This time last week, I was not entirely sure that this post would ever happen. The sleeves of this cardigan caused me a mammoth headache, including me messing them up and having to frog the whole back of the cardigan to above where the sleeves began.
To take my mind off the mess I’d made, as well as procrastinating about starting the tricky bits, I went button shopping with my daughter. I saw these and fell in love-the oak leaves fitted perfectly with the autumnal cardigan image I had in my head.
I realised that I had to bite the bullet and just do the hard bit, which was picking up the cast off stitches. I kind of did it right on one sleeve at least! This time I sewed in the ends before starting the sleeves as last time the stitches loosened and left large gaps. After that it all went pretty smoothly. On Monday evening I finally sewed in the last ends and here is the finished product, being modelled by my 3 year old who was a bit of a diva about the whole process.
Things I’m pleased with
I love the colour and the buttons, it turned out as I had pictured in my head.
I’m also really proud of the straight join between the ribbing and the buttons bands. (I am aware that is an odd thing to be pleased with, but finishing neatly is a big thing to me!)
Things I’m not so pleased with
The picking up of the cast off stitches has left a ‘scar’ on one sleeve. I gave up trying to perfect it in the end, which is unlike me, but I didn’t want to mess it up again and risk frogging it all. The other sleeve was fine and it’s at the back of the sleeve so I guess not many people will see it anyway!

The fit is a little too snug for my liking, but because it is made of a wool yarn I should be able to block it a little more to make it larger if needed.
Things I learned
From start to finish this was a learning curve. It began by mastering the provisional cast on, which also led to me learning to use those stitches to start the second piece.
I’d never made a top down cardigan before so I had lots to learn for that, including how to use a circular needle to knit a sleeve in the round using magic loop. (I’d tried magic loop before and failed miserably, as well as finding it frustrating!)
Picking up and knitting stitches along the edges of the knitted fabric was another skill used a lot due to the lace panel, as well as the collar and buttonhole/button bands. I found a neater way to do it and felt much more confident with how to do it by the end.
Once I’d finished, I learned that blocking is a knitter’s magic wand. Some of my knitting had been a bit uneven, especially on the sleeves. However, a good soak and a gentle block have done it the world of good and I am so pleased with it. I can’t wait for my daughter to wear it properly!
For now, though, that little cardigan is laying on a table in the horticulture and handicrafts marquee of our village show, awaiting judgement tomorrow morning. We shall see how that goes, I know it’s not perfect but I’m glad I made it.
It’s beautiful and I love those buttons! Well done for persevering with it. It’s hard to let little imperfections go but it sounds like you’ve learnt loads and that’s never a bad thing!
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Thank you, I’ve learned loads!
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You did a rear job! The cardigan looks lovely, and the buttons set it off perfectly!
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*great job….I really need to start reading before I hit “Post Comment”.
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Lol, I knew what you meant!
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Thank you, I love the buttons so much too!
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This has turned out so pretty. I really like the shape as well as the colour, and those buttons are perfect for it. I bet the scar isn’t obvious to the casual observer, but I know that when you’re close to something any flaws feel huge
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Thank you, I think we are our own worst critics!
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The “scar” you’re not pleased with is not noticeable. I had to try really hard to see them. So, actually, it’s just fine. I’m happy for you in that you tried and learned lots of new things!
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Thank you, I’m enjoying learning more than just the very basics, it’s good to stretch yourself. 😊
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I think it is very fine work indeed!!
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Thank you 😊
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Aw this is absolutely lovely and I adore the colour well done you! I can’t knit to save my life, il stick to my crochet instead ☺️
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Amazing! It looks so beautiful. I wamt one of my own. Even if you didnt win in the country show I think your daughter is the real winner here! How did you do?
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Thank you, I don’t know yet as we aren’t going to the show until tomorrow. I’ll let you know! The table for knitting looked big so I guess there’s a lot of competition.
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The buttons are the cutest things ever!
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Thank you, I bought all there were in the shop, hoping I find more like it as I’ve had a request to make another cardigan like this one!
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Good luck in your search!
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Thanks, will have to try online next!
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I think it turned our really Pretty!!! I just love those cute buttons.
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Thank you, I adored the buttons too.
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Awesome job! And those buttons couldn’t be any more perfect!!
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Thank you, they are so sweet!
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This is gorgeous. We are harshest on our own work (until they are teenagers and there is loads of feedback!) can hardly notice the scar. I am sure when it is being worn no one will notice at all. All the best with the Village Show.
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Haha, I won’t be making them anything as teenagers unless they ask. We are harsh on ourselves lol.
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Great job! The buttons definitely match the autumnal shade of the cardigan, and the lace looks really nice. 😀
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Thank you, I was pleased with how it came together
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You’ve done brilliantly! Love the buttons, it looks so pretty too. Fingers crossed for a prize 🏆 !!
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Thank you, we will see, there looked to be a big space for the knitting so lots of competition!
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I think it’s lovely, especially the collar area. I also find it hard to make a neat job of picking up stitches (mine always end up with holes) but think you have done a great job. Good luck tomorrow!
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Thank you, I’m looking forward to seeing how all of my entries did in the morning, although this year was a bigger show so huge competition.
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I think it looks gorgeous, well done for persevering, it would have been sitting on the UFO pile til she was 21 if it was me! Good luck in the show too 🙂
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Haha, I had to finish, that yarn cost a fortune! Thanks for the good luck. 😊
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Whether is wins a prize or not you can count yourself a winner for meeting your challenge head on and despite the bumps along the way you conquered it. Well done the outcome has been worthy of the challenge.
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Thank you, I am pleased I persevered .
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I think the cardigan looks fab and I LOVE the lacy bit round the top. The buttons are gorgeous too. It looks like the cardigan fits your little girl perfectly, and if I know kids at all I’m sure she’ll manage to stretch it a bit too! Good job, and let us know how the show goes today.
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Thank you, your comments are lovely. I will find out in the morning how it went! 😊
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Everything about this sweater is gorgeous! Really nice job!
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You did a beautiful job! I love it and the color is so pretty. Those buttons are awesome!
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Thank you, they took some finding!
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It’s turned out brilliantly!
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Thank you 😊
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!!!! Congrats! Great to see it finished 🙂
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Thank you, it was a relief!
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The cardigan turned out so lovely! I know you are finally happy to be past this one.
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Thank you, I was so happy! Now two people want one like it!
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It’s so beautiful! Well done with these buttons! The front of the only cardi I’ve made with buttons is really wonky but yours just perfect!
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Thank you, I think this may go wonky with use!
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So love the finished result and those buttons are just perfect for it.. I know even in my own plain knitting of the cardi I just finished I see where the tension was not correct and it looks a bit uneven in places.. I think this is a wonderful and very unique, I have not seen any thing similar in any patterns I have seen..
Well done.. and I think it is only those who are knitters would notice such things.. xxx
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Thank you, I find variations in tension very frustrating! I did thing we are often our own worst critics x
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We are indeed Mrs C, glad I am not the only one.. 😀
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They are the perfect buttons 🙂
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Thank you 😊
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