I sometimes read the search logs for my blog, because it’s interesting to see what people type in to arrive here.  Today I saw this: “Half Dollar Cardigan too long sleeves.”  Well, if that’s you… rejoice in the fact that you are not alone!  Almost all the completed or nearly completed ones I’ve seen feature this complaint.  Personally, I’ve been rocking the cuffed look.  I in fact wore it for Easter, and I can assure you that no one noticed.  I think the cable distracted them.

Last night I finished up the Puff Sleeved Cardigan, and it is currently drying on the dining room table.

I’m having buttonhole problems.  The buttonhole called for in the pattern made holes too big for my buttons (which are the size called for in the pattern) so I sewed them up a bit.  We’ll see if that proves to be a durable solution.  More on this when it finally dries and I can get modeled photos.

Yesterday’s post about possibly ripping my Sahara got me to thinking about my knitted/crocheted items that don’t see any wear at all.

Top to bottom: Sahara (cascade pima silk,) Rusted Root (Shine sport,) Sweet Pea shawl (Classic elite flash,) Crocheted shrug (Berroco Cotton twist.)  I am amused to note that being around all those strong colors sucked all the color out of my rusted root, which I can assure you is green, not gray.  I don’t wear any of these items.  The one that makes me the most sad is the shawl – it turned out beautifully, but I simply cannot wear that shade of pink (it’s the pink tweed color used in the “Happy Hooker” book.)   Rusted Root is a lost cause because of poor yarn choice, and because it was my first sweater.  I am in fact plotting a new rusted root in a more appropriate yarn.  Sahara has been discussed  – I tried it on again, and I think the only way to fix it is to completely redo the bottom and neckline lace… but even then I will have to realize it would fit better a size smaller.  And the shrug… don’t ask me why I thought it would be a great idea to make 40 granny squares and crochet them together, complete with mock ribbing around the edges (note to self: crocheted “ribbing” is not stretchy like actual ribbing.)

So there are my failures… does anyone else have projects like these –  completed, unworn, and unloved… but you can’t bring yourself to frog them?

On a happier note, I recently rediscovered the free pattern archives at Garnstudio.  I remember hearing a lot about the massive archives here when I was a crocheter (where there are far fewer cute patterns), but not nearly as much from the knitting community.  Phildar has been getting a lot of love lately, so I think I’ll give a little to another non-US company.  Here are some of my favorite designs:

 

Clicking on a picture should take you to the pattern.  I’ve put the first one shown (the cropped moss stitch cardigan) on my list to try out their patterns, and I also just adore the lacy tunic length sweater.  I also think that little vest looks a lot like Rowan’s “Bloom,” which is a happy thing… I was not going to purchase that entire magazine for one pattern.  If you go to the website you will find literally hundreds of free patterns translated into english.  The only thing to watch is whether the little flag shows a US translation or British.  If it’s British you will need to watch the needle sizes etc, but it really isn’t too difficult.  I’ve knit British patterns before with no problem.