Saturday, October 15, 2011

Adrift: finally!

This baby has been finished for a week, but it got so hot here that I couldn't bring myself to put it on!  But at long last, may I present Adrift:


I just can not believe how much I love this sweater!  It's a real surprise to me, because I was expecting to be kind of 'meh' about it.  But I really think this is one fantastic garment!  There are so many ways to wear it:

The crossover drape.

The leaf-tab tie.

The center front tie.

I complained a lot while I was making this because it was pretty tedious.  But so worth it in the end!  Only two skeins of Malabrigo lace, and I was able to make the sleeves exactly the length I wanted!  I really want to do another one in a "winter" color.

I followed the directions almost exactly on this one.  I thought the back might end up being a little short, and it does come to just above my waist, but I think if I'd gone any longer, the fronts wouldn't drape "just so."

Partially covering the posterior region.

It's quite rectangular.
The only things I did differently were to ditch the magic loop method for the sleeves in favor of DPNs (so much faster!) and use up all my remaining yarn for the sleeves, rather than doing the prescribed number of rows.  After I'd finished the sweater, I wound what yarn I had left into two equal sized balls (eyeballing it), and they actually did end up to be even!

All the advice I read on Ravelry suggested that this one either runs big, or grows with blocking, so I did the smallest size, which was for a 30" bust (mine is a whopping 33") and it is a perfect fit.  So, word to the wise.  Several people also mentioned being confused by how to (wet) block it, but I did what I almost always do:  steamed the heck out of it with my iron.  Quick, easy, painless.  Except for that one time when I got a steam burn on my stomach.  Don't ask.

OK, gotta go to the fabric store!  Bye!

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23 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    I love this cardigan on you! It drapes perfectly in the front when left open and I love the variations you tried out. Great color, as well.

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  2. SandyOctober 15, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Great sweater! Thanks for showing all the ways to work it. I have been sitting on the fence about making one similar, but you have definitely made up my mind. This one is smashing!

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  3. Carmela BiscuitOctober 15, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    This looks so great on you! And the color is gorgeous.

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  4. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    I agree-- this looks great on you! What a nice, versatile knit!

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  5. GailOctober 15, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    Thanks, ladies! I highly recommend this pattern!

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  6. GerryARTOctober 15, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    I 'second' every comment here, Gail.
    Guess I'd better get my fingers flyin' on les Abeilles so that when my Garnet Malabrigo Lace gets here at the end of the week or so I'll be ready for it.
    YaHOOO ! ! !
    HUGS

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  7. GailOctober 15, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Thanks, Gerry!

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  8. Twisted KnitterOctober 16, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    It's fabulous! I love all your photos -- the last one especially because of the accessories you've used to pull together the look. Love the olive-colored handbag with Adrift!

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  9. GailOctober 16, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    Thanks, Janet! That bag is an old one I recently rediscovered, and I'm loving it! Such a happy color!

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  10. AndreaOctober 16, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Love it! So versatile and the colour is fabulous. Must keep this one in mind for a future knit.

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  11. soknitpickyOctober 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    Gorgeous! I especially love the leaf tab tie--very Jackie O :-)

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  12. GailOctober 16, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    hee hee - leaf tab tie is my favorite and Hubby's too :-)

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  13. Kristen RettigOctober 17, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    Wow, it's a great cardi! Love your sleeves, makes me take another look at this pattern. Such cute photos too, looking terribly chic for the fabric store!

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  14. GailOctober 17, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    Thanks, Kristen!

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  15. EvelynOctober 17, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    First of all, thanks for stopping by my blog today (lovely to see you on the comments and to meet a new "friend"). I've debated about casting on Adrift for many of the doubts you raised but now that I've read your post and seen your fabulous photos, I'm sold. Hmmmm, after having just posted my dilemma today, I'm going back on my word and adding yet another project to my queue. C'est la vie, right? Happy knitting.

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  16. GailOctober 17, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    Glad to recruit another member to Team Adrift! Seriously, it's about all I can do to keep myself from hopping over to the yarn shop and getting more yarn to start a second one!

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  17. lsaspaceyOctober 17, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    Wow, that is really gorgeous! I love how you can tie it up, that leaf tab tie is so cool looking. Great job.

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  18. GailOctober 17, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Thank you! I just peeked at your blog and flickr, and you are quite the seamstress, lady!

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  19. Erin KateOctober 18, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    It's gorgeous! Congrats!

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  20. UnknownOctober 21, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    You are too cute!! I've got a skein of Mal lace in Sealing Wax and I've been trying to decide which cardi I want to knit with it (and figure out how much more to get). Adrift is looking pretty appealing.

    I second your opinions of Magic Loop too. I am not a fan.

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  21. GailOctober 22, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    I was just looking at Sealing Wax the other day - such a pretty color! But I came home with 2 skeins of Olive for Adrift #2!!

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  22. lindaMay 19, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    Gail! Gorgeous cardi and colour. I may have to copy cat as I have a trip coming up as well and need a simple travel project. You mentioned trouble with security/needles - did you manage to knit on the plane, or was it not allowed?

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    Replies
    1. GailMay 27, 2012 at 5:38 AM

      Hi Linda:

      When I did this last fall, my needles were taken away from me in Turkey by Turkish security. I just got back from Germany and took my Adrift v.2 with me, and decided not to risk it, so I put all my knitting in my checked luggage and just read on the flight :-(

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