What: I’ve finished knitting a new cardigan; another Miette, yes, that fantastically popular cardigan design and it’s super easy to see why, too. Such a quick and easy thing to make, top-down, seamless, cute with nicely subtle zig-zag lace design at all borders, free to download here. LOVE THIS SO MUCH! I’m just stuck on it and maybe I can never move on. A bad case of “fools never differ” happening here 😉
This is my third Miette, my previous two are dark green and mustard, all of them in Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed Aran. Green, yellow and now blue. Slightly embarrassing fact; I already have red wool purchased and earmarked for this design! The same yarn too … I could happily have the full colour range because they’re all pretty yummy 🙂
Why: Well, I have felt like a navy blue cardigan would be a very handy little colour to have on hand for aaaaaaages, and this is just me finally making it happen. Navy blue is a great neutral, I reckon it looks fab with everything, and even though it’s not officially one of “my” colours I think it’s rather lovely against the browns, yellows, oranges and reds that I tend to favour. I have a nice navy blue silk blazer which was/is terrific but I wanted a woolly cardigan. I think I’m more of a cardigan person than a blazer person.
Problemmos: Actually I anticipated a quick project out of this one since it is super easy and not my first go at it, but I had surprising rough trot this time. Mostly because this yarn is so dark dark dark navy, and I usually knit in front of the telly in terrible low light; and so half the time I literally could not tell whether a stitch was a knit or a purl. Seriously! Several times I had to frustratingly pull out a whole bunch of rows and re-do it because one wrong stitch had gone unnoticed… I ended up having a torch on standby to illuminate and assess the situ-bar as required. grrrrrr! This cardigan has taken me nearly all winter to finish!
Changeroonies: I made a small but vital change to the design this time; I transferred the bust dart shaping to the underarm side seam each side. I think this is a much better shaping pozzie for a small busted person like myself.
later edit; as requested, the details of moving the bust dart shaping to the underarms goes as follows:
To move the bust dart shaping to the underarm… row 56 is where the bust dart shaping starts; you follow the same shaping (reducing two stitches on each of the “fronts”) EXCEPT you are moving that shaping to the underarm stitch marker, instead of in the middle of the “fronts” of the cardigan.
So, instead of doing the ssk, k1, k2 tog in the middle of each front section of the cardigan, instead do this same shaping at the underarm marker. Do the same for rows 58,60,62,64,66
Details:
Cardigan; the Miette by Andi Satterlund, in Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tween Aran, col. 360039 (Midnight) from Calico and Ivy (6 balls)
Jeans; the Ginger jeans by Closet Case patterns, navy blue cotton denim, details here
Tshirt; Vogue 8879, ivory cotton jersey, details here
The following is some technical blahdy-blah notes to myself, ‘cos I always forget this and have to re-knit tension squares, which I do not enjoy:
I’ve knitted the main using three different needle sizes for the three cardigans, because the tension of the design does not match the tension of my chosen yarn exactly. The Miette recommends 16st x 22rows per 10cm square, while the DBliss Aran tension is 18st x 24rows per 10cm square. So, my first, green Miette was knitted on size 9 (UK) or 3 3/4mm needles, giving a tension midway between that recommended for the yarn and the design and is a slightly relaxed fit. The second, mustard Miette was knitted on size 10 or 3 1/2mm needles, giving the correct tension for the yarn but a tighter tension than the design; and was a closer fit. This cardigan is knitted on size 8 or 4mm needles, giving me the correct tension for the design and a slightly loose tension for the yarn, and is a more relaxed fit. I like all of them, the differences do not feel massive.
I definitely prefer moving the bust shaping to the underarm.
Also, each version, I’ve extended the length by 2 pattern repeats, this requires picking up 79 stitches for the front button bands. Each version I’ve selected size 42, which is technically a size up for me, but I remember from my first go at this pattern that “my” size would be a tad too tight for my tastes… I had to unravel and start over! It might work to go down a size in the looser tension; would be a risk but maaaaaybe? I might just try it for my red version… we’ll see.
I need 6 balls of the Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tween Aran, and with the two extra pattern repeats 10 buttons. These 1.5cm, navy blue ones are from Fabulous Fabrics
Lovely as always!
Navy is my colour of the moment. Over the last three months I have made a navy skirt and navy jacket. I have also purchased a new denim skirt and navy shorts (charity shop) so now all my patterned makes go with something. I loved that pattern but I did the holes 8 times!!!! and in the end my mum knit it for me… Mums are great. You are going to get so much wear out of that, it is fabulous. Jo x
Beautiful! This makes me wants to knit too! By the way, the color looks great on you.
Love the navy and white combination. Lovely photos against the choppy sea too. Beautiful cardigan.
