the blue blog archives: cardi raye day

I spent an entire evening and part of the next morning sewing in that satin band. Not a simple task, let me tell you! For anyone planning to make this sweater, here's what I did. I folded the band over the edge to see exactly where it should be attached and then basted a line down that column of stitches. This was my guide for the actual sewing to insure that the band would look straight. Then I pinned the band in place along the basting to the inside of the sweater and sewed it on using a slipstich (see here for a photo of the slipstitch technique). After the inside was sewn down, I folded the other half of the band to the front and could sew it down the same way, but without having to pin it in place (so no pin holes on the front!). Then I could tack down the left over bits at the top and bottom and remove the basting thread. And here's the band in all her glory. (Update: You asked for it, you got it - a close up of the hook and eye band. Here's what the hooks look like while I'm wearing the sweater.)

posted by alison at 9:15 pm | in cardi raye

Comments

It looks GREAT on you! and you did a wonderful job sewing the tape in.

Posted by: monica at June 13, 2004 9:21 PM

As usual, it looks even more fabulous in person! Congratulations on getting it all done, and fabulously!

Posted by: Ingrid at June 13, 2004 9:33 PM

Totally amazing. I've admired this sweater from the start, but now that I can see it in action I really love it. Bravo, once again, Alison - it's beautiful!

Posted by: Julia at June 13, 2004 9:46 PM

You did a great job! Thank you for detailing the process to sew in the band.

Posted by: judy at June 13, 2004 9:49 PM

FAB!! I started my vera today and was disapointed that the 7/8 needles I had are to short.. soooo I ordered some clovers tonight online. But ya knot that mission falls is so thich I think I would have been better off with metal ones. I love my new addi turbos, I started the sophie and I was like wow these turbos rock I wish all knitting felt this easy/smooth. SO maybe ordering the clovers was stupid and I should get metal ones. I couldn't find Addi alumminum straight needles.. I wonder if they exsist.

Posted by: brandy at June 13, 2004 10:06 PM

The sweater is beautiful! I have all the yarn for mine (hopefully enough of all the colors!) and I'll probably try to get it done for next spring, when it won't have to cover a hugely pregnant belly. And thank you for the information on sewing in that hook and loop tape.

Posted by: Brynne at June 13, 2004 10:53 PM

That's a beautiful sweater. Nice job!

Posted by: Alexandra at June 14, 2004 12:22 AM

Wow that looks gorgeous! I'm sure it is well worth all of the effort that it took to make, it looks beautiful! Way to go Alison..

Posted by: kerrie at June 14, 2004 5:18 AM

It looks beautiful, Alison! Wow, that was a lot of finishing work. You did a great job (as usual).

Posted by: Melissa at June 14, 2004 5:42 AM

It looks wonderful - colours, fit, finishing, everything!

Posted by: Anita at June 14, 2004 5:51 AM

Wow ! Fab,fab,fab ! What a gorgeous cardi.Well worth all the effort & yarn shortage angst.You look stunning in those glowing colours.

Posted by: Emma at June 14, 2004 6:09 AM

How alluring! Oooh la la is right! It is a smashing success! Love the colors on you! Love the style !It is indeed the perfect Alison sweater!
NYC baby!

Posted by: sandy at June 14, 2004 7:03 AM

Beautiful! And you look so radiant and gorgeous in it :o) I love the colours and have been admiring this cardi for quite a while. Unfortunately, I don't have the skills to knit it so it will probably have to wait a few years *lol*

Posted by: lyn at June 14, 2004 7:36 AM

Definitely worth the wait!!

Posted by: Jan at June 14, 2004 7:59 AM

Your sweater turned out beautifully and looks great on you. It makes all the work and time spent worthwhile!

Posted by: janet at June 14, 2004 8:03 AM

Hi.. I am so very sorry to bother you with a question, but what did they call the hook tape that you used? My loval place looks at me like I am a nut case when I ask for such. I have been sewing for years and have not run into it around here. I admire how much you get done in the world of knitting since I know you have two little guys. I have 5 children and just cannot seem to find the time to get as much done as I would like. Thanks! Maddie in Chattanooga

Posted by: Maddie at June 14, 2004 8:15 AM

I love that little sweater! SO cheerful. But you know your little section that says "I sew too"? That ain't me. If I put my knitting anywhere near a sewing machine, I'd ruin it. But thankfully I do have some resources I could turn to for that, if need be, I suppose. But bravo on all your lovely FOs.

Posted by: Norma at June 14, 2004 8:35 AM

That's the best looking cardie I've seen in a while. Very, very worth the wait. How many exciting places will you be wearing it today? I take all my slinky new knits to the grocery store and the park.
Yeah for you!

Posted by: Stephanie at June 14, 2004 8:40 AM

Oh oh!! That cardi looks fabulous on you! I LOVE the satin band. I might have to try that on one of my cardis. Gorgeous, gorgeous.

Posted by: Karen at June 14, 2004 8:45 AM

What a great sweater! It looks very fab on you. Here's hoping you get weather where you are that will allow you to wear it an enjoy it!

Posted by: Theresa at June 14, 2004 9:01 AM

Fabulous cardigan, Alison! I've really enjoyed watching come together. You definitely have a lot more patience than I do. I'm always impressed with how much you complete as well as how well you do it.

Posted by: Larry at June 14, 2004 9:03 AM

Why are there so many songs about rainbows?

Love your oh so excellent cardi!

Posted by: Donna Boucher at June 14, 2004 9:12 AM

gorgeous, just gorgeous! beautiful work and the yarn looks like it's springy and wonderful to wear. i'm sure this will become one of your favorites.

and thanks for sharing all the pics and little bits of advice about how you got the satin band attached so nicely. it makes all the difference in how handknit garments look.

