Chevron Lace Cardigan ~ Finished Object ~ IN LOVE!

Well, HELLO!!

I hope this post finds you well today! I wanted to tell you about my new sweatah!

I have to say… I’ve made a few sweaters before (knitted not crocheted) and haven’t worn them (much). I loved making them (for the most part), really liked the final results… attempted to wear them…. and ended up not. (Well, maybe once or twice… okay okay). 🙂

But I just finished up this gorgeous Chevron Lace Cardigan (which is a free pattern on Ravelry) and have already worn it and have gotten tons of compliments! I AM IN LOVE!

Okay, first of all, if you know how to knit AND crochet, definitely try crocheting a sweater.

So.

Much.

Faster.

I know crafting isn’t all about the speed, but hey… sometimes it is! The faster we are, the more we can create! And I am addicted to productivity and accomplishment.

I whipped this sweater out in a week. Boom. DONE!

Don’t let the thought of a sweater intimidate you… just start! If you get stuck on the pattern, there are LOADS of projects on Ravelry and you can browse through there and see what others have done. And look at the pictures.

I found this pattern super easy to understand. And I made some mods! So here’s what I did along with tips for what you should do if making it:

1. Start with a REEALLLY loose starting chain. The starting chain creates the neck and I did mine too tightly. I should know better after all these years of crocheting, but alas. I felt like I wouldn’t have gotten those puckers around the neckline if my starting chain had been a bit looser. More loose. Loosier goosier.
2. I started with the recommended J hook, but when I got down to the waist (you work your way down from top to bottom), I switched to an H hook. I wanted an I but couldn’t find mine. This helped to prevent any weird flare out or stretching at the bottom. TOTALLY happy with this decision! It really helped to bring in the waist area!

1. I also used the H hook on the sleeves. They fit just fine but are ALMOST too tight. Wish I had used the J hook so they’d be just a smidge looser.
2. I knitted (Gasp! Combining knitting and crocheting into one piece? Yep) the bottom of the sweater and the bottom of the sleeves. I did a basic 1×1 rib stitch, for a nice, smooth, professional finish. How do you do this? Well…—>
3. Before starting the ribbing, I attempted to even out the bottom first. It was wavy because this is a chevron pattern. I didn’t want my knitted rib to be puckery, so I did a quick crochet row around (and I did the same thing on the sleeves too) to even out the bottom and make it more smooth/straight. Basically where the pattern dipped, I did double crochets. Where it peaked, I did single crochets. So I worked 6 single crochets over the peaks, did a half double crochet, 2 double crochets, a half double crochet, and then started over with the 6 single crochets… around and around. This created a nice smooth edge.
4. Then I picked up one loop in each stitch around with my knitting needle and just proceeded to knit. Quite easy really!

1. I opted for 3/4 length sleeves as it’s still chilly here in Alaska and plus I thought it was a good length to draw attention to my waist, which is a feature I try to highlight. Show off the good stuff, hide the less than good stuff!

OTHER INFO:

YARN: I used just over 3 skeins of my DK weight 100% Pure Cashmere. It. Is. Heaven. Soft. Soft. Soft. But holds its shape well and should last for years to come! Colors change all the time in my shop, but this is my Blue Periwinkle. If I had made the sleeves just a row or two shorter, 3 skeins would have been enough. (I made the smallest size.)

STYLING OPTIONS: With this blue, I opted to wear it over a cream dress with neutral/brown and gold jewelry. Worked out well! I actually chose the color and length of the sweater to go with jeans. So I’ll try it soon like that and see how that works!

HOOKS: I used the J like the pattern called for, and switched to an H when I got to the waist. I also used an H for the arms, but wish I had used the J.

NEEDLES: For the knitting needles, I used US size 7.

TIME: It took me 1 week to make this and I didn’t even have to “push” myself. It was enjoyable the whole way! After a week, I start to lose interest. After 2 weeks, I’m usually bored to tears and forcing myself to finish something. 3 weeks or more… forget it. It just becomes torturously boring. So I now only choose projects I can finish quickly. A 1-week sweater is AWESOMMMMEEE!

BUTTONS? I did actually make a wee button hole while crocheting around the front and neckline (by doing a chain 3 and skipping 3 stitches), but decided on not using it. I don’t think I’ll ever button it, but will just let it hang. And I thought just 1 button would look strange anyways.

So there you have it! I hope this inspires you to give sweater crocheting a try! It’s so rewarding and ultra-quick.

I’ve already started on my next pattern which I’ll tell you about soon!

Enjoy your day… I’m headed out for some chia pudding and a steamer at our local coffee shop. Spring is here in Alaska and everything is sunny and drippy and meltingggg! Oh! The gloriousness of coming out of a long, dark winter into the first hints of spring! Love. IT!

Find some time today to be good to yourself and do some crafting. It’s good for the soul. And my motto is, the happier you are, the happier others around you will be!

Over and out!

XOXOXO

Chandi

P.S. Please comment below and let me know what you think about the sweater! Have you ever made one and if not, what’s holding you back?