YAY! I’m pretty sure I’ve found my next sweater:
Can you guess? It’s been all over the knitblogs – I’m hardly original. Oh alright. I’ll tell you:
It’s the Katharine Hepburn Cardigan from the new Lace Style from Interweave. I’m having a bit of a Goldilocks moment in regards to yarn selection. So far I’ve semi-swatched with two yarns – the green is Rowan Wool Cotton and the red is Heavyweight Socks That Rock. I’m not 100% happy with either one of them. The Wool Cotton has a bit too much drape and a bit too much sheen and the HSTR is a bit too flat in the sheen department and a bit too heavy. The pattern calls for Louet Gems Opal and I’m going to pick some up today to swatch. Hopefully that will be just right. The best part is that I like the pattern and I’m getting to know it so when I finally cast on I’ll have it memorized and G likes the sweater and it’s different than the other two sweaters I’ve knit this year and it’s perfect for the coming spring season. I’m planning on making the cropped version.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Yeah. That shit would barely cover my areolas. Dude. I’ll be making the Amish version. Long body, long sleeves. I’m planning on turning the 3/4 sleeves into long sleeves. And I’m toying with the idea of doing the body in one piece again. This has more to do with getting it all done in a seemingly faster fashion than it has to do with my feelings for seaming. I LIKE to seam. I’ve got no problems with seaming. What I hate is all the pieces. You do the back. Then you have to do the sleeves and then you have to do the fronts. If you do the back and fronts together – well – when you’re done – you’ve just got the sleeves! Then you do those together and voila! You’re DONE! Doesn’t that seem like it goes so much faster? Plus I think it might make the lace lay together nicer to do it in one piece. No fuddly seaming. We’ll see. I’m jumping ahead of myself. First I’ve got to find a yarn.
But I’m feeling much better. Am Kamin will have to wait. I know that many people have successfully knit the sweater – hell – I was running the knit-a-long. I’ve gotten much farther than I have before and I WILL knit this sweater. I’m just not ready yet. This is going to be my next Short Rows. It may take me awhile to do it. And that’s okay. For now, I’m excited about jumping in with Katherine. It might be time for some Philadelphia Story.
Have a great weekend!
What a great caridigan. I am laughing my butt off about the cropped on not even convering your areolas. LOL … I know the feeling.
Good luck finding a yarn. 🙂 Have fun.
That’s a great sweater. Definitely one of my favorites from that book. I love Katharine Hepburn, so I’ll be making this one some day myself. Good luck with the yarn search.
You know, I was thinking as I read “cropped version” Hmmmm. That Cara has a nice…um…chest. I wonder if she should maybe rethink that whole thing. And then I thought – well hell, if Cara’s okay with it, maybe I should think about it for me…I’m relieved that I don’t have to adjust my thinking at all!! How funny. And you know what was funnier, to me, than the areolas? the Amish version. Killer.
I’m glad you found something to dive into! That’s a great feeing 🙂
Wait!!!!!!!
I can’t see my screen because I blew my Venti Cafe Mocha nofatnowhip all over it when I read about the cropped sweater not covering your areolas. I say welcome to the Swing Low Sweet Chariot club sistah!
Cute sweater……..crap! I may have to go buy the book!!
And now, to clean the screen………
I hear there’s a cardigan in there named after Elizabeth Bennett. I might want it.
What color are you thinking about making the cardigan in?
Every sweater I knit is the Amish version! Too funny.
I like that sweater too, and I’m still chortling under my breath about the cropped version. Lawd, that was funny! I’m pretty sure the coworkers in the surrounding cubes are wondering what I’m on about this time.
Good for you! It is a beautiful choice.
(I just finished the socks, the spinning and the weaving… hope it does not mean that there will be a week of misery ahead…)
HAHAHAHA. You just made my day with your areola comment! I’m sitting at my desk at work and had to stifle a laugh 🙂
I’m sitting at my computer crying because I’m laughing so hard. Excellent choice in sweater and style of sweater — I’m curious to see which yarn you go with.
I am strongly considering that sweater as well, but I haven’t reached the swatching stage.
I’m eager to see how yours turns out.
“The Amish version” – Cara, you crack me up!!!
Oooo, pretty…. I’ve got to get that book! I see so many cool projects from it floating around Blogland.
Love it. I especially love that it’s different from the others and that it’s perfect for spring. I’m never going to be able to look at it now, though, without thinking about the cropped version and your areolas.
That’s just sick, isn’t it?
Oooh, that’s going to be just lovely. And I *much* prefer the Amish version. Good luck finding the perfect yarn. Can’t wait to see your FO.
I love the sweater and I love the great Kate. Philadelphia Story is one of my most favorite movies. I may just watch it again tonight.
That is gorgeous. I’ve gotta get that book.
Ha! “The Amish version” made me howl. I’ve never actually understood cropped sweaters, myself. They are flattering to very few body types, none of which I happen to possess. The Gems colors are lovely, which one is going to catch your eye? Or how about a silk or cashmere blend?
I have this book on order from Interweave – got caught up in the whole Amazon April 1st release date fiasco – can’t wait! Sweater looks amazing – gave up on any more sweater purchases but may have to rethink my options…..
Yeah the word aerolas is in my head all day now! It barely covers the models aerolas! And do you have a whole rooom of STR or what?
