Tag Archives: XO Raglan Cardigan

February 12, 2014 · 5:31 PM

FO: XO Raglan Cardigan

I have exciting news! I finally finished my sweater!!! As a reminder, I made the XO Raglan Cardigan, from the Winter 2009/10 issue of Vogue Knitting magazine. According to the notes in my Ravelry project, this sweater took me 4 years to the day to complete. I cast on February 6, 2010 and sewed the final button on February 6, 2014.

I actually finished the knitting over 6 months ago. It took me this long to get the pieces sewn together and the buttons put on. I was a little scared to do the seaming as I had never done it before, and a bad job of it could have ruined my sweater. It was tedious, and I took my time, but it’s finally done! I got my buttons from Benno’s Buttons & Trimmings.

The fit of my new sweater is great. For a first sweater, I am very pleased. I adjusted the pattern a bit to make somewhere between a size M and size L. I credit my sewing experience with giving me the confidence to alter a knitting pattern for fit. My only complaint (and it is minor) is that the sleeves are a little loose below my elbow.

I love my new sweater! I learned a ton doing this project, and fulfilled a lifelong dream to knit myself a sweater.

Details

Pattern: XO Raglan Sweater by Tanis Gray. Available in the Winter 2009/10 issue of Vogue Knitting magazine.

Yarn: Rowan Classic Silk Wool DK in Greenhorn. It is 50% merino wool and 50% silk. I bought it at Jimmy Beans Wool.

See my Ravelry project for additional pictures (you must be a Ravelry member to see them).

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Tagged as cardigan, knitting, XO Raglan Cardigan

July 17, 2013 · 9:24 PM

Project Update: XO Raglan Cardigan

I have hit a major milestone with the sweater I am knitting! I finished knitting the main part of the sweater! It has only taken me 3½ years…

Right now it is being blocked.

Blocking the Sweater

Next up, I need to sew all the pieces together. I am a little nervous about that part because I have never done it before. I have read how to do it in a couple of books, and I plan on watching the videos on KnittingHelp.com, but really I think I just need to go for it and learn as I go. Anyone have any advice?

Top part of the Right Front

Once the sweater is sewn together I need to knit on the collar. That part should go quickly!

Pocket and bottom edge of the Right Front

Finally, I need to find the perfect buttons and sew them on. I am so close to finishing this thing! I can’t wait to wear it this fall and winter!

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Tagged as blocking, knitting, sweater, XO Raglan Cardigan

March 20, 2013 · 12:51 PM

In Progress

Here’s what I’ve been up to lately!

On the Needle

I have maintained my enthusiasm for knitting and am continuing work on my XO Raglan Cardigan. I am almost, but not quite, halfway through the right front piece. It’s a good thing the buttonholes (my first ever) are in garter stitch because they are far from perfect, but the garter stitch hides them nicely.

Almost halfway done…

I like the look of the little pockets. Someone described them as the “cutest little non-functional pockets ever”, and I agree!

Cute little pocket

I hope to finish the right front in the next few weeks so I can then block the pieces and sew them together!

On the Cutting Table

Nothing!

Now that we are headed into Spring, I have decided to hold off sewing my daughter her second pair of sweatpants. She won’t have any use for them over the next few months, so if I wait until Fall I can make sure they will fit before making them.

Earlier this week I completely packed up my sewing stuff to make way for a home improvement project. I guess I will have to satisfy my creative urges with knitting for a while!

Bye-bye sewing stuff!

Home Improvement

Our sewing/guest/dump-everything room is being converted into a bedroom for my daughter. I have been talking about doing this for years and I am now going on public record to declare that it is actually going to get done this Spring (I hope I didn’t just jinx myself!).

We will be getting rid of the ugly popcorn ceiling in this room and two other bedrooms (actually, the guys came and removed it yesterday, yay!) and replacing the outdated light fixture.

Ugly Ceiling

Wallpaper has already been removed (thanks, Mom!) and I will be painting the walls a pretty lavender. The moulding desperately needs to be updated, so that will happen too.

This old trim needs updating!

The finishing touch will be some sort of closet organization.

Once my daughter’s new bedroom is complete, I will turn my attention to a couple of the other bedrooms with the end result being a room dedicated to sewing and crafts!

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Filed under Home Improvement, Knitting, Sewing

Tagged as home improvement, knitting, popcorn ceiling, XO Raglan Cardigan

February 28, 2011 · 11:00 AM

Look, Ma! I Can Do Cables!

Some of you may remember that I am in the process of knitting my first sweater. After not working on it for 7 or 8 months, I picked it up again after Christmas and have made great progress. I have now completed the back and both sleeves.

The Back and Both Sleeves

I’m very pleased with how this is turning out. I really like the triangle detailing along the raglan seams.

Seam Detail

The front pieces are going to be the most challenging for me so I saved them for last. There are several elements in the fronts that I have never done before: cables, pockets, and button holes. I did some practicing with the cables – they are much easier than they look!