Absolutely had to join in with this epic knit along. I’m not certain if ’Bang out a Carbeth’ is an official KAL, but the instagram hashtag has really gained momentum and not one to miss out, suffering from serious FOMO, as my teen nieces might say - btw, this = Fear Of Missing Out. Besides, having snaffled in my stash, I discovered just enough Drops Lima to bosh this cardigan out. Though, I didn’t quite bosh it out. I worked my way through it like a sloth and let it lay idle…perhaps I should start a new hashtag* ’dawdle out a carbeth’*

Okay, so I’ve held the Drops Lima double to achieve the suggested ‘chunky weight’. I’ve also worked with 6.5mm and 7mm needles to attain gauge. Though I’m just slightly under. So a slightly smaller version.

I really like the fabric - it is substantial (when you hold the garment in hand), but still quite light and airy (once worn) - if it is at all possible to be all these things. Also, the alpaca/wool blend means it does wash and wear really well, from experience. And, the fabric has a lovely feel to it, which gives the illusion of something a bit special, as opposed to a very reasonably priced and ‘machine processed/dyed’ yarn (Drops is really great fo this). it also comes In some lovely colourways - ’Sea Green’ being my favourite colourway.

Body: for the smallest sizing, the pattern suggests a hem to armpit measurement of 7.5” - this is way too cropped for my comfort. I’ve thus, worked this section for 12”. I wanted the hem to sit somewhere on hips and after blocking, I’ve achieved this. For info: I’m 5ft 8” in height with a slightly above average torso.

Sleeves: again, the suggested 17” is way too short for me and so I’ve knitted my sleeves until they pressure 19”.

Front Bands: with added length, I’ve had to pick up more stitches and I’ve picked up 71. I’ve picked up loops between rows. I think this is sufficient. I’ve also placed 6 buttons, evenly spaced. Ensuring one button is placed on the collar and the hem.

Collar: I’ve slimly shorted this as I really felt the collar depth would simply be too much. I’ve repeated rows 1 and 2 twenty times.

underarms: I’ve grafted underarms with three needle bind off. I think it’s just as neat as Kitchener and with it being ‘hidden’ at the armpit, the fine ‘join seam’ is really not that noticeable.

What I LOVE: I love the yoke shaping - it is deceivingly simple but creates that change in direction of the knit rows that I couldn’t quite fathom how it was achieved, when first looking at the pattern pics. It’s such a simple but interesting design choice. I think If I were to sum up this design, the beauty is in the detail. The finish. The i-cord button band and the fold over collar - it really adds to overall ‘look’ - it’s simply fab.

Pics: well, it is 23 degrees with zero breeze today and I decided that this was the ideal time to stand in an unshaded field wearing my chunky wool cardigan - I just had to get my FO photos! Honestly, I felt like one of those boil-in-a-bag rices We started with a rapeseed backdrop and then the Husband noticed an abandoned farm shed. Great, I said. Let me stand next to metal, so that I can fully appreciate the burn of reflected sunlight! #PrickMeImDone

Anyhow, pics…

Oh, should state that the project is named, ‘sea shanty’ on account of our Easter break along the East Yorkshire Coast. It was very foggy, bitterly cold and the sea very wild - it was actually rather romantic and poetic. I imagined many of a song written…I also imagined how warm I’d have been, if I’d have had this cardigan/Jacket with me.