Finished Object: Lia Chunky Cable Knit Sweater

There’s something about knitting a chunky cable knit sweater which just feels so Autumnal. I cast on Lia when there was barely a chill in the air, and now the days are so short and drizzly, it feels amazing to wrap myself in piles and piles of chunky cables.

Lia isn’t a new pattern: it’s from a 2010 issue of Knitty. When I was first learning to knit and crochet, I read every back issue of Knitty. It seemed so amazing! Everyone was so skillful. Now I would feel confident attempting… well, at least half of the patterns in every issue, I’m going back and making some of my favourites.

Lia was one of them.

I love the cable detail on the belly, the way it acts as waist shaping. In retrospect, I could have used some more waist shaping. I said the same thing about my Stopover, so I guess I better take that as a lesson learned: the next sweater I knit I’ll add shaping! I did wonder when choosing sizes if I was picking the right one, but thought that an oversized chunky cable knit sweater wouldn’t be a bad thing. And I am pleased with the finished product!

I wore it to work, and to Nerd Nite, and only one person asked if I’d made it. I take that as a good sign, that it looked professional. I don’t have a problem with my hand showing in work. Not many people can make something that’s as perfect as a machine, and that’s okay. But i do want to create work to a high standard, and that’s a sign I succeeded. (The only person that asked if I’d made the jumper was Rabia, who is highly attuned to my crafting, because of the blanket I made her!)

What I’m less happy with is the yarn: it’s pilling already, and the cable details aren’t as crisp as I’d like. Oh well – it’s hardly a tragedy to have a “sloppy” sweater for weekends. And i can take the lessons learned forwards to my next chunky cable knit sweater project!

A photo posted by Rachel (@amiguru.me) on Oct 26, 2016 at 11:14pm PDT

Lia Chunky Cable Knit Sweater Notes

• Pattern: Lia.
• Yarn: Drops Eskimo.
• Modifications: knit a smaller size for sleeves, as they seemed too large. In retrospect should have done the same for the body!