Almost a Piece of (Red Velvet) Cake

Despite the nice compliments from tapmouse & others when I wore this to work today, I'm conflicted on the size I chose.

When I knitted my first Wendy Bernard pattern, the Marilyn Not So Shrunken Cardigan, I went up 1 size which was 2 sizes too large. I frogged that sweater with the intention of some day re-knitting it in a more appropriate size. Then, when I started my Simple Knitted Bodice by Stephanie Japel (Glampyre), I started 1 size smaller (recommended by other SKB knitters) but ended up going back up to my size for the top portion and back down for the rest of the sweater. This lead me to start the Something Red in my size instead of 1 size smaller with the intention of probably going down a size for the rest.

But then I made a tactical error and decided that since the ribbing for the rest of the sweater will pull in a bit, I would take the chance & not reduce the size. If I had swatched a piece transitioning from the St st to the ribbed portion, I would've known better, but did not. Now I'm thinking I should've started the whole thing one size smaller especially since the sleeves are on the loose side and I can't tell if the body in the ribbing section is just right or not.

On the plus side, the pattern in and of itself is elegant in its simplicity. I would definitely knit the pattern again, but maybe in Cotton Ease or Rowan All Seasons Cotton. The Knitpicks Main Line does feel a bit heavy despite it's 25% wool content. It's still cozy feeling and would be a good weekend sweater, but perhaps a lighter cotton blend would make for a better work cardigan. On the negative side, I didn' t realize the yarn sheds like the dickens. Perhaps the black cotton/lycra shirt I wore today wasn't the best choice under the cardigan, but it's still a bit annoying.

This is the second time I've knit with Main Line, but the first time for myself. I hope the Dusty Lavendar Otis I knitted for my friend last year didn't shed all over her. I'll belatedly apologize now for that in case she has a chance to actually read my blog while unpacking at her new home halfway across the country.

In the future I'll just have to remember that Wendy Bernard designs have a bit more ease than Stephanie Japel for my upper body. From now on all my Wendy Bernard patterns will be made 1 size down (especially since I plan to knit the Tomato & Sahara tops at some point) and Stephanie Japel right at my size.

Of course, I have no idea how this personal rule of mine will have to be adjusted when I get to the decision point on my Ribby Pulli. Since it starts from the bottom, I have until 2" before the undearm to decide if I need to increase up a size. I'll need to quiz the Purlescence crew about this sweater since their mini-KAL for it is what got tapmouse & I started on this. (Also, most of the sweater will be in purple so it'll qualify as my second sweater in the Project Spectrum category.

And a quick belated thank you to Carrie for my blog contest prize. Her Lunasea is on the right, the one I bought at Stitches West on the left. I'll either make a shawl out of one (Forest Canopy?) and socks out of the other or make some whack knee highs with both. But it'll wait 'til I'm inspired.