74-26 in a Haze
My first Hourglass Sweater did grace me with not less than nine left over balls of Diasilkombrer which I was not so happy with anyway. Given that it needed only six balls of that yarn in the first place (I sure bought enough yarn to not run out of it), I felt really bad about that part of my stash.
The problem with the yarn was that it quickly, after just a few times of wearing the sweater, looked misty or hazy. It also pilled quite diligently. About three weeks ago I thought (while thinking about my stash - you do that too, don't you?!) why not put the Diasilkombrer in a pretty haze deliberately, knitting it two stranded with some super fluffy mohair like the Hamanaka Parfait I used for the border of my Fancy Kerchief?
I did a swatch right away and was very happy with the result. Clearly a way to rescue two yarns from my stash at the same time!
As for the Parfait I should say that while I love this yarn for borders or accents when crocheting (in combination with some straight and honest unfluffy rustic wool), I clearly do not like mohair in general. I did have four balls of the Parfait because I once thought I would use it for a lace shawl, but as it seems one of the things I feel most uncomfortable with is knitting lace with light, fluffy mohair.
I then looked for a pattern on DROPS and settled on 74-26 because it looked as it would be roomy enough for my not so thin arms. Et voila! It was the right pattern. I did knit myself a nice, little cardigan. So happy and excited about it! I changed the neckline a bit, made the cardigan in size M and am quite content with all the haze around me. The Diasilkombrer seems well protected and also a bit hidden and I really like the colours together.
The shell buttons are from some piece of clothing I have been throwing out about 15 years ago, perfect size and shade, all minty-purple-shimmering...
I couldn't be happier about this cardigan!
Oh, and I start to get used to that new composer here on Typepad.
Thanks for reading!
Very nice!
Posted by: Whistlepea | June 19, 2008 at 02:29 AM
Oh!It has such a soft feel and subtle stripes. Like that!
Posted by: lucy | June 19, 2008 at 02:30 AM
That is lovely, you look like you are wrapped in english heather.
Posted by: Arianwen | June 19, 2008 at 02:32 AM
It's beautiful! What a perfect solution.
Posted by: jillian | June 19, 2008 at 02:36 AM
Very pretty! The fit looks beautiful as does the tone of the yarn.
Posted by: Glenna | June 19, 2008 at 02:42 AM
Very pretty! The fit looks beautiful as does the tone of the yarn.
Posted by: Glenna | June 19, 2008 at 02:42 AM
Excellent stash busting! It really looks like you planned it that way from the very beginning.
Posted by: Kristin L | June 19, 2008 at 02:50 AM
What a wonderful idea. The combination enhances both yarns!
Posted by: Kirsten | June 19, 2008 at 02:56 AM
Wow ! seems so soft and comfortable :)
Posted by: Christelle | June 19, 2008 at 02:57 AM
That is such a great cardigan - I love the subtle shades of colour.
Posted by: Lil' d | June 19, 2008 at 03:02 AM
Beautiful.
I make plans for such yarn-re-uses, but I hardly ever get around to actually doing them... still, I enjoy the planning :)
Posted by: Amelie | June 19, 2008 at 03:41 AM
I am in love with your sweater! Beautiful.
Posted by: Anita | June 19, 2008 at 03:54 AM
It's absolutely lovely! What a great color and it looks like it fits very nicely.
Posted by: Berlinswhimsy | June 19, 2008 at 04:16 AM
it's perfect! nicely done combining the yarns and making them both better as a result.
Posted by: Mintyfresh | June 19, 2008 at 04:24 AM
Lovely! Great colours and fantastic mix of yarn. I would love to have such a cardigan.
Posted by: Mette | June 19, 2008 at 04:53 AM
The cardigan is lovely and it fits you perfectly. Your knitting is as beautiful as your quilting Alex.
Posted by: Cassie | June 19, 2008 at 05:54 AM
Pretty, pretty, pretty!!!
Posted by: Nicole | June 19, 2008 at 06:10 AM
I love your cardigan, so soft and comforting. I am less keen on the new typepad but reckon I'll get used to it in the end!
Posted by: gillie | June 19, 2008 at 06:47 AM
What a beautiful success! The quilt is looking spectacular, too.
Posted by: Sarah | June 19, 2008 at 07:06 AM
Love the colorway! Perfect fit on you!
Posted by: tiennie | June 19, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Gorgeous!!!! So wunderschoen....ach, ich wuenschte ich koennte so was "zaubern"
You are a true artist:)
Posted by: VeloCC | June 19, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I was shocked to discover in the last photo that the one yarn is bright blue! Together the two yarns look quite perfect. And the cardigan fits like a glove. It also makes your arms look quite skinny. :)
Posted by: futuregirl | June 19, 2008 at 11:41 AM
hate to be a broken record, but this is really gorgeous! and stash busted too, always a big bonus ;)
Posted by: Natch | June 19, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Michelle | June 19, 2008 at 02:02 PM
People talk about changing necklines on a knitted cardigan so casually.
The very idea completely freaks me out.
Lovely cardy.
Posted by: shula | June 19, 2008 at 04:54 PM