Hanging out in my sauna-like upstairs sweatshop suite of rooms and with the help of Andrew Bird, whom I adore, I finished this lovely seamless sweater (aka the Garter Yoke Cardi) in a flurry of overheated knitting. I must admit I’m quite pleased with the results if I do say so myself.

I made the medium size even though I’m a chesty gal and usually wear a large or even extra-large. However, I followed my instincts and my new rule of sizing DOWN even though it seemed touch and go for awhile. I really didn’t think it would fit and I was preparing to give it away but voila and whadya know. It fits me! I am beside myself with joy!

Fresh from Pilates and with impeccable posture, my sister Karen modeled the newly completed Garter Yoke Cardi on a warm, warm evening. I knew it would look terrific on her! Remember I said we had a gaggle of July birthdays in our family? Well today just happens to be Karen’s birthday. Happy Birthday Karen!!!!

I did sort of promise this sweater to Karen – I tend to give away a lot of my hand knits – but I’m having trouble parting with it. It’s my baby. I know it all makes me sound like something of a schmuck but just like no one can love your child the way you do, no one can love your hand knits as much as you, the knitter, can. Does that make sense?

(Check out Andrew Bird performing one of my favorites, the Happy Birthday Song)

This sweater is easy and should have been finished by now. I’ve been working on it for a solid two months. So what’s the hold up? Length. I couldn’t decide how long to make the body so I put the stitches on some scrap yarn, and started a sleeve. Now I can’t decide how long to make the sleeve.

Indecision. The whole sweater is in a holding pattern right now awaiting my final decision(s).

I will probably make it a little longer than pictured in the magazine. I know! I’ll just measure one of my sweaters that has the proper length. Why didn’t I think of that?

What I’m loving about the sweater is the subtle shaping at the waist. I’ve tried it on and it looks like it will fit me even though I was worried (but I’m ALWAYS worried about the fit). The buttons are already picked out so can I knock this sweater out in the next couple of days? I’m going to give it the ol’ college try!

But I have to say this sweater is FAST. I think it helps that the the buttonhole band is knit in garter stitch as you go as are the buttonholes. I really love the construction and design of this sweater and I only hope it looks as good on me as off me. Not 100% sure about the neckline.

Here are the photos of the recently completed Urban Aran Cardigan which I promised you. Jessica seems to get roped into modeling all my knits from the Paton’s Street Smart booklet. Probably because she wears them so wonderfully. Can you believe she’s the mother of three!?!?!?

The zipper actually wasn’t so bad. With the moral support of Michelle, it went rather effortlessly. Just a lot of sewing up which I’m not so keen on. We took advantage of a nice warm break in the weather a few weeks ago and took our knitting down to Lake Lacamas. As the pollen floated in the air, I basted the zipper and finished it later at home.

The gals at knitting night have convinced me that it’s flattering and definitely a keeper. So yes, I’m keeping  it.

And of course I must acknowledge Jared Flood aka brooklyntweed who had the original inspiration to turn this sweater into a zippered cardigan. Thanks Jared!