Tangled Yoke Cardigan

Gift for my friend Ella who needs a warm cardigan because she lives in the Pacific Northwest and it gets cold there in the winter.  Nothing warmer than cables knit in alpaca.

Pattern: Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang
Interweave Knits Fall 2007

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed (wool, alpaca and rayon blend)
8 skeins (1528 yards)
sportweight at 6 stitches/inch in garter rib
colorway: SH160 (Gilt)

Eunny Jang created a classic with this one.  I love all the design elements - especially the cable detail at the yoke.  It's decorative without being fussy.

Her pattern was well written with clear directions.  The sleeves are knit in the round and the bottom half of the cardigan is knitted in one piece with mock seams at the sides.  Then it's all joined up for the yoke. Aside from seaming the armpit areas, there's no sewing at the end.  Which is perfect for this yarn as it lends itself beautifully to the Russian Join method.

She also utilizes short row shaping for the back of the neck area.  While I had muddled around with short rows in the past, I had always had issues with wrapping the stitches to avoid holes.  So off I went to find some help and found this. (Just scroll down to the video entitled "short row with wrap.").

I ended up using the recommended yarn for this pattern.  I loved the color and the tweedy look was perfect for this garment.  It knitted up quite nice with great stitch definition.  And it was warm warm warm.  Sadly though, my sensitive skin won't let me wear any alpaca - the fine hairs tickle my nose and makes my skin itch.  I have the same problem with mohair.  I don't think it's an allergy issue.  It's a sensitivity thing.  Hopefully Ella doesn't have the same issues.

I loved knitting this cardigan.  I hope Ella loves wearing it too.