Hitofude: version 2.0

 

I have a finished knit to show you finally. I’ve been working on three knitting projects at the same time and I thought I’d end up finishing them at different times and then adding in new projects. Turns out I went ahead and just knit all three projects at the same rate and finished all three of them within a few days or each other. This Hitofude cardigan is the only one that I’ve managed to completely block and even wear this week…..the weather dipped below 80F (25 C) and I declared it sweater weather (for about 10 minutes!)

I actually made the Hitofude cardigan last year. It was my second sweater/cardigan that I’d made and I loved it! I loved making it, I loved the feel of the cardigan against my skin, I loved the colour…..I loved everything except the fit. Even after a really hard block where I stretched out the lace work it wasn’t right. At first I thought I’d be ok with it – it wasn’t crop top short but it was above the waist band of my jeans when I normally like the length to be at least 3-4 inches longer (to detract from the backside!) and the front of the cardigan pulled up really high and I though it looked a bit weird.

Thus it lived in the bottom of the closet for a year – until I was doing a clear out recently, rediscovered it and realized that I loved it enough to rip it all back out and remake it. Luckily when I’d bought the yarn, which is Madelinetosh Light in the Medieval colorway, I’d bought 3 skeins and only used 2 when I knit the cardigan. I think the last time I made it I made a small according to the measurements but this time I erred on the side of caution and made a medium.

I also changed up the pattern a little – I didn’t like the way it pulled up at the front which is cause by all the extra stitches in that area so I decreased the number of stitches. I did 4 repeats of chart A below the rib band before moving to charts B-D (I didn’t do chart E at all) and for each of the charts B-D I repeated the last 8 rows one extra time. This allowed me to get extra length without increasing the number of stitches at the same rate.

I really like how it turned out this time. The length is perfect for how I like it. The front sits flatter than the original version and I think it makes it more flattering and easier to wear. I’m really glad that decided to remake this one, now I have a cardigan that’ll be very heavily in rotation this Autumn rather than languishing in the bottom of the wardrobe forgotten.

Now to start blocking the featherweight and the daybreak shawl!

[Linking up with Frontier Dreams and Small Things]

Comments

[Corlene]

Your Hitofude is GORGEOUS! Love the color! You did a great job! Congrats on redoing and making something you love instead.

[Kat]

I love this so much! It looks amazing on you, and I really like the added length and modified fronts. I definitely might have to add this one to my queue :)

[Kristina]

I LOVE this pattern. It has been on my to-do list forever. Beautiful work!

[Tahnee]

What a great remake, it fits perfectly! I adore the colour you used, so pretty. I can't believe I haven't knit this pattern yet, I must be one of the last knitters on earth to still make a hitofude :D

[Ine]

It looks so sophisticated and the color is very nice. Congratulations!

[ann]

It looks stunning! I've loved the look of Hitofude, but didn't like the length and how it is high in the front. Maybe I'll have to give it a try with your mods. Thanks!

[Wollwesen]

It looks so beautiful!
I didn`t know this pattern yet...

Thanks to you,
Helga

[Lucy Bowen]

Your hitofude is stunning. Every time I see another, I so want to start mine, but I really must finish other things first!

[Brandy]

The remake looks great! Definitely a flattering fit.

[sprite]

It's gorgeous. Congratulations on sticking with a second round of knitting.

[Kepanie]

Okay, to remake this project? You have unwavering patience! This is such an extraordinary FO. Splendid job.

[Jennifer Miller]

I'm glad I read this! I have charts D & E left to do and I should try it on then and see how it is fitting and decide if I want to do a similar plan to what you did. I have enough yarn, but do I have enough time? I want to wear it to Rhinebeck in a couple of weeks, so I best be on it!