I love this cardigan. The pattern is Honeybee Cardigan by Laura Chau. I’ve been reading Laura’s blog for quite some time. This is the first pattern of hers I’ve put to yarn, though I have purchased and look forward to making this awesome cowl sometime in the future.
As I mentioned in a previous post I had some issues with the sizing. I think this is mostly about the yarn, the Ella Rae Lace Merino (color 136), and less about the pattern, but it might have been some of both. Ella Rae stretches and grows when blocked more than any other yarn I’ve used. It feels delightful to knit with, and comes in a lovely array of colors. You should beware drastic changes in color even in the same dye lot, and you may want to alternate rows with multiple balls of yarn to avoid stark color changes. I did not do this on this cardigan, though I reknit the sleeves a couple of times to get the colors to be close. I started out making them two at a time (who wouldn’t?) and ended up ripping one and using the same ball for both, pulling from the outside in both cases, because even the inside and outside of the ball had a pretty decent difference in color.
The pattern is well-written overall. I had a small issue understanding something in the shoulder area, but I wrote Laura and she got back to me swiftly with clarification. I made a very minor change to the left shoulder. One the front of the shoulder I purled an additional row to make the yarn end up in the middle of the shoulder and so that the total number of shoulder rows on the right and left sides would match. I realize this is complete gibberish if you’re not knitting the pattern, but if you are and you are persnickety about details like I am sometimes, you might appreciate knowing this. When you’re making the shoulders on one side of the front you’ll have an extra row on one side, and the opposite on the back. This isn’t something that I think I’ll ever notice on the pattern, but I did obsessively look at shoulders on Ravelry pages for awhile.
I made the 33 inch size, though my current bust is nowhere near that size. I’m tellin’ ya, this yarn really stretches. The lace pattern itself is pretty stretchy too. I did not purposely make the sleeves longer than the pattern calls for, but they grew to that during blocking, and I’m totally ok with that.
I’m pretty fond of this little bee.
Gorgeous! I love the lace pattern. I am totally impressed whenever I see a knitter post a finished project. I have never been persistent enough to complete a major project, such as a garment. I was thrilled with myself when I finished a PAIR – that’s right, two of the same item – of ankle socks.
This is so pretty! It looks really cute on you!
Wow–looks terrific! I’m a fan of Laura’s designs, too, so I’m glad to see one “in the wild”!
Impeccable lace! The sweater looks lovely and so do you!
Beautiful! It is such a wonderful color for the pattern.
It looks great! And even with all of your yarn problems, the coloring is fantastic.
You are definitely tempting me to make this pattern! It looks super cute and would be the perfect length and style for a summer cover-up…
Gorgeous piece! It’s so lovely.
I just wanted to let you know, I’ve nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award. You can read about it here: http://fortheknitofit.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/the-versatile-blogger/
Love your blog! Keep up the great work!
Hi…I am a new follower. Love your blog and your knits! So inspired to start the honeybee, but I still consider myself a novice knitter. Am still working on a Spring tee…and it’s going slow. My Magrathea shawl is looking lovely but I have put it down for a while. Not a good thing to start on another project, but so tempted. 🙂
so beautifull and you are very “belle”with the cardigan!
love love love that stitch pattern! your cardigan looks great!