The pattern name is Curlicute. Which is adorable, but also a play on words for the original yarn the pattern recommended, Bucilla Curlicue, a mohair and wool blend.
Obviously I changed it to long sleeves, because a short-sleeved worsted weight cardigan just makes no sense where I live.
I changed the shape of the front of the cardigan to be a gradual v-neck. I like how it looks with collared blouses on my Bestway stranded cardigan, so I did the same thing. Instead of crocheting the button band like in the pattern, I knit it separately. I have several 40s patterns with crocheted bands and I admit it's not my favorite look. I thought I'd try it on this one but as I suspected didn't really like it, so I swapped it for a knitted band style that was also popular in 40s patterns. The band itself is just (k1, p1) over 8 stitches, with the first stitch slipped purlwise on the right side for a nice smooth edge.
My trick to getting the band the perfect length: I knit about 3/4 of it, sew most of it onto the cardigan, then eyeball it and sew an inch or two at a time as I finish knitting it. (Make sure to stretch it slightly as you sew it so it doesn't look floppy.)
The pattern gauge is 3.5 stitches per inch, but I knit it at 4.5 spi and then blocked it aggressively to open up the ribbed stitch pattern. If you like the traveling ribs more pronounced you could block it lighter. I wanted a trim look so I knit it with about 2 inches of negative ease at my bust. (I don't recommend this if you plan to wear it buttoned up a lot, or you'll get gaping over your girls!)
I always wet block my knitted garments. I knew from swatching that my gauge would change a lot after blocking, even if during knitting it looked like I was knitting it for one of my 7-year-old nieces.
I like how the ribs travel across the back and the sleeves although the sea of red was blinding on camera.
Thanks to Rochelle for helping me choose buttons. These are translucent red vintage buttons with rhinestones in the center. Love them!
I have desperately needed a well-fitting, basic red cardigan forever. So glad to cross this off my list because I already know it goes with eeeeverything!
outfit details
30s trousers: made by me
blouse: Time Machine Vintage
earrings & vintage bracelet: gifts from my mom
Interested in knitting this cardigan yourself? Download the free pattern from 1940!
Beautiful! I have nearly finished my cardigan... seriously, anything I ever knit it down to YOU!!
ReplyDeleteBeen looking at this wet blocking, it does look like the way forward.
What do you think of this book? http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1405368039/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
Thanks my lovely, much love and respect...
Bundana x
I've never heard of that one specifically, but in general I think any book with lots of basics is good to have on your bookshelf! :)
DeleteLooking forward to seeing your cardigan!
Oh gosh, that's lovely! I love the colour and the style. I wish I was a good as knitter as you (even though I've been knitting forever).
ReplyDeleteThose buttons are a perfect choice! Red is definitely your color. Your whole look is really great here.
ReplyDeleteAs per usual, amazing!! I love the color...looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteThose buttons were a great choice...too cute :-)
I don't get the thing about short sleeved wool cardigans either. It's lovely.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Gorgeous! Where did you find those buttons?
ReplyDeleteOn Etsy, I've found some good vintage button sets and lots there.
DeleteLooks fabulous :) But then, I love red ;) I also love your recreation of the pattern cover :D
ReplyDeleteI don't know a thing about knitting, but I do know that your cardigan is to die for! That will be a wardrobe staple for sure!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness I love that cardigan!! I wish I knew how to knit because I'd definitely make myself one.
ReplyDeleteA very nice result!
ReplyDeleteI never button up my cardigans. ever.
So a lot of them are actually too small I guess..
I got one cardigan I can close, but I never wear it, for that reason.
I have a vintage knitting book, and most of the patterns are with short sleeves, what's up with that?! Won't do in my climate either. But I am not a good enough knitter to change it from short to long to short sleeves. sadly.
Tasha it looks awesome!!! I LOVE the buttons. They give just the perfect amount of pizzazz to the sweater. One of these days I'll be able to knit well enough to make a sweater, but until then I'll just bookmark your pattern for the future :)
ReplyDeleteI love the color! That turned out really nicely. I can see why it's your new favorite!
ReplyDeleteyou made a beautiful cardigan.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I love the color! You're so productive lately! I really like what you've made so far!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful :) The buttons are adorable
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! And, the ideal body length! Hits the hips at JUST the right place. All of my red cardigans are too long & end up looking frumpy with pretty much anything. How long start-to-finish did it take you? I'm thinking of starting a cardigan myself, but am a treacherously slow knitter and frequently abandon projects in favor of more instant gratification.
ReplyDeleteIt took me about 5 weeks, without knitting anything else between (but also doing a good bit of sewing in there too). If you fear you might lose interest, doing something in a heavier weight yarn like worsted weight will go a lot faster. :)
DeleteLove it! I've been in such a knitting mood lately. I really must buy some yarn for a new project!
ReplyDeleteLove the oblique direction of that pattern!
ReplyDeleteSo, so immensely lovely! I adore the length, colour (it's both eye-catchingly punchy and endlessly versatile, as far as reds go, at the same time), and ribbing. Stellar work, dear Tasha - you look so gorgeous in your new crimson cardi.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
Great cardigan, I love it! The changes you made were all so perfect, especially choosing to make the sweater more trim.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of your skills! As a beginner knitter, I can only hope to be half as good as you. :) Thanks for sharing your tips. It's all appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWOW! This is so beautiful!! You have the best taste in knits! LOL I've downloaded the pattern for my ever growing vintage knit queue :o) Thanks for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of you! I took a 3-class knitting course years ago, and quit after the second class! I don't know what I like best about your outfit - the cardigan, the blouse, the trousers, or all three on you! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteLOVE!!! I can't believe the things you can make! You are so talented!!
