Honey, I shrunk the sleeves

I really did knit the sleeves for Maggie to the called-for length before raglan shaping. I don't have monkey arms, just regular ones so the pattern length should fit me just right. But wait, just take a good look at the Maggie Tweed photo on Kim Hargreaves website. The sleeves are just hovering on top of the glove cuffs. So I might not be the only one but then models do tend to have monkey arms though.

I didn't measure or try to figure out row gauge but now I suspect it might be off and a few inches of the sleeves might have been eaten up by the raglan. It doesn't really sound quite logical, but you all must have known that I'm not a very technical knitter anyway. I could always wear my sleeves pushed up like in the website. I kind of like it this way. Hehe, and maybe I should go and get myself one of those wide belts too.

On second thoughts, the sweater now looks a bit short on the whole. Maybe I should try knitting sweaters with more comfy length next time, and not another short one.

Sorry, lady at the escalator, it wasn't meant to have you included in the photo but it is impossible to have the mid-level escalator all to myself during lunch on a work day. And it was too sunny so the colour is quite off in this photo.

A closer look at the collar. Look at the nice, subtly wavy picot edges. Talking about the collar, I added some short rows to the back neck so that it would not sag down, I think it gives a better fit. Forgot to take a photo of that though. The picot edging detail is repeated at the sleeve cuffs and the sweater base.

The specifics. The pattern is from the Kim Hargreaves kit, Maggie (note, the sleeve length looks okay in this version). I just substituted the Wool Cotton with Jo Sharp Silkroad DK (colour Cedar which is a dark forest green), which has good yardage and 6.5 balls were used to knit this cardigan (I bought 13 of them!). I used 3.25mm needles for the borders and 3.75mm for the main body.

Comments

[grumperina]

It sounds like you have enough leftover yarn for another! I think it's a lovely sweater, and though the sleeve length is ambiguous, I'm quite fond of the sweater's overall proportions. Looks great - enjoy!

[Adrienne]

It looks wonderful though!

[joy]

I like that sleeve length. Looks like the weather will cooperate so you can wear it for a few more days. :-)

[stacey]

It came out beautiful - I like the scrunched up sleeve look - you'd never know they were too short!

[Norma]

I LOVE that sweater! I'm always pushing my sleeves up, so the short sleeves would be a bonus to me. Love the shape. Need. :)

[Toni Jo]

I think it's still beautiful, and I'm quite drawn to the sleeve length as it is. It looks fantastic on you!

[Daniela]

I think that cardigan is really lovely! Makes me want to knit it for myself. You look really chic. I understand what you are saying about the sleeves, but perhaps they are meant to be that length. In any case they length of the sleeves doesn't in any way detract from the overall good looks.

[MJ]

It looks great, and I love the sleeve length as is. You *could* always cut it just above the sleeve ribbing, add more rounds, and then graft that section to the sleeve. But I'd leave it. Just make another one! :-)

[Courtney]

Ooooh, it came out SO well! That color is really beautiful on you, and the sleeve length, though frustrating I am sure, looks divine! They look elegant pushed up on the arms because they aren't regular length so they don't bunch. Very nice...love the curved fronts on that.

[Jenn]

I think the shorter length and pushed up sleeves looks very stylish. Beautiful work, as always!

[chemgrrl]

I think it looks nice too. Were you able to buy just the pattern from the Kim Hargreaves site? I can only find the kits.

[suzanne]

Its's lovely! You are much too hard on yourself.

I love the fit, and the short arms really work for the design. They might be hard to wear and make you angry, but it looks good. I love the design--and I'd make one too. The gentle wave of the buttonbands, the shaping at the bottom--simple and beautiful.

[yuvee]

LOVE it! It looks awesome, especially in the second picture. I think it's the perfect length and the sleeves look much cooler pushed up like that.

[yuvee]

LOVE it! It looks awesome, especially in the second picture. I think it's the perfect length and the sleeves look much cooler pushed up like that.

[Agnes]

Very chic! Maybe that sleeve-length is not a bad idea ... kind of convenient ... not fearing the sleeves picking up "stuff" around.

[vanessa]

I still think it's pretty!! I love how it looks on you. Cropped sweater is very in and "yes" you should definitely get one of those belt. I think you'll look very stylish on it :)

[Claire]

I like it with the sleeves pushed up. The yarn goes very well with the style.

[Jennifer]

I think it looks beautiful! The sleeves are more 3/4 sleeves. I love that length.

[Lily]

The sweater looks good on you. I love the picot edging too.

[Rebecca]

Your blog is sensational, I can't believe that I haven't come across it before now. Your knitting is amazing, I wish I could read Japanese, the patterns are much more to my taste than any I have ever seen! Thanks for such a great contribution to the knitting/craft blog world!!

[lauray]

That is absolutely drop dead gorgeous chic! I'm crazy bout 3/4 sleeves intentional or accidental! :) Way to go!

[handknit168]

Maggie is beautiful and I like the colour. I think the Maggie is OK for you, for I like a short length and not too long sleeves as Kim's.

[erin]

It looks so good on you! The sleeves turned out perfect in its own way, and I like everything about this cardigan. This mid-level escalator is interesting, I've been to HK a few times but I have not encountered it before :)

[Tina]

This looks absolutely beautiful.
I love KH designs, they all have this perfect finish.

[Oiyi]

Another beautifully knit garment! Bravo!