In recent years, most of my autumn and winter knitting projects have been small items like socks and hats for myself or pullovers for my daughter. However, I couldn’t find a cardigan I liked in stores, so I decided to knit one myself.
I’m using a pattern by the wonderful designer Kate Davies. I don’t remember exactly how I came across her work, but I vividly remember her profile:
Kate Davies Designs (KDD) was established by Kate Davies in 2010, when a stroke at the age of 36 ended her career as a historian. While learning to live with the effects of her stroke, Kate supported herself by designing digital patterns for hand-knitting, established an independent publishing company, and began to produce books that combined her skills as author, editor and designer.
https://katedaviesdesigns.com/about-kdd/
I was drawn to her story and beautiful designs, so I subscribed to her newsletter. Recently, I received an email announcing the reprinting of one of her books, and as I browsed her website, I found several cardigans I’d love to knit. I chose a pattern called Hirne, which seems perfect for winter.
Hirne (kit or download) - Kate Davis Design
Last week, I visited a local craft shop for the first time in a while to pick out yarn and chose a dark gray color. My daughter, who loves bright colors, said, “Oh, Mama, you picked the same kind of color again!” I tend to gravitate toward earthy/natural tones like navy, gray, khaki, black and similar shades. 😅
Over the weekend, I finished knitting the ribbing at the waist and then realized I didn’t have the long circular needles I needed in 4.0mm. I plan to visit the craft shop again soon to pick them up.
Looking at the photo below, some of you might wonder why I’m knitting a cardigan in the round.
It does seem unusual, doesn’t it? I had the same thought when I downloaded and read the pattern. The technique used here involves adding a section called a steek, which is later cut open... ! You can see the stockinette section continuing at the top of the round—that’s the steek area. I’m sure cutting it for the first time will be a nerve-wracking experience!
This method allows you to knit in the round and keep knitting in stockinette stitch on the right side, rather than alternating between knit and purl rows, which is common for cardigan patterns. This helps keep the stitches even, which I really appreciate since I’m slower at purling.
After knitting for so many years, it’s easy to fall into familiar routines, so discovering and trying new techniques like this is refreshing. With a busy schedule ahead this month, my goal is to finish the cardigan by January, working on it bit by bit.
By the way, my daughter also got inspired to knit while watching me and has been knitting beside me. She’s been practicing a little each year and has improved a lot. She’s now knitting a scarf with pink, fluffy yarn.
That's it! I wish you all a happy Needlework Monday 😊
この数年、秋冬に編むのは自分の靴下や帽子、子供のセーターや靴下といった小さいものが多かったのですが、お店でなかなか好みのカーディガンが見つからず、自分で編むことにしました。
Kate Davisさんというすてきなデザイナーのパターンで編んでいます。彼女については、どこで知ったのか正確には覚えていないのですが、彼女のプロフィールは鮮明に覚えています。
Kate Davies Designs (KDD) was established by Kate Davies in 2010, when a stroke at the age of 36 ended her career as a historian. While learning to live with the effects of her stroke, Kate supported herself by designing digital patterns for hand-knitting, established an independent publishing company, and began to produce books that combined her skills as author, editor and designer.
https://katedaviesdesigns.com/about-kdd/
このプロフィールと美しいデザインに惹かれてメールマガジンに登録したんですよね。最近、本が再版されたというメールが来て、久しぶりにウェブサイトを見ていたら、編んでみたいカーディガンがたくさん。その中から冬に合いそうなHirneというパターンを購入しました。
Hirne (kit or download) - Kate Davis Design
先週久しぶりに市内の手芸店に毛糸を見に行って、濃いグレーの毛糸を選びました。子供は明るい色が好きで、「うわ、かあさん、またいつもと同じような色を選んで！」と言われてしまいました。紺とかグレーとか、カーキとか、土っぽい色が好きなのです 😅
週末にウエストのリブを編み終えて、4.0mmと4.5mmの長い輪針がないことに気づいて、あとで手芸店に買いに行こうと思っています。
さて、この写真を見て、「カーディガンなのになんで輪なの？」と思った人がいるかもしれません。変ですよね。私も最初にパターンをダウンロードして読んだ時にあれれと思いました。あとから切るsteekと呼ばれる部分を入れて、輪に編んでいく手法が採用されています。この編み方だと、表と裏を交互に繰り返す編み方よりも、ずっと表で編んでいけるので、目が整うのがよさそうです。私は裏編みが遅いのでその点でもありがたいです。
下の写真の輪の上の表編みが続いている部分がsteekです。初めて切る時にはドキドキ確実です。
長らく編み物をしているとマンネリになりがちですが、こうして時々新しい手法と出会って試すのは新鮮でよいです。今月後半は仕事が詰まっているので、来年1月に編み終えるのを目標にちょこちょこ編み進めていけたらと思っています。
そうそう、私が編み物をしていたら、子供も編み物をしたくなったようで、私の横で編んでいます。毎年少しずつ練習してずいぶん上手くなってきました。ピンクのふわふわの毛糸でマフラーを編むとのこと。
それではみなさん、Happy Needlework Monday!
Its a good start and I hope the outcome will be significant as well. Nice work
Thanks for the comment @diyhub! I try my best 😉
Steeking looks so fearsome when you first come across the idea (cutting your knitting? 😱), then makes more and more sense as you investigate it. I am experimenting with a V-neck jumper with steeked armholes and neckline (only later did I see the technique of casting off for the bottom of the armholes and then casting on for the steek), and integrated rib. The bit I haven't worked out yet is shaping the shoulders and additional height for the back - I'm guessing I will use short rows for that. I am coming to the tricky bit where I have to concentrate more, so I'm waiting for the holidays 🙂.
Wow you have multiple steeks! It sounds too exciting for me as a steeking beginner. I understand that you wait for holidays. I do heels for socks in the night time after my family sleeps 😁
I think I'm a fan of bright colors too just like your daughter
But I'm loving this grey and can't wait to see how this turns out.
Hi Monica! I think I must try really a vivid one and I can overcome my some kind of fear for wearing bright colors. I look forward to sharing the result next year :)