Well, after many months (basically since my last post) and a very busy wedding photography season, my Ivar cardigan is finally complete! This is another gorgeous pattern from Brooklyn Tweed (find it here!) and was knit using their Loft yarn in “Nest”. Luckily I was able to finish it before a quick trip to Japan, so these photos were taken in Fukui, my Japanese hometown and the place where I learned to knit and started this blog.

Long ago, my good friend/knitting sensei advised me that trying one new technique per project was a great way to build up my knitting skills, and I’ve definitely taken that advice to heart. For this project, the new skill was set-in sleeves, which didn’t come easily to me. Successfully accomplishing this part of the project, however, has given me the (not quite deserved?) confidence to try out out TWO new techniques and a new style of stitch on my next sweater! Wish me luck — you probably won’t hear anything from me until Christmas 2016.

I really love this cardigan, and, from now on, I only want to knit Brooklyn Tweed patterns with Brooklyn Tweed yarn. The yarn is beautiful and feels great (whilst knitting and wearing), and their patterns and thoughtfully written and easy to follow. I’m hooked!