Posted by: jody at June 14, 2004 9:17 AM

Awhh! so happy for you that you were finally able to get it done! Great job and it looks great on you! Congrats

Posted by: Cindy at June 14, 2004 9:24 AM

Lordy that was a lot of work. Glad to see you are happy with it. The length and the wide neck work well on you. Congrats!

Posted by: Kerstin at June 14, 2004 9:48 AM

I'm fascinated by the hook and eye tape--it might be just the solution for a Rowan sweater I'm working on. Could you give us a close close close up on the closed sweater, so that I can see how much the hooks and eyes do or do not show? And I'm with whoever it was who asked for details on exactly how to order that tape.

Thanks! Oh, wait, I almost forgot: beautiful sweater!!

Annie

Posted by: Annie Driscoll at June 14, 2004 9:51 AM

Fantabulous!! You must be so pleased. It looks perfect on you. Oh and on another note, I finsihed my linen drape along project, yay!

Posted by: Amy at June 14, 2004 10:01 AM

Absolutely wonderful sweater. Maybe the nicest sweater I've seen in knitting blogland!

Posted by: Brenda at June 14, 2004 10:02 AM

It's beautiful! It exceeded my expectations, which were high!! And you look absolutely gorgeous in those colors! Great job, knitting goddess!

Posted by: carrie at June 14, 2004 10:06 AM

Absolutely gorgeous!!

Posted by: kim at June 14, 2004 10:15 AM

That sweater is *stunning*!!!! You did a fantastic job!!!

Posted by: Lynn at June 14, 2004 10:39 AM

*applauds!* Congratulamations!

Posted by: Sandy at June 14, 2004 11:03 AM

Wow! You look just lovely in your freshly-finished Cardi Raye. Great job -- love the satin hook & eye band.

Posted by: Amy at June 14, 2004 11:08 AM

33 people have said it already, but I'm going to add my voice to the crowd anyway. What a gorgeous sweater! It looks fabulous.

Posted by: Sarah at June 14, 2004 11:20 AM

Alison, WOW! That sweater looks awesome on you. Absolutely wonderful.

Posted by: Cathy at June 14, 2004 11:22 AM

Beautiful sweater! Wonderful job, as usual.

Posted by: Annie at June 14, 2004 11:32 AM

oh my, this is absolutely gorgeous!

Posted by: Angela at June 14, 2004 12:00 PM

Wow! Those colors look stunning on you! The cardi is wonderful.

Posted by: Marie at June 14, 2004 12:38 PM

It is fabulous! Looks like it was worth the wait. Congrats on finishing it.

Posted by: Phuong at June 14, 2004 2:23 PM

Yeay!!! Congrats, lady! I am so proud to see that you got it finished. It gives me strength that I could potentially finish mine as well. It looks awesome and I'm sure you love it all the more for all the problems you were had and overcame. Congratulations.

Posted by: Jenn at June 14, 2004 3:40 PM

you always amaze me with your finished projects-
gosh you knit to perfection!!!!! and everything seems to fit you perfectly. It looks great!!!!

Posted by: joy at June 14, 2004 3:46 PM

I'm going to cut right to the chase: you rock my knitting world, babe. I was too timid to attempt what you have accomplished. Brava!

Posted by: michelle at June 14, 2004 4:22 PM

"Oh la la" is right. Cardi raye is fab and you look soooo good in it! The colorway you chose is wonderful and you did an impeccable job of finishing. Bravisima! Wear it often, and wear it proudly.

P.S. And how cute is Alison in her adorable flippy bob????

Posted by: Becky at June 14, 2004 4:50 PM

WOW! Your stitches look so nice and neat! It's beautiful.

Posted by: LauraA at June 14, 2004 5:56 PM

I love it! Just love it. You did an amazing job. It fits you so perfectly, too.

Posted by: Jackie at June 14, 2004 6:18 PM

Fabulous!!!

Posted by: ms. amy at June 14, 2004 7:11 PM

Just gorgeous! Perfect in every way!

Posted by: froggy at June 14, 2004 8:22 PM

Very pretty!

Posted by: Silvia at June 14, 2004 8:59 PM

*GASP!* You *are* the knitting Goddess of the moment. *bows down* Very nice and very nice on you!

Posted by: Alysia at June 14, 2004 11:15 PM

Fantabulous! A beautiful outcome for all your hard work and patience.

Posted by: other alison at June 14, 2004 11:40 PM

WOW! WOW! WOOOOW!!!!

Posted by: Nicole at June 15, 2004 6:11 AM

I is a wonderful garment and part of its success is that the size is just right for you and you are just right for the cut of the sweater. Perfect choice, excellent execution. I've never seen hook and eye tape either.

Posted by: Pubah at June 15, 2004 7:43 AM

Beautiful! I like that this sweater is not too fitted like the one on the model. All of that waiting paid off. Didn't it?!

Posted by: sharlyn at June 15, 2004 9:37 AM

Totally great! Lovely. :-)

Posted by: Sarah Elizabeth at June 15, 2004 2:26 PM

Cardi Raye looks fabulous! I love it...you did a fabulous job.

Posted by: Kathleen at June 16, 2004 4:49 PM

stunning, simply stunning!

Posted by: elisabeth at June 17, 2004 12:30 PM

Thanks, everyone! You all are so supportive! This project was such a labor of love. I waited forever to start it, had to wait a long time in the middle for the yarn to finish it, and then the finishing took almost as much time as the knitting. But I loved every minute of it. And the sweater itself just makes me happy!

Posted by: alison at June 18, 2004 9:54 AM