ReplyDeleteI love it! The original pattern is nice and I'll be snagging that to have a go at but your version is wonderful too. I'd actually prefer to knit one more like yours as the short sleeves aren't really appropriate to the weather where I live either, but I haven't yet got to the stage of changing patterns!
ReplyDeleteUh oh, another knitted to add to my ever growing 'to knit' list! :)
ReplyDeleteI must say your new red cardigan is rather lovely- perfect T x
Beautiful! Love the colour, the ribbed pattern, the fit, it's all gorgeous! A perfect cardigan, simply. Really also like the changes you made to the original pattern, I'm sure you'll get a lot more wear out of it this way (never really understood short-sleeved cardigans, as pretty as they may be. But then I'm cold even during summer).
ReplyDeleteOk, I really, really want to learn how to knit now...
You should definitely learn! ;D
DeleteI will! Hmm, looking at my sewing list, maybe next year... ;) Seriously, I might sign up for a class or knitting circle, as I'm not sure I'll be able to learn it through books or youtube. Sewing comes naturally for me, but even in home-ec, knitting and crocheting was a much less given for me. But I adore cardigans and wear them on a daily basis, so it really makes no sense to not knit them myself!
DeleteI promise, before next summer (giving myself lot's of time here...) I will have knitted a cardigan!
Ooh, I might have to try this out for myself after I've finished my current knitting project!
ReplyDeleteLovely! Great colour on you and I like the blingy buttons!
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can go past a basic red cardigan. It looks awesome! I love the changes you made to sleeve length and bands. I can only wish I was that clever.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!!!!!!!!! So envious I have turned green!
ReplyDeleteI'm blown away by your skills. That's one gorgeous cardi and you are even more gorgeous than the model on the pattern. x
ReplyDeleteThat is cute! And the color looks fantastic on you!
ReplyDeleteLove your site, just found you. I am a fellow knitter and sewer and love the level of your work and inspiration. Look forward to further posts and contact.
ReplyDeleteYour knitting skills always impress me!! I love this whole outfit- very cute and comfy.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! The color is amazing on you. Thank you for sharing the pattern. How did you adjust the shoulders?
ReplyDeleteThanks! Though I'm not exactly sure what you mean, do you mean the different neckline?
DeleteIt's such a lovely cardigan, and the buttons were worth the wait. :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you have posed just the same as the model in a side by side shot! I have to admit, I love yours more than the original. Having the cables more open makes yours look a bit more chic and tailored vs. the original that seems to be a bit "cluttered".
Doing that extra slip stitch is a must! I wish I knew about this trick a year ago, but now that I know about it all of my finishing looks much more tidy as a result.
Thanks everyone! ♥
ReplyDeleteFantastic! I am so envious of you knitting ladies.
ReplyDeleteRed is definitely your color, btw. You look fabulous!
Red is magnificent on you! Love the choice of buttons, and I loved hearing how you adjusted the pattern to fit your needs. Since I'm still learning all of these fabulous aspects of knitting, it's really splendid to see how a master knitter makes such awesome pieces :) Well done!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous knit! Really interesting to read how you altered the pattern.
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! What type of yarn did you use?
ReplyDeleteLovely! Might be something for the Tosh DK that I've got waiting around for that perfect cardigan pattern.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great, Love the buttons!
ReplyDeleteThis looks terrific! You are making me jones to pick up my knitting needles!
ReplyDeleteIt turned out so so beautiful! I love your final button choice!
ReplyDelete<3 Sydney
The sweater looks amazing! And I love how you mimicked the pattern model's pose.
ReplyDeleteadorable cardi! it looks great on you!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so so lovely, and thank you for sharing the pattern! I'm going to try to convert it to a pullover! love your blog, Anna
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely cardigan! your knitting skills are impressive and the band tip is great!
ReplyDeleteThat's a stunning sweater, I love it in red! I'm attempting to knit this myself in a dark brown sport weight yarn, but am flummoxed by the decreases; can't seem to do them without completely messing up the pattern. Is there a trick to doing this or am I just being incredibly thick? I'm an experienced knitter but this one has me perplexed. I'm trying to knit in the round, if that makes a difference. Thanks for any help you can give :)
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed this comment until now, Bridget!
DeleteDon't worry too much about keeping the edges in pattern, it *is* pretty difficult, so just do the best you can. The way I think of it is I think of the pattern radiating out correctly from the center of the body and as it gets to the edge, I think about what stitch do I need to be looking at next in the pattern, so I make my decrease try and mirror that. With the cables, you just eventually have to stop working them when you don't have enough stitches at the edge. I had to just kind of wing it. :)
So lovely!This is my next project on my "to knit-list"!I'm kind of a beginner so I wonder if there are any decreases and such I must keep in mind when doing the long sleeved version..?Also, I'm not so sure what a "twisted row" means..?Well, practice makes perfect and I have decided that I'm going to the the curlicute one - no matter how long it takes! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for a wonderful blog!
You can do it! :) The "Sample of Stitch Pattern" section shows the rows that are repeated to create the pattern. If you look you'll see the 5th and 13th rows are dubbed "twist" rows, hich really just means you work a cable that row... and even if you've never done them, it gives you the instructions so don't worry.
DeleteThe sleeves (and the body for that matter) are worked from the bottom up, so you'll be increasing in the sleeves from the wrist to the armpit, and then binding off some armhole stitches and shaping the sleeve cap with decreases. You're kind of free to choose whatever increase and decrease you like! These pages might help:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/increases
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/decreases