Kelly Spenhoff

Something’s going out the window, the sweater or the pattern! I had no choice. There was no way I could knit the sleeves according to the pattern. Knitting the body of this cardigan had already stretched my patience to its breaking point.

A couple months earlier, I’d been browsing Ravelry for shawl collar inspiration when I came across a cardigan I had to have. I usually prefer to make up my own patterns, but this thing was stunning. When I got an email a few days later that the pattern was on sale, I assumed the universe was reminding me about it.

Naturally.

I wound up and weighed every pink and green yarn I had and was ready to cast on. It didn’t occur to me that the convoluted technique could be anything other than straightforward and simple, like the pattern and video suggested. (Why didn’t the need for a video tip me off? That should have been a red flag.)

I managed to finish the body. Switching two colors every single row and tying them in knots was super annoying, but the fabric was gorgeous. I’d stop every couple inches just to stare at it. I pictured myself wearing this speckled sweater with a luxurious shawl collar constantly. I was going to live in it.

Then I got to the sleeves.

This wasn’t regular sleeve island. The wacky technique from the body doesn’t transfer, so instead we get an even more convoluted technique. Also with tons of knots. Except these ones are visible on the surface of the sweater. (I don’t care what the video says. I’ve been knitting over 20 years and my experience was vastly different than their claims.)

There was absolutely zero chance I was finishing this sweater if I stuck to the pattern.

So I decided to knit striped sleeves. At least I’d end up with a complete sweater. Unlike half of Reddit, who abandoned this project with passion. (Too bad I didn’t google it sooner.)

But I didn’t just knit striped sleeves. I knit each sleeve with completely different random stripes, so they don’t match each other.

A couple people suggested I try to make the stripes blend in with the body so the sleeves wouldn’t stand out. (Have you met me?! I do not blend in.) I worked way too hard holding onto my sanity during this project for the finished sweater not to reflect my personality.

When I finally finished it, I hated it.

Not how it looked. I personally hated it. Like it had done me wrong.

It took a few weeks before my hate softened and I could bring myself to wear it. I wish I’d made one size bigger in the shoulders, but overall it fits well enough to wear. People compliment it every time. Someone once asked if it was Free People, and since they buy a lot of Free People, I took that as a win.

Most people love the speckled look. Plenty notice the sleeves. Any sweater that doesn’t make me blend in is a success in my book.

Trusting myself is always the right decision. I know how much convoluted technique I can tolerate, and I know how much I love a truly unique piece. I’m so glad I finished this sweater my way.

Imagine if this gorgeous, sleeveless pain in the ass was stuffed in a bag in my closet forever.

Where’s the fun in that?