Tangerine in CeCe

Finished my CeCe a few days ago...it's spending some time on the blocking board drying.  Quite a bit of time.  Why does cotton yarn take FOREVER to dry?  Today I decided that I needed the fan blowing on it to keep the darn thing from rotting on the board.  Maybe tomorrow pictures can be taken...

The cardigan took about a month to finish which is pretty surprising to me.  I did get bored...also surprising.  The most unusual aspect of knitting this cardigan was that I disliked the pattern...a lot actually.  I've knit a number of Chicknit patterns and have thoroughly enjoyed every single one...until CeCe.   The pattern was easily memorized and it had very little seaming, but it just didn't keep me interested.  Boredom in knitting is pretty much the kiss of death.  I persevered though and got it done without too much cussing.  The end result is fine...not spectacular, but functional.  Not a ringing endorsement of the pattern is it?  I know others that liked it so much that they have knit it many many times.  I don't think I'm in that camp.

Details:
Pattern:  CeCe by Bonnie Marie Burns of Chicknits 

Yarn:  Rowan Calmer; 80% cotton, 20% elite polyester; 175 yards in a 50 gram ball; in a tangerine colorway.  I used almost 5 balls from the stash...it is one of those lovely discontinued yarns.  Don't you love it when that happens and you run out of yarn?

Needles:  US 7 and US 8; Addi Clicks

Gauge:  20 stitches x 28 rows using US 8

Modifications:  I knit the pattern as directed for the most part.  I did not knit the increases into the pattern.  The pattern was over 9 stitches and looked weird knit with less so I chose to knit it as stockinette.  Still a bit odd looking, but the sides and arms all match up so I left it.  I also knit the neckband together using the kitchener stitch rather than just sewing it.  Actually a neat trick since ribbing was involved.  I remembered an article in Interweave Knits from a while back...Spring 2010.  Pulled the magazine and easily followed Techknitter's advice in the article "Demystifying Kitchener Stitch."   It worked very nicely and is such a simple idea.  I never would have figured it out on my own.

Too bad the neckband wasn't knitted on...the seam is a distraction.  IF I ever knit another one I think I may try to change that to a knitted on border. 

After blocking I added a button.  Now I'm ready for the summer season...a nice cardigan to wear on those cool summer evenings out West in a few weeks.  It may be a bit too girly for the wilds of Wyoming though.