07-20-2014: Soaked the cardigan in warm water with a small dollop of liquid fabric softener for about an hour yesterday, then after wrapping in a big towel extracted much of the water. Finally tacked it out to block and dry overnight. It’s still a tad damp so I’m about to iron it to further the blocking, especially the sleeves and bodice which didn’t cooperate well with pinning.

WOW!! Such a big difference in the appearance between the before and after blocking pics! I’m a believer in blocking!!

07-14-2014: Knitting completed! I am really loving the fact that there is but one end to weave in! I will steam block tomorrow and take more pics then.

07-11-2014: This cardigan is ticking along quite nicely. I have a total of 30 rows of knitting remaining, which I’m hoping to work through over the next week or so. Then I’ll be able to block it, though I’m undecided on which blocking technique will work best. I’m thinking of misting it and then running the iron over it while it’s stretched out on my blocking mats. I really really love the way it drapes.

07-06-2014: I’m getting excited to see this thing finished! I’ve just had to wind a new skein so I can continue working on this project. I’ve just started into the increase sections below the waistband, so by the end of the month I hope to be finished. Thought I’d take some WIP photos today to show how beautifully the lace is taking shape and how nicely the linen is draping.

07-02-2014: Just finished the ribbing that knit in the round around the sleeve opening to form the upper collar and waistband combo. The instructions seemed totally lopsided as I went through them, however the numbers and positioning worked out perfectly after all. I’ve decided to work the first row of the pattern repeat (the one with K2tog, YO, P2, YO, SSK) a little differently - I wasn’t happy with very large eyelet produced by the YO, so I’m skipping the YOs on the RS row and I’ll pick up a loop between the K2tog and P stitches (or P SSK) on either side while working the WS row that follows it. I’m hoping it gives me a more delicate look compared to my gaping YOs.