Finally, after several attempts to write this blog post and not making my deadline to finish the project, I’ve finally managed to get my Peacock Eyes cardigan to a wearable stage. Yay!!
I say wearable, not finished, as in theory a cardigan has buttons, and mine does not – but I’ll explain that later.
I made another Simple Top from my book to wear with it too in this dark blue Liberty print. I really love it, its like its got little mini peacocks on it!
This was the first knitted garment I’ve made that is knitted entirely in one piece from the top down.
I’ve knitted several things before and always had to go through the dreaded sewing up stage but this make was amazing, once I’d finished knitting that was it!
The pattern is from Justyna Lorkowska and I bought it as a download from Ravelry (link here). I used some Rowan 4ply cotton Siena that I’ve had stashed away for years.
The pattern is really good at explaining everything step by step with a really good definition of all the abbreviations and stitches, including how to wrap and turn and make 1 left (m1l) and make 1 right (m1r) - which I refered back to pretty much every time it came up. The peacock eyes pattern is worked on a chart which I found really easy to follow but before I delved into my cardigan, I knitted up just one repeat of the pattern so I could get used to how it worked up.
When I knit a new pattern for the first time, especially one like this, I try and not worry about the thing as whole and just take it one stitch at a time, working it out as I go along and trusting the pattern that it will all turn out.
When I was first learning how to knit I always remember my Mum telling me that once I knew how to knit and purl I would be able to do anything as all other stitches are just combinations of that. It’s true (to an extent) but knowing this means I never get put off by how complicated something is, as I know it’s just another combination of knitting and purling.
I love the effect of the pattern over the back. As your knitting it doesn't look that clear but one you block it and wear it the pattern really pops out.
So back to the pattern, and once you have worked the 3 blocks of pattern repeats its all just stocking stitch. You save stitches (I just used a scrap piece of yarn) for the sleeves and come back to them once the main body of the garment is finished. Each row is really long so you use circular needles, but just knit back and forth, not in the round.
I made mine a bit shorter than the pattern and literally just tried in on while it was still on the needles until I felt it was at the right length. Same for the sleeves as well.
I messed up the button holes a bit in that I made to many – 11 to be exact. Which seems a bit OTT now, but when I was placing the markers at the time it seemed sensible. I know that I will never wear this cardigan buttoned up, like it is in the pictures that come with the pattern.
I’m concerned that if I put 11 buttons on (that will never be used) that I might end up just looking like button, so I’ve just left it be and been wearing the cardy buttonless. I have considered re-knitting the buttonhole band to take the buttonholes out, or put a more sensible number of buttonholes in there, but as it’s still wearable I haven’t been motivated to do it yet. Looking at these pictures though, I think it does look a bit silly. I try and get around to it at some point!
I’m sure I’m not the only one that has put with an unintentional ‘design deviation’….what have you embraced as a unique feature in a knitted garment?