So cute. I agree with you, this is a lovely little cardigan. One I've been thinking about making for a year or so. Navy wool! so hard to see. Same for sewing navy and black, makes my eyes hurt. Can't wait to see your red version!
Oh, another lovely cardigan! I am missing a blue one, too, and this midnight blue is so pretty! I know what you mean by dark wool being knitted at the telly! And red wool! For years I want to knit a strawberry one 🙂
Hi! Could you please detail how you moved the shaping to the underarm? I am working on my first one. Yours is very pretty! It's your green one that made me try the pattern 🙂 many thanks!
Hello L!, firstly, thank you!
To move the bust dart shaping to the underarm… row 56 is where the bust dart shaping starts; you follow the same shaping (reducing two stitches on each of the "fronts") EXCEPT you are moving that shaping to the underarm stitch marker, instead of in the middle of the "fronts" of the cardigan.
So, instead of doing the ssk, k1, k2 tog in the middle of each front section of the cardigan, instead do this same shaping at the underarm marker. Do the same for rows 58,60,62,64,66
I hope I've explained this ok 🙂
Oh thank you!!! Yes it does… Now it makes sense! Very clever! Many thanks:)
Perhaps knitting with a headlamp? You can get red ones that don't disturb your vision. It's like being a knitting ninja! Love your cardi. I have made one in my "size" according to pattern and never worn it. Too fitted for my taste as well. Perhaps it's time for a re-knit.
What a great sweater–well worth having multiple versions in different colors.
So, I guess if I get wooed into taking up knitting again, this would be the pattern to start with, yes? I have knitted a few things years ago…scarves, a vest, a chunky pullover, but there's something about a simple cardigan that just says hand-knit with love! And yes, I love yours and, although simple, Ginger jeans and a white Tee as go-withs just makes my heart beat a little faster.
Knitting seems to require lots of numbers and the ability to remember what you've just done. The fact that there are so many buttons alone makes me want to run. Hahaha. So, I shall admire and exclaim, I love that cardigan!, and leave this tremendous talent to the pros. I can see why you would want a version in every colour.
This is a very beautiful and versatile cardigan. I don't think this colour doesn't suit you – is there anyone dark blue doesn't suit? 🙂 But you could always let a bit of "your" colours peek out around your neck which lessens the wrong-colour- effect in my opinion. (Which you already do in the pictures ;-)) This is what I try to do with black, which I believe doesn't suit me.
Very lovely. Miette is certainly popular. Ive just taken up knitting maybe by next winter I'll be ready to give the Miette a try. I have a small folding and usb re-chargable desk light that I use for hand sewing dark colours while watching TV, very handy.
You look lovely, Carolyn! You have such a great sense of personal style! I love Miette. It's my favourite cardigan pattern and I've knit four of them.
Love the navy on you, even if it isn't one of 'your' colours, I think it looks good on everyone! I think moving the darts to the underarm works better too. My first one I did the bust darts, but if you don't have the buttons done up all the time the darts sit funny. For my second I made the larger size, and underarm darts. I'm so much happier with the fit.
Another wonderful Miette. I think moving the darts is a good idea, I've seen a couple of other people do this and it does improve the shape and the appearance. I am looking forward to your red version.
Wow, this is lovely! Is there anything you can't do? 🙂
Looks beautiful! When working on dark fabric or with dark yarn in low light, use a white pillowcase underneath the fabric or yarn and it helps to define the fabric or yarn, so you can see if you have followed the pattern correctly.
This is lovely and I think the colour is perfect! I've had this pattern in my stash since it first came out but haven't knitted it yet because I've never knitted in the round nor have I knitted from the top down and have no idea what I'm doing. I can only follow a flat pattern without changes except for the length. Every time I see the Miette I love it more so I really should just bite the bullet and give it a go 🙂
Great idea to move the bust darts to the side seams. I kind of don't like the look of them on my 2 Miettes. I have some navy blue yarn in my stash for some time now and it is too waiting to become a miette 😉 After seeing yours I'm totally reassured that a navy vlue miette looks great, I think I will copy yours 🙂
Beautiful! The cardigan and the setting. And thanks for the download link.
It's beautiful. I can see why you have made several already. Your red one will be just as fabulous.
It's lovely, Carolyn. I am an 'autumn' too, my palette has a soft navy blue called French navy in, but I love all navies and tend to use it as the base colour in my wardrobe. It seems to look well with almost every other colour!
Beautiful navy Miette and agree it works so well in our wardrobes.
I am loving Navy at the moment. It makes a pleasant change from black. I can understand you making this again. It is a great pattern.
Ok that's it! I'm going to knit another Meitte! I have made a deep red one but I love your navy. I may have to copy this one as I wear a lot of navy. Gorgeous pictures as well!!
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