On the Importance of Details

I love simple patterns that include just one or two little details that make them really special. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to add those kinds of touches to my own designs, whether it’s an interesting hem line or a simple stripe or something a little more complex.

In the case of Schoonheid, a free pattern from Berroco, it’s a panel of lace that runs along the edge of an otherwise stockinette stitch triangular shawl. That little detail doesn’t boost the skill level significantly but it does make the project a lot more interesting and special than if it had been completely stockinette or worked with something like a garter stitch edging.

The yarn its worked in — Ultra Alpaca Light — is a beauty, too, reminding us once again that the yarn choice is super important when a project is simple because the quality of the yarn really shines through.

I may not ever knit this project but it sure has taught me a thing or two anyway!

[Photo via Berroco.]

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time.

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring.

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn.

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row.

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves.

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body.

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy.

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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