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August 11, 2012

Olivia!

I was extremely nervous about the Felted Tweed I needed after I ran out six rows short of finishing the neckband on Olivia. I'd got it from Calico & Ivy quite a while back, and it's a popular colour. I knew we were short of that particular colour, an I was sure I wouldn't be able to match the dyelot.

We had two balls left when I got in on Monday, and one of those balls was the right dyelot. Oh, the relief! If worse had come to worst, I could've ripped out the neckband and done the neck and wristbands in the new dyelot, but thankfully it didn't come to that!

And so she is done!

So happy with it, I love it!

Specs: Olivia by Kim Hargreaves from the sadly discontinued Thrown Together book.
Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed DK in Rage
Needles: 2.75mm & 3mm Addi Turbos
Mods: I made the sleeves longer. Which is why I ran out of yarn! I'm not a fan of three quarter sleeves. The current fad for them perplexes me. If I'm cold enough for sleeves, I want long sleeves. The pattern also calls for you to do the sleeve cuffs before seaming. I did the seaming first, then did the cuffs in the round. I just think it gives a neater finish, but it wasn't a huge mod.

I really like the pockets, a little too small to be really functional, but a fun detail. And I love the buttons I got! I got them from an etsy seller called Buttonalia . They're ceramic and a little heavy, but so perfect!

Which just reminded me of one other mod. The buttons were pulling on the band a little, and I wasn't 100% happy with the way it was sitting, so I sewed the band closed between the top and the second button. It's not a cardigan I'd wear open anyway, so it wasn't a big deal, but it is sitting much better now.

And I wore it three times this week - new favourite!

Posted by Donna at August 11, 2012 09:13 PM

Comments

Despite the fact that I am barely knitting at the moment... you now have me wanting more KH books! (Yes, I am also one of her tragics...) :o)

Posted by: Issy at August 11, 2012 09:40 PM

The cardy is very nice and your hair looks fantastic! A double win :)

Posted by: Belinda at August 11, 2012 10:57 PM

Love the red - and a big phew for the ball of colour matching
and the pockets are fabbo too (banned from using awesome as I am over 35)

Posted by: missfee at August 12, 2012 07:15 AM

Your productivity amazes me! Great work and red is always a favourite.

Posted by: Lien at August 12, 2012 07:31 AM

love it! the colour is great suits you perfectly :-)

Posted by: Jussi at August 12, 2012 08:14 AM

Very nice. The color looks great on you.

Posted by: Suzanne at August 12, 2012 09:44 AM

I love that sweater! It looks great on you!

Posted by: monica at August 12, 2012 10:38 AM

Gorgeous cardi & you look so lovely in it. Pretty buttons. I am the opposite of you as I love 3/4 sleeves. If I wear long sleeves, I am always pulling them up.

Posted by: Ann Lim at August 12, 2012 01:19 PM

Olivia looks wonderful on you. I love your hair that short too, it looks really nice on you. I might have to check out the button shop as I can never find buttons that I want for projects!

Posted by: sue at August 12, 2012 08:58 PM

matching dyelot dilemma win!!

beautiful piece, Donna. fit, colour and style, all superb. and those buttons are *perfect*!

Posted by: kgirlknits at August 13, 2012 12:03 PM

im not surprised you're wearing it often. its just gorgeous, pretty and also really warm looking. suits you perfectly, and im so glad you got it finished safely!

Posted by: drk at August 13, 2012 03:39 PM

Can't see the pics :-(
But am sure it looks great - awesome even (heh heh). And I have had this pattern in my queue for ages, I really should just make it!

Posted by: RoseRed at August 13, 2012 09:40 PM

That is absolutely gorgeous. Love it!

Posted by: PurpleVelvet at August 15, 2012 10:28 AM

Love love love your cardigan!!! I've never knitted with Rowan Felted Tweed before but it looks absolutely divine :)

Posted by: Michelle Lee at August 15, 2012 11:25 AM

Oh my that is a fantastic colour on you.
Stunning cardigan.

Posted by: jp at August 15, 2012 01:19 PM

Looking good there Miss Random! Olivia is gorgeous, such a great pattern and colour. Another lovely FO, go you!

Posted by: Zena at August 15, 2012 05:09 PM

It's a beauty and you look absolutely fantastic in it. Congrats on another beautiful project.

Posted by: Karen at August 16, 2012 12:29 AM

Woo-hoo!

Posted by: Lynne at August 19, 2012 04:31 PM