#cig knitting

Cast On: 10 January 2025; Cast Off: 28 April 2025.

There was a little break before blocking because I went away and then had to wait for it to dry, but as of today…it’s all done! After 141 days! Just in time for hot weather - a big squishy sweater made from...

Materials: Sandes Garn’s Double Sunday in taupe (the recommended yarn) held with a strand of Isagar Eco Line Alpaca 1 in ecru, which I found in a charity shop and wanted to save for something special. Stitch markers, needle point protectors, a measuring tap, scissors and scrap yarn for safety lines were all used.

Needles: I went a bit higher than the recommended needle size and used 5mm for the body and sleeves, 4mm for the collar and cuffs and hem). I used my set of Knit Pro interchangeable needles in metal, which are definitely okay although can unscrew here and there.

Size: S for the body, XS sleeves (so picked up less stitches).

Pattern: The Ingrid Sweater by PetiteKnit linked here. I’ve had my eye on the Ingrid Sweater since before I started knitting. I never believed I could knit, so it was always something I appreciated the beauty of without thinking I’d get to own one. Almost 18 months since I started knitting, I’m completely jazzed to report that I was WRONG! 💃And I’d highly recommend this pattern as a first textured jumper. The pattern itself is written clearly, and it’s supplemented by video tutorials (vital for me!) I consider myself an ambitious/confident beginner rather than intermediate, and the pattern’s ranking suggests it’s for advance knitters, but don’t let that put you off! It took me five months because I couldn’t devote much time to it each day, not because of its difficulty – especially once I’d got through the yoke and was working in the round. This is my first PetiteKnit pattern and I understand the appeal.

Experience and Thoughts and Feelings: The hardest parts ended up being the German short rows because of a miscalculation on my part, and the first time I attempted the diamond section, but if I recall it’s because I’d miscounted the stitches I needed. Both times I had to unravel, and big love to the friends online and irl who had to deal with me when I was going through that...It’s vital to have the correct number of stitches for the diamond part, so my main tip would be to check often, and make sure you add safety lines at appropriate intervals. I was somewhat intimidated by the sleeves because I’d read so many reports of people struggling to get the diamond section perfect, but I think it looks fine! It’s just that one section of the diamonds is wider than the others, but it’s on the part of the sleeve you don’t really see. I was pleasantly surprised by how stress-free the sleeves ended up being, having assumed they’d be insurmountable.  

This is also my first successful attempt at a folded collar! I’d tried previously but knitted my knitting needles into the collar and had to cut them out. Which I’m pretty sure nobody has ever done before in the history of knitting. This time – thanks again to YouTube tutorials – I was able to do it without any issue, and I’m so glad I got back onto the horse that threw me. I was going to try a simple ribbed collar and call it a day, but this looks a lot more polished (by my standards).  

All in all, completing this project is one of the things I’m proudest of in my life. I genuinely thought I was too stupid to knit, but I persisted and proved to myself that I’m capable of things I thought impossible. Would I knit this again? Yes! There’s some other pieces I want to make first (and I want to try colourwork!! Eeek!), but it’s good fun and so motivating to have different sections in the pattern you want to get to. I’m knitting something purely stockinette at the moment, and although it’s nice to have a breather, I miss having the right amount of complexity that keeps it engaging. I’m already dreaming of one of these in pink, held with mohair! So happy!!! I love it!!!

Knitted flat with a bunch of cotton from Paintbox! It was hard to find a tank top pattern that wasn't in the round, but the Heya tank on Ravelry came through for me! I didn't feel ready to manage the shaping on circular needles, but I'm confident about giving it a go next time. It would be nice to do another summer knit before the season changes, although this small top did take ages due to having limited time. So, I might as well make a start on another jumper. (Or indeed the pumpkin I want to knit for Halloween - I found orangey-brown wool in a charity shop! If all goes well it'll be so cute and I'll improve my 2x2 rib. Hurrah!)

As for this tank top, I found the pattern really easy to follow as a beginner. Issues I had were: 1) Getting my stitches twisted and then being afraid to frog so I carried on, keeping the mistake; 2) Accidentally knitting a purl row when I lost concentration (lol) so I HAD to frog because the mistake was too large, and holy cow was it tense frogging back just one row and trying to get all 88 loops back onto the needle. I managed it but bloody hell; 3) As mentioned above, time. Knitting narrow cotton on 4mm needles took literally a thousand years (six weeks) and at one point it was getting to be quite the snooze. However, once it got to the v-neck and arm hole shaping on the front panel, it became really fun. Overall, it was a good experience and has taught me how to knit a v-neck and shape armholes. If I could go back in time, I'd buy the cotton in just the green shades. Otherwise, I don't think I'd do anything differently - I'd even make the same mistake with the purl row because it taught me how to frog just a small section - and that it would be ok.