Dreaming of Downton

Everyone I know was infuriated about how Downton Abbey ended last season. None of us have spoken about it since, really. Now, though, I'm starting to miss it. Starting to get anxious for the new season. I'm not sure if this will help or make it worse.

Sybil

Pattern: Effortless Cardigan by Hannah Fettig from Knitbot Essentials
Yarn: Madelinetosh Prairie in Antique Lace and Cloak
Needles: US 6
Project Page

I was so upset with last season that I put this sweater down in the middle of the show and KAL. It took until May for me to pick it back up and then only in spurts. When I finally buckled down to do the collar, it seemed endless! But I got through it and here it is in greater glory than I first imagined! I'm channeling Sybil now....strolling the streets of Dublin as a stylish, independent woman..... :)

I bought the yarn on our road trip last year at the infamous Churchmouse Yarns and Teas on Bainbridge Island in Washington. It was a really lovely treat. I made Druella Black in the Cloak and knew I wanted to do this sweater or one like it in the Antique Lace. I didn't realize I would have so much yarn leftover from the shawl and somehow got it into my head that I would like to colorblock the cardi. I have a lot of white cardis after all, so a little color could go a long way.

The color was the only modification I made. I did 4 inches of the Cloak, I think. I used intarsia (gasp!) to work the collar coloring. I've never properly learned intarsia, but this looks good and sort of how I think I once read intarsia looks. It was a tangled mess, but the end result is worth the suffering. Many complain that the cardi slips off the shoulders. I haven't had much trouble with that, but know there are solutions, like sewing a ribbon across the back neck or crocheting a chain there. A ribbed collar might also do the trick.

The yarn...oh! the yarn! It's really fabulous! Super soft and I think it'll wear really well. I knit Hannah's Breezy out of Malabrigo Lace and that thing felts and shrinks when I even think about wearing it, but the Prairie, a superwash single, isn't interested in sticking together at all. I've only hand-washed it. I think a spin in the washer might make it even more desirable. The washer certainly turned Narragansett into one of my all time favorites after being a so-so option. I know, the thought of machine-washing Madtosh is almost sacrilegious, but it's really part of the Madtosh magic!

Do you miss Downton too? Maybe you're waiting for another show to start back up? Game of Thrones? Walking Dead? Me too. :) Others? I'm a tv junkie. Hook me up!

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