Button Band Backing Tutorial At Last!

It's finally here! I made a full step-by-step tutorial on how I back my button bands. This is something I've wanted to do for quite a while, but the thought of doing all the photos to put it up on the blog was just incredibly daunting. Enter YouTube! It was quite the job to edit this video, but I think it turned out very well. So if you want to see how I stabilize my button bands on cardigans, head over here or click through and watch the video below!

WIP Wednesday: Splitting My Dalloway

I've been plugging away on my Dalloway Blouse as my go-to project and it's finally looking like more than just a mesh bag lol. Last night I officially sectioned off for the sleeves and now I'm working on the top yoke/sleeve area, so I'm only just now realizing this means I'm almost finished with this project.

I did add shaping to the body of this one just because I didn't want to have to rely on the waist tie (they never sit right on me). It's certainly not perfect - this yarn (bamboo rayon) is SO slippery and SO splitty that I've dropped some stitches and had to try and salvage it a few times toward the bottom. I'm used to it now, but it doesn't change the visible mistakes. I also have an accidental double yarn over hole at one side that I need to go back and seam up. I'm curious to see how blocking evens this fabric out though.

And this is a more accurate idea of how the stitch pattern looks. This yarn is very drapey and will pull down when it is worn from the weight of it all - another aspect that makes me very curious about blocking.

In truth - I didn't work on any knitting at all for almost an entire week because I was busy having too much fun :) Including holding a baby alligator, going to Sea World, seeing Alvvays in concert. We packed a lot in during my friend's visit. No regrets! My knitting was waiting for me when he had to go back home, and isn't that just a big perk of knitting as a hobby? 

Do you have anything exciting going on this week? Tell me about it!

FO: Rose Street Cardigan (Plus Video Review!)

 

My latest sweater is finished and I am so thrilled! I've been wanting to make this since the pattern was released last April and now I finally have one of my very own :) This is the Rose Street Cardigan by Syndey Crabaugh of Squid's School of Vintage Knitting. I adore her patterns and this one struck me immediately. 

The body of the sweater is very simple - just basic stockinette with a ribbed yoke on the front and back. This made the body incredibly fast to knit. I made mine up in Knit Picks Stroll in the Duchess Heather colorway that I grabbed on sale over 2 orders (I bought 6 before seeing this pattern, then bought 2 more when I knew I wanted to use it on this pattern) and it worked just beautifully. This is one of my absolute favorite yarns, so I always love using it.

Here's my Ginger Rogers pose to show off the best part of this sweater - the fantastic sleeves! They are long bishop sleeves with a simple lace detail and I adore them. I knitted my sleeves flat through the whole cuff before I realized it was written to be knitted in the round. Oops. I was not going to redo the cuff, so I just knit them both flat and it worked out fine. 

I'm also thrilled that Syndey's newest pattern (The Four Seasons Dress) includes a written description for setting in the sleeves. This was my only hang up with making this because I can never remember how to do the puff and I had a hard time finding her video on Patreon. The written instructions worked fantastic (and if you are a Patreon member of hers, you automatically get access to both of these patterns, so it worked out great). 

As per usual, I backed my button bands, and this time I filmed a tutorial on how I do this - so if you are interested, check My YouTube Channel next week for that. I used my usual rayon Petersham ribbon and some pretty vintage buttons. I did have a little snafoo - I miscounted my button holes, so I had to add 1 more button that did not match. I got as close as possible from my stash and put it at the bottom, so I think it blends in well enough that no one will notice but me.

And that's my Rose Street Cardigan! I love how it turned out. It is comfy and cute. I just wish it was colder so I could wear it more often before the end of the year. I have also made a YouTube video review about this project if you prefer to hear the deets in that way :)

Summary:

Yarn: 7.24 skeins of Knit Picks Stroll in Duchess Heather - $29.26

Pattern: Rose Street Cardigan by Syndey Crabaugh - $6.50

Notions: Rayon Petersham Ribbon - $6.50, 8 buttons - $ 0.45

Time: 2 months

Total Cost: $ 42.71

Me Made May 2024: My Pledge

 

I'm honestly bummed I didn't get to post this sooner, but I am participating in Me Made May again this year :)

I made a quick video the other day just outlining what the challenge is as well as what my pledge will be. Head over to YouTube to see it or click below :)