21.7.11

aidez

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i suddenly went from having multiple knitting projects going all at once, to having none! that means i'll be updating my ravelry projects soon, and here's the first to be added. i had been working on this aidez cardigan on and off over the last couple months and just finished it right before my sister came out to visit last week. it was my first official cabled project, and i'm hooked. it's a quick knit with bulky yarn, and the cabling keeps this an interesting and engaging project. i talked to a couple different people about sizing beforehand who gave me some fantastic tips on lengthening the armscye. the only problem is, once i got started, i completely forgot to follow their instructions and the sweater is just a teeny bit snug through my shoulders. this was nothing that blocking couldn't help, but i'm still kicking myself for not making it just a bit bigger all the way around.

i substituted Cascade Eco Wool in Taupe for this pattern, ordered from Jimmy Beans Wool (since my local store didn't have it), and got the perfect gauge using a size US 10.5 needle. i think this pattern would be fantastic knitted in the round and i even started out trying to tackle translating the pattern to do it, but for my first time cable knit, i scrapped that idea early on and just decided to knit, then piece it together.

aidez cardigan fronts

i had been knitting two-at-a-time magic loop socks as one of my multiple projects and decided to use the that method to knit both sleeves and fronts at the same time, flat. i don't know why all sweater patterns don't have you do this! it's such a wonderful technique, especially when you're pattern knitting and can make all your decreases, increases and cabled stitches on the same line, just on two separate pieces. it also prevents the "i've got to make another one of these?" dread. i think from this point on, this will be how i make all my pieced knits.

i highly recommend aidez, taking into account that you might want to lengthen the armscye, or just knit a size up from your measurements depending on how you want this cardigan to fit. i say this about every sweater i knit, but i'm so tempted to make another!

22 comments:

  1. This is beautiful! I love Eco-Wool, so I'll have to book mark this pattern for later this year. Lovely work.

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  2. gorgeous! i'm always impressed by your knit projects. i wish i was brave enough to knit two sleeves at a time, that's just genius. adding this to my queue!

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  3. Wow! This looks beautiful on you, Elly. Well done. I am working on a Peasy for myself now, but it is slow using sport-weight yarn and working on size 4 needles. I may have to try Aidez next.

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  4. it turned out so beautiful!! If I ever finish my Icelandic sweater this one is going on my list. You are seriously awesome for suggesting knitting both sleeves at once, I am definitely trying that on my next flat knit sweater. I am terrified of doing socks on circulars and the thought of two socks at once on circulars freaks me out so bad, but two flat sleeves I think I can handle! haha.

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  5. lovely work as always. i never thought to use magic loop for flat pieces, smart! looking forward to hearing how the 2 at a time socks went for you. i wanted to use it for the socks i just finished, but realized i forgot to split the hank into 2 balls. :)

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  6. lovely work elly! it's all of 60 degrees here & i wish i had an adorable sweater to throw on.

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  7. Beautiful! I'll have to check out Eco-Wool, looks fantastic!

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  8. that's gorgeous!!! i have to make one now... that would be PERFECT come fall!

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  9. it's beautiful. every version of this i see brings me closer to starting mine... it looks like such a great wardrobe staple!

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  10. Beautiful beautiful beautiful! This sweater has been on my to-knit list for a little while and now that I've seen how wonderful yours turned out I'm really motivated to start

    Kelly June
    Intrepid Hermit

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  11. it looks amazing! you put me to shame.

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  12. wow, I just finished knitting Aidez and it was my first cable pattern, too.
    It is great pattern. I changed the length of arm to 17". Your Aidez is so beautiful.

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  13. Yay, congrats on finishing it! It looks so lovely. I'll have to check out knitting socks two at a time. I'm a fan of magic loop and had heard of socks two at a time, so perhaps its time for me to give it a go.

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  14. lovely! i am sure you'll get lots of wear out of it :)

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  15. This is gorgeous! I can't believe it is hand-knit! Maybe that is because I haven't progressed from knitting hats & simple scarves yet :) Well done!

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  16. I have fallen in love with several of Cirilia's patterns lately, and this one's at the top of my to-do list. Yours looks perfect!

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  17. holy crap Elly that is one of the most beautiful knitted sweaters i've ever seen. i just did my first cardigan in the round with a steek and while it was a breeze to knit i'm not at all happy with the way the steek looks on the inside.

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  18. I LOVE cabling. In fact, I learned to knit to make my second project, a cabled yoga bag. Your sweater is gorgeos!

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  19. i love that sweater! I love that style of cardigan, i wear those all the time. You always make me want to knit a sweater. I might have to take the plunge before summer is over.

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  20. Your Aidez is gorgeous!! I love this pattern, it's been in my Ravely queue since last fall. I'm also planning to use Eco Wool, and I will definitely go up a size.

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