I have been wanting to get a close up of that cardi and am happy to see your swatches. I thought it was something I would want to knit, now I KNOW I want to knit it. Thanks for the excellent pics.
Maybe it’s just the way she is standing, but the model wearing the cropped cardigan seems to be lacking in the “perky” department. Her girls don’t seem that big but I wonder what the cropped version looks like with a good support bra underneath?
I’ve been admiring Katherine Hepburn in Lace style myself. It’s gorgeous. Glad you found your next project.
That is an EXCELLENT sweater! Lace is never my first choice, because I’m too lazy and don’t have enough brain power for that kind of knitting usually. But I love that.
Someone (not me! never me!) will likely attack you for calling it the Amish version, because the Amish don’t do lace. Especially since it’s the season for harsh comments and all. 🙂
Cropped tops will never be the same 🙂
Who can wear a little six-inch-long sweater anyway?
And more to the point, even if they could, why would they want to?
That is going to be really pretty when you find the yarn that you like. LMAO about knitting the Amish version. I am right there with you on that. 🙂
Cara i’m officially obessed with you now. Um, I have been dreaming of that sweater too! I even posted it on Patricia’s Yarn’s blog for her (she has the louet gems)… no freakin’ JOKE. Holy Crap. I cannot wait to see you make it!!!
That looks like a really nice pattern. I have been meaning to pick up that book (’cause I need a few more potential projects lurking over me.) Maybe you should try a wool/silk blend with that. It would give you some nice definition AND sheen. Purrty.
That cropped sweater makes me cringe. I mean, look! She has to hike that skirt all the way under her boobs just to make sure she’s decently covered.
But I do love the stitch pattern. Ooooohhh…
Amish Version…..You are too funny for words. The photo of your yarn has become my new computer wallpaper and I think it would make some lovely notecards as well. Hint, Hint.
I totally agree with you on the cropped cardigan. And you had me laughing in the library about the amish version!
With lace like that don’t you think that you will NEED the seams to give the sweater a bit of architecture? I like to seam as well, so I have no problem with it, but I think with lace you will need that extra bit of support to keep things from getting too drappy.
just my two cents!
Yay, what a beautiful sweater?
I’m another vote for doing seams–I did a lacy cardigan for my gram last year without side seams, and I feel like it suffered from the lack of structure. Can’t wait to see what color you choose!
Ha! Gorgeous sweater- I may just have to give that book another looksie!
I’m going to use Karabella Margrite for mine. I know someone using Karabella Aurora 4.
I like a good Amish sweater ~snort~
I like the Amish versions myself. Pretty stitch pattern.
It’s the psychological aspects of knitting in one piece. Like getting a refund from the IRS. Really, it’s your money back with no interest, but it just *feels* better.
Am Kamin is waiting for the “right” time to be done.
I love it! I really need to check out Lace Style. I’m a little behind.
Warn a woman before you drop areolas in a blog like that! I plan on living through you for the time being as my knitting plate is mightly full right now. Go for the green . . . I’m in a green phase right now.
Oh my gosh! Thank you for the lauging out loud moment about your boobs.
I like the red, but that’s probably because it would compliment my areolas.
Dude, you SO make my day.
I own both the Katherine Hepburn and the Grace Kelly versions of Philadelphia Story and cannot make up my mind which I prefer.
Gawgeous sweater!
I would think that BMFA’s STR in med wgt would be closer to the Louet Gems Opal than heavy wgt, but I’d have to sit down and compare the ones in my stash. In any case, best wishes luck in finding your yarn!
And darned if you haven’t gotten me lemming my own CPH and wanting my own copy of the Lace Style book.
Dontcha just love having boobies that hang below your elbows w/o a bra? (And just a tad above with…). That’s a great looking sweater, I was drooling over that book recently, but instead bought “inspired cable knits”
Just checking in to say Hey! Love those swatches and can’t wait to see the finished product. I so love love love The Philadelphia Story! Love Katharine! Have you seen Holiday? Or Bringing Up Baby? Also favorites. Have a great weekend!
That’s really pretty!
I fell in love with the sweater the moment I laid eyes on it. I can always count on you to make the newest sweaters so we can see how they *really* are. I just got my yarn for CPH and so I’ll be a few months behind you (hopefully).
I love your swatches for the KHC. I have to confess I read your post this morning, loved the swatches…went to the LYS, bought the book, and found some cool yarn on sale, too! When I’ll get to starting it is another matter but miracles can happen!
girlfriend, your Converse high tops would maybe cover those areolas of yours.
I think “barely cover my areolas” is fast on its way to becoming the new knitting catch phrase. Of course there are those European knitting mags that don’t airbrush and those models don’t give two figs about areaola exposure. But off that topic and onto the Katherine Hepburn – the reason I bought the book – such a sweet sweater!
Dood, the Amish version. The areolas was my favorite comment so far this year. I don’t laugh out loud when reading but this made me spit coffee!
I laughed so hard at your thoughts on the fit of the cropped sweater. Personally, I like the Amish better myself, too, though I’m quite sure the cropped one would cover my kumquats.
This is one of those sweaters that I may make even though everyone is making it. I love that lace pattern. Personally, I like the wool cotton for it. Which one makes gauge? The red looks a little big, but its really impossible to tell from a photo.
This is eerie! The only reason I want to buy that book is for this sweater.
“Yeah. That shit would barely cover my areolas.”
Oh my god…thanks for the best laugh I’ve had all day 🙂