Tangled Yoke FO!!!!!

Wow! That title was a blast to type! (a mere 13 months since I cast on and just like that its done!)

Before I get into the meat of the matter here today let me say this is an awesome pattern and my "issues" were just that - all mine. For my level of knitting I needed full concentration to correctly follow the chart and accompanying directions. I repeatedly tried to work on this without such focus and so made mistakes that took time to correct.

Eunny. Rules! Just look...

Pattern: Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang

Source: Interweave Knits Magazine Fall 2007 (Eunny's first as Editor - the one that completely sold out!)

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed

Colour: Clover

Needles: Addi Turbo 3.75mm circular, 3.5 mm dpns, 2mm circular 

Start: January 29, 2009 Finish: February 28, 2010

Modifications: None

Its a brilliant use of the "Felted" Tweed as the flat, smooth texture of the yarn in stockinette beautifully sets off the detail in the fabulous yoke.

The infinite line stockinette cables don't rise from a garter stitch or otherwise contrasting background yet they sit tall and pop, highlighted by their origins in the bobbles flanking the button bands. The "instant creation" and  ultimate "destruction" of stitches within the chart using 5in1 increases and decreases feels so radical yet the finished product really belies their existence at all.

Then the halo of the Alpaca content really sings out at the yoke further highlighting it and distinguishing it from the surrounding plain of stockinette.

The dressmaker details, in this pattern that's free from errata are added with clever stitching and thoughtful construction...

Faux side seams break up the expanse of stockinette between the extended garter rib and the yoke while  carrying the eye up from the accent of the paired decreases at the waist.

By continuing down the sleeves the faux seams unify the strong horizontal elements of the linear ribbing with the serpentine cables above.

Short row shaping at the back above the yoke and a turned over collar fastened with three needle bind off... 

                                        

yields a neckline that feels stable and strong enough to resist drooping at the shoulders. It also lies beautifully about the base of the neck with no gaping.

The sleeves are the perfect length and the fabric feels so light, I doubt stretching will be an issue...

I knit to gauge and wanted to see what gauge gave me without messing with it so I blocked to have the stockinette look uniform and to ease out puckering around the cables without regard for the pattern-specified measurements. 

The yoke sits where it should, just as it should. No pulling, no drooping.

I used pearly white buttons sewn on with baby blue thread in an attempt to highlight the white and blue flecks in the tweed. (I had the buttons on hand - long ago "harvested" from a shirt My Beloved relegated to the rag pile. I love reusing stuff like that!!!) 

I don't love having a lot of yarn left over at the end of a project and that's just what I do have with this one - almost three balls! At least, having bought the yarn at Romni where they will take yarn back any time with receipt I can off load the two complete balls and put the money towards something else in the future.

Finally, getting back to the time it took to get this done.  In the first three weeks I knit the body (in one piece) and both sleeves (in the round) to the point of joining and then doing the set up row for the cable. With proper concentration the 18 measly rows in the yoke should have taken a weekend. After the yoke, I probably put in three or four evenings on the collar and button band facings complete with 9 button holes.  With almost no ends to sew in, "assembly" is putting on the buttons and grafting the underarms.

In other words I should have been able to have this done in a little over a month.

So if you've been following along as I've whined about this I don't want to leave you with an impression that this pattern is to be avoided. I am so glad I made it, (honestly also glad I waited to try it until I felt confident enough to do it).

I'm thrilled to be able to wear it but today, really more thrilled that it's moved from the knitting basket to the closet. Its about time Marie, its about time!

And thanks for dropping by TODAY! Its so fun to be able to share this with you - your support and helpful hints have been invaluable along the way!