Elderberry Hirne

Notes

02-03-2024
Yarn arrived yesterday. After working up a swatch, I’ve changed my mind on the project for this yarn. I’m thinking this more rustic, cardigan will match the yarn vibes better than my original plans. My 4” Gauge on 6s is 23sts/32-34 rows. As always… I will have to add rows in the yoke section.

Steeking will be something new for me to try out. I’m hoping it will work out okay even though I’m not using wool. Feels like a bit of a gamble, but I think I can make it work.

02-05-2024
After a few false starts while I was playing with cast on methods and needle sizes… and then trying to decide on which size to make, this is now a WIP. I decided on size 5s for the ribbing and 6s for the body and will be making the size 4. It might be a bit big… I normally shoot for a 39-40 inch finished bust, but I wanted the extra stitches in the sleeve portion… and my gauge is likely to end up a bit tighter anyway.

I’ve also decided against steeking with this yarn so I’ve cast on 226 sts flat, giving myself 2 sts on other side to pick up stitches from for the button band.

I added 3 extra rounds to the ribbing to account for my row gauge.

02-09-2024
First skein ran out when I reached 12.5 inches of the body. Almost ready to set the body aside and start on the sleeves. Hoping to get the first sleeve cast on this evening.

Sleeve cast on. Worked 3 extra rounds of ribbing to account for row gauge.

02-10-2024
I switched to my circular shortie needles too soon and realized after a few inches that it was stretching out the row gauge too much. I ripped back about 3 inches and went back to using DPNs… the fabric is looking much better now.

02-12-2024
I finished the first sleeve but I think I may redo it. First of all, when I did end up switching to my circular shorties I had size 5 tips on, not 6s. Ugg. So the last 3 inches need to be ripped back anyway. But I think I may make a few additional modifications.

I think I’m going to add 4 sts in the first first knit row after the ribbing. I feel like I could use a bit more ease in the wrist to fit over a long sleeve tee. I K5, KFB, K11, KFB, K11, KFB, K11, KFB, K6. I’m also going to add an extra row between each increase to adjust for my row gauge and extend the tapper.

I’m not going to frog the first one yet and see which version I like better… then redo the other to match.

02-16-2024
Finished the second sleeve yesterday and liked the fit much better. Those 4 extra sts give just enough ease to wear it over a long sleeve tee comfortably. I will have to address them in the yoke section with a couple extra raglan decreases before I start the charted portion, but that will work out well since I needed to add at least an inch into the yoke because of my row gauge anyway. I also knit an extra half inch of length.

So I ripped back the first sleeve to the ribbing and am now re-knitting it to match.

I’m hoping to have everything joined together and the yoke started sometime over the weekend.

02-18-2024
Joined it all together yesterday. I split the 4 extra sts from the sleeves between the sleeves and body, so I can remove them with an extra raglan row.

I need to add at least 10 rows to the yoke to make up for my row gauge, so I started with these 8 rows…
K row, P row, K row, P row, K row with raglan decreases (8 total – which takes out the extra sts that I added to the sleeves), P row, K row, P row.

Then when I the set up rows from the pattern, I purled across on the wrong side, which added another 6 rows.
So I’ve added 14 rows to the yoke. Hopefully that wasn’t too many.

I’m now working on the chart.

02-22-2024
Finished the yoke and collar. I did add the short rows. I also used the kitchener stitch to graft the underarms. I picked up an extra stitch on either side of each set of resting sleeve stitches for 12 total on each needle.

I wove in all my ends and steamed blocked the piece.

I’m now ready to work the button band.

02-24-2024
For the button bands I ended up picking up 148 sts. I wanted an extra st at the top and bottom so my ribbing started and ended with 3 knits instead of 2… since the edge st always curls under. I think that makes it look neater.

For the button holes… I only knit 2 i-cord rows and BO only 1 st… since I have smaller buttons. The button holes are pretty much invisible.

I now just have to sew on my buttons.

02-24-2024
Done! Love it!

I sewed the buttons on with 3 strands of embroidery floss. The only thing I might adjust is moving the buttons over so that they are closer to the i-cord edge. That way when it is buttoned up the button hole i-cord looks like it is centered on the button band better, but I may wait and see how often I wear it closed vs open since I like the button placement when it isn’t closed.

Overall I’m very happy with this cardigan and think it will get a lot of use. I love how it feels a little bit fancy with the lace, but the rustic deminy yarn makes its a super easy to wear every day piece. An elevated basic.

02-24-2024
A couple notes on the pattern… I don’t love the 2 purl stitches on either side of the lace along the button band. I would knit those if I were to make another.

As for fit… I’m pretty happy with it, but I haven’t measured the finished piece yet. I’m glad I added the extra 4 sts to the sleeve width but I probably should have skipped adding 4-6 rows to the yoke… I added 14 total and my math suggested I needed 10…. my math was correct ;).

I love this yarn. I have worked with remix worsted before and I know that it is soft to wear, but it does pill a ton. I will be interested to see how this lighter version wears. I love the texture of it… although I do pull out some of the grassy linen bits while knitting. I used almost every bit of 3 skeins of yarn. I have one full skein left over.