12-03-2017

So much for hibernating. Tried to make the sleeve to see if I want to get more yarn now while there are such good holiday coupons. I think the problem is odd rows beginning with an hdc after a two chain turn and even rows beginning with a slip after a one chain turn. Slant to ch2 side is even more pronounced on small piece. My similar stitch dish cloths did not slant, and I made both rows start with chain one, sc. Think I will rip back to the third row and try the sleeve again with just hdc from there. This stitch is pretty if I can figure out how to account for the slant.

Another issue I had with working the body is figuring out how to start the even rows when shaping required the row to begin with a dc to keep them lined up with the dc’s on the even row below. I just turned the beginning slip into an sc and added a chain to count as a beginning dc. The sleeve pattern does try to address a row beginning with a dc in the second row of the shaping where it has you work a ch3 to count as a dc and end with a dc. But that is the only time the issue is addressed and seemed to make the work skew even more to the ch2 that does not count as a stitch.

12-05-2017

Tried the sleeve again with the original six rows of the pattern, then just hdc. Still has a definite lumpy side where the increases are next to a ch2 on one end of the row and not on the other. But much better. Set in one - actually sewed instead of chaining like I usually do - and liked it so much I cannibalized the lapel to have enough yarn for a second sleeve. But now the angled body is much more obvious with only two rows around the neck edge.

Think I will wear this as is until I get around to the yarn store to pick up more yarn. Then I think I may try the instructions for the two-piece lapels with two skeins of the same dye lot to try to match. What’s a little more frogging?

12-06-2017

Had to do some holiday shopping anyway so wore this out to buy yarn. They had exactly two skeins that were both the same dye lot, so I bought them. But close by was a clearance yarn that was the same weight that looked like it might be a better option. I am still leary of cables in striping yarn. So I bought all five skeins they had of that yarn. No wonder I can’t ever use up my stash XD

12-07-2017

Started one cable panel from each skein. Don’t start at the same spot in the colorway and I can’t see a pattern to correct. Kept going a little further on each one to try to find it and eventually just decided to work both skeins up completely.

Was very concerned with the way these pieces curled, but they seem to be able to be flattened. Even though they are the same dye lot, I see bands of dark on one that I don’t see on the other.

Laid the cardigan out flat to figure out how to apply the lapels. Wow is that wonky =( Compared and decided to take off the two rows left of my improvised shawl collar and stitch directly onto the edges.

Marked middle back and sewed each piece from bottom to there stretching band slightly per directions and leaving the excess hanging. Low and behold, they matched. Frogged the excess and stitched together the collar.

I like it, I think. I’ve already worn it twice, which is more that some of my projects. Really wish I could figure out what is making the pattern stitch slant so badly. Glad I did not try to add in pockets which would really show how askew it is. And can’t imagine wearing it with slanting side seams.