do the Elizabeth Bennett cardigan. I can't wait to see how yours turns out!

[Polly]

I made this cardigan too! I don't know why it isn't more popular. I really like mine and it was great fun to make.

I suspect a lot of people are put off by the yarn. It's quite pricey, and while it is very soft and cosy, it's a bit sheddy - you might need to employ a lackey to follow you round with a hoover. It's worth knowing though that I used *under half* the recommended amount of yarn - which makes it a considerably cheaper undertaking.

Another thing I should mention is that the cuffs as described in the pattern are a little weird. They're reeeeaally flarey, and not in any of the pictures in the book. I would see if you can find a picture of them on the internet before you start that bit, to see if you like them as is, or want to make any mods (i totally changed my cuffs).

some more details of my attempts to make this on my blog here:
http://bornknitty.blogspot.com/search/label/cardigan

also in my ravelry notebook, if you use that (i'm rubbishknitter)

good luck! :)

[Cecilia]

I want to make this one, too - in the yellow I saw on here (I totally fell in love with the yellow). But I can't find the Cloud 9 (or any angora blend similar color) anywhere! So frustrating...

[LizKnits]

Polly's yellow version is beautiful... you helped to convince me I should take this is.

Cecilia, I was able to purchase the yarn online from webs... yarn.com

They have a good selection of colors and mine was on sale as they are discontinuing the color.

Good luck finding your yellow!

[Cecilia]

Really? It looked like it was made in the 'darker' yellow, which webs doesn't have. Hmm... Now, I'm seriously questioning the yarn amount given/needed for this, too. I mean, would one really need that much? Theoretically, it says I need 19 balls - that's insane! I just can't imagine it needing that much (based on general experience)...???

[Samantha]

I look forward to seeing your progess, too! I just picked up a copy of Fitted Knits this week, and this cardigan immediately stole my heart. I'm a little nervous about trying it, though, since most of my projects so far have been small (scarves, hats, socks). But this design is so charming, I want to give it a shot!

[Polly]

wow... i never thought other people would like the yellow! thanks :)

I still have 10 balls left. Yes, more than half the recommended 19! So I should really put them on ebay as there is plenty there for someone to make another one. The colour was discontinued, so I got it on spesh from Webs. I'll try and sort that out, and i'll maybe post the ebay link when it's up, for other yellow-lovers...