Fall Acer*

*This was written way back in December 2012...so I'm a wee bit off in the posting mainly because I never liked any of the pictures of this cardigan.  Today I tried again, then decided that these were just going to have to do.

It was so nice to knit something other than a sock.  Don't get me wrong I really enjoy knitting socks, but lately it has gotten a bit stale.  It could be the feeling I MUST get the monthly sock done before the stroke of midnight...or it could just be that I craved bigger needles and some yummy yarn. 

The yarn I used traveled across the country with us this summer and never saw the 'light of day' due to my inability to knit after dark.  I had such great expectations that I would actually knit two pairs of socks and still have time to start a fall sweater.  It did not happen. It was weird not to knit daily, but after a full day in the great outdoors the thought of knitting by flashlight wasn't too appealing.

A few weeks back I decided to finally start a new cardigan.  One in particular with cables and a bit of lace really caught my attention...Acer Cardigan.  Interesting pattern that was easily memorized and required very little seaming.  Although I do enjoy putting pieces together this pattern seemed to suit the yarn so well.

It was my first time knitting with this yarn and I really loved how it felt in my hands.  It is a 100% superwash merino in a DK weight that really feels soft and squishy against the skin.  The cables really do pop against the lace which looks terrific.  Wonderful yarn...no splitting and no knots.  Three Irish Girls does a fantastic job dying their yarns to order.  I cannot wait until my next order shows up...

Details:
Pattern:  Acer Cardigan by Amy Christoffers; 

Yarn:  Springvale DK by Three Irish Girls;  DK / 8 ply;  100% Merino;  270 yards; colorway is driftwood; 2 double skeins that each weighed in at 9 1/4 oz/ 262 grams or a total of 18 1/2 oz/ 524 grams.  I ended up with 4 oz/114 grams leftover.

Needles:  US 6, Addi clicks

Gauge:  20 stitches by 28 rows in 4" in stockinette stitch

Modifications:  I mainly stuck with the pattern as written.  I did not change anything other than to slip the first stitch of each row while knitting the body.  It made it super easy to pickup stitches for the button bands.  While I was knitting I decided to add an extra button hole to the band.  The pattern called for 6, but it struck me that the distance between each was too much and would risk the dreaded gapping.  I hate gapping which is why I have chosen zippers for my last two sweaters.

I was able to find proper buttons even though I had a hard time narrowing down my choices.  If there had been a button sale I would have bought them all.  I ended up using a set that matched the sweater.  I'm a bit conflicted since I liked the contrasting ones too...my dear husband did not like the contrast and changed my mind.

The one thing that was more fiddly than I expected was the set in sleeves.  I usually knit both sleeves flat and then seam them.  The pattern called for the sleeves to be knit in the round and then set the sleeve in place.  I  like the look of the set in sleeve, but it drove me nuts getting the seam to look nice.  I may re-evaluate it after it has dried from blocking.  I tried a shot of steam to smooth it out, but it still looks a little messy to me.  After it has dried I'll see if it bothers me enough to redo the seam.**

**Nope I still have the same sleeves.  The blocking helped smooth out the seam, but the sleeves feel tight when worn over long sleeves.  I do like wearing it with tanks and shorter sleeved tops...the lace isn't so great in winter anyway.