Over the end-of-year vacation, I completed what has become my all time favorite project. I used the Victorian Pink Lamb's Pride Bulky that I bought a few months ago from the ladies at Discontinued Yarn. It looks like they have a few colors still in stock for a great price of $4.25 each! My favorite online yarn pusher Little Knits also has a selection on discount at $4.65 a skein.
I really love LP Bulky- it's a soft, cushy, single ply yarn that feels wonderful gliding through your fingers onto your needles. Plus, it knits up VERY quickly! My only complaint is that it sheds like crazy. One day as I was picking tufts of mohair and wool off my black dress pants, a stranger remarked, "It looks like you've been rolling around with a cat!" Oh so true!
Since I was home, my little sister modeled the sweater for me.
Pattern: Sweaterbabe.com's 'Fabulous Lace Inset Cardigan'
Yarn: 6 skeins (I think) of Lamb's Pride Bulky in Victorian Pink
Needles: 10 1/2 Addis
Notes: Super simple and fast. I loosely followed the pattern, but altered the number of stitches and shaping of the body and sleeve caps to fit me. I found the pattern to be a little restrictive. Instead of "knit in pattern for 6 inches" or "work until desired length", it was "work 36 rows". Additionally, the pattern is only written in one size, though you could certainly make some easy changes for other sizes. It is a very simple pattern, so once you read through and get the general idea, you could just ditch the instructions.
I love the sleeves! I do believe I still have a thing for belled sleeves (it was certainly my thing in the early days of this blog!)
I found these GREAT buttons, silvery with a subtle pink streak running through them. Perfect! I have always steered clear of buttons in the past, but after this positive experience, I'm full of buttony love!
I have much more to share, so I suspect my next visit will be sooner than 3 months from now! :)
That looks great! Love the color too.
Posted by: mimsie | February 03, 2008 at 04:45 AM
I was wondering where you went! And then you not only come back but with a vengeance creating beautiful sweaters that have been in my queue for ages. I really like it in the pink.
I would have to find a substitute yarn because I am not as much a lover of the lambs pride due to the mohair content. How did you like the body length of the sweater? Did you modify that at all? Some people say it is too cropped for them? Ok, enough blabbing...
Did I mention I really like that sweater? Just in case...I love that sweater!
Posted by: Peacock Chic | February 03, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Hooray! You are back! I love the sweater, and of course I'm a huge fan of the color. I've been hesitating about casting on for my next sweater project, but seeing this success story might just push me to get going.
Posted by: allison | February 03, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Fabulous! :)
Posted by: karen | February 03, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Looks beautiful! I love that color on you (well, your sister, but you too ;))
Looks like a snuggly sweet sweater--perfect for this blustery rainy weather we're having here in S.D.
Posted by: Wendy | February 03, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I agree, the buttons make it look fabulous. It is so, so pretty! I've never heard of this pattern before...you should post your pic in the Project Spectrum Flickr group, Feb/March's colors are red, orange, and pink. :o)
Posted by: Julia | February 03, 2008 at 05:42 PM
What a beautiful sweater! I can see how it's become your favorite!
Posted by: Erin | February 04, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Hey, good to see you back! That is such a beautiful sweater!
Posted by: lobstah | February 04, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Love, love, LOVE the sweater!!! You did a fabulous job!
Posted by: madalyn | February 04, 2008 at 02:34 PM
What a beautiful sweater! Great texture and I really love that shade of pink, too.
Posted by: AprilMayBornInJune | February 04, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Glad to see you back! Gorgeous sweater. Really gorgeous. Hope all is well with you :)
Posted by: Mel | February 04, 2008 at 10:08 PM
That is a great sweater that I had not seen before. I might have to add it to my queue of things to knit. I have some LP in my stash but not enough for a sweater.
Hope all is well & looking forward to seeing more of your FOs (knitting & otherwise).
Posted by: betzig | February 06, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Oh, that's gorgeous.
Posted by: Corvus | February 07, 2008 at 07:28 AM
That sweater looks great! Glad to see you blogging again, too. I know how life gets away from you and blogging goes to the bottom of the list.
Posted by: Dani in NC | February 09, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Oh, it's gorgeous!
Posted by: Stephanie | February 11, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Oooh, love it! Belled sleeves are some of my favorite.
Posted by: LisaB | March 09, 2008 at 05:29 PM
hey may, you done good
Posted by: nicole | April 06, 2008 at 12:52 PM