Having style this time of year can be a challenge. Chilly weather and short days can create a general malaise when you go to your closet. It’s tempting to reach for the same turtleneck and jeans day after day. This is why the sweater dress is sheer genius.
Kristen led a Cadence KAL with Sarah called The Newbie and the Knitter this fall and she made her’s into a dress! Look at all the cute ways she’s styled it. Doesn’t it look cute and cozy all at once?
Jordana was thrilled when she saw this. “Cadence is the perfect sweater to make into a dress because it knits up so quickly.”
Kristen’s in love with her creation: “ I needed a cosy knitted dress in my hand-knitted wardrobe so Cadence by Jordana Paige, being top-down and thick gauge, was a really great opportunity to modify into a dress. And I am so happy with it! I have been wearing it for pretty much the whole week solid!”
You can read more about her work at her blog or over on Ravelry. Nice work Kristen! It makes me wanna grab some tea, curl up and knit.
There is so much that I love about Andrea‘s Cadence. First of all, that mustard yellow yarn (it’s Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in Sunset)…gorgeous! Andrea is a gal who knows what colors and silhouettes look great on her. And, she takes the time to make sure her knitwear comes out right.
Whenever possible I design sweaters top down, the benefit being you can try the sweater on as you go and get a perfect fit. Really, there’s no excuse for a sweater you’ve made yourself not fitting right. It’s impossible for a designer to write a pattern for every body type and size. Think of a pattern as just a starting point, but certainly not a law that has to be followed to the stitch. It will take a little extra time and I guarantee some ripping, but when you cast off and put on a sweater that fits your body so perfectly, you’ll know it was worth it.
WHEN AND WHERE TO CHECK FIT
Using the measurements from the schematic, fit your sweater before you begin. You could even compare the schematic measurements to a sweater in your closet so you’ll know what the fit will be like.
Assuming you’re knitting top down, after a few inches, hold the sweater up to your back. Do the edges end at your shoulders or is it hanging off your shoulders? If it’s an oversized sweater, that’s okay, but a fitted sweater should not.
Before you join the front and back pieces, check the depth of the armhole. You’ll probably need to slide the stitches onto scrap yarn so you can properly fit the garment.
Are the girls getting properly covered? Try the sweater on a couple inches past the bust. Do you need to add short rows?
Before casting off check the length. Try the sweater on with the pants or skirt you intend to wear it with.
Check the sleeves. Are they way too wide or tight. Increase or decrease some stitches at the underarm as needed. Be sure to check the length too.
Andrea was great about following these test points. And, it was only her second sweater! After doing 4″ of the body she discovered she needed to add some short rows to the bust. For the sleeves she increased at the arm opening and then decreased before the elbow. You can read all her modifications on Ravelry.
One of Jordana’s favorite things is seeing how other people knit her patterns and modify them. She’ll often spend time on Ravelry looking at the finished work of others knitting her designs. One of my favorite things is to say the word delicious. I just love the way my mouth feels when I say it, and the fact that it describes delectable food? Well, there’s a bonus.
That’s why when Jordana found MediaPeruana’s version of her Delysia Camisole named Delicious, we were both equally stoked.
Jordana made a comment on her project, which resulted in a great blog post from Media Peruana. Her writing is entertaining, easy to read and funny, plus she is pretty excited about Jordana telling her that Delicious is pretty. Isn’t it? The color is lovely as well.
Jordana loves to see how others style her designs. If you have something you’d like to share, comment with the link to the photos or email us to let us know!
Cadence is Kenoshia’s first sweater. It was originally intended for her mom, but the bind off at the waist was too tight to be comfortable. Undefeated, she put the sweater on her little sister and turned it into a sweater dress. ADORABLE!!
Here’s a little sampling of the 168 Cadence pullovers that have been knit. Click on a sweater or quote for more info. They’ve all given really great project tips and modifications. Beautiful work gals!
After learning how to knit at Bobbin’s Nest, only a few months later, Su tackled her first adult sweater, Amused. For those new knitters out there, or those afraid to try knitting a sweater, I hope Su inspires you. She ripped it out several times, learned how to make a proper m1, provisional cast on, cabling, knitting in the round and about sweater construction. The best way to learn is to just go for it and know that ripping out is part of the learning process. Even us “pros” do a lot of ripping.
“…a perfect fall project – simple, zen, round and round stockinette bliss that allows you to stare out the window at the leaves changing color while enjoying the silence of the new school year.” -Cheryl
Cheryl’s is the first finished Cadence that I’ve seen. She whipped it up in just six days. Cheryl cast on for the XS so the neck wouldn’t be as wide and then made adjustments in the increasing to reach the measurements for a small at the bust. She used 2 skeins of Cascade Yarns Eco +.
Here’s some of her comments. You can read her all her comments about the sweater on Ravelry.
This would be a great “learn to knit top down sweaters” sweater for a class or something – easy to customize for just the right fit. And also to learn lace basics, chart reading, etc…
Only wish I would have gone a tad longer for the arms – oh well.
I might just have to wear this every day during fall…
Have you started knitting your wardrobe for the coming months? Here’s a little inspiration from Leigh. She knit Landon for her mother, Cheryl. Can’t you just feel the fresh, icy air on your cheeks as you walk down the street wrapped in a warm wool sweater?
Here’s what Leigh said about the pattern:
It was a great pattern and a joy to knit. This project was sort of a family affair; It was the first sweater I’d made for my mother (pictured), who is so pleased with the result and wears it all the time. Also, the walnut shawl pin closure was carved by my husband.
Last June my mom cast on Emmery. Voila, it’s done! She’s so pleased the sweater (knit in Ultra Alpaca Light by Berroco) and I think it looks great on her. It’s the first Jordana Paige pattern she’s knit. Sold on the fabulousness of top-down sweaters, she’s now cast on Landon.
Wendy has finished making Catalina. It fits her so well! Just beautiful. Wendy used Lisa Souza Baby Alpaca Silk in Mulberry. She made two modifications; the front band is a bit wider and the sleeves are full length. She used the stitch pattern from the lower half of the cardigan to trim the sleeves. Very pretty.
