Peplum cardi

Another cardigan I can cross off this year's to-do list.  I had originally intended to knit this wool using a different pattern, which didn't have a peplum (but I wanted one so would have worked out how to add it), and then I came across this - I'm not sure how, lost in the mists of time!

My inspiration was a cardigan worn by Summer Strallen (as Nancy Morell) in the first series of Land Girls, but unfortunately I don't have a clear screenshot.

My version of the pattern has some changes - I converted it to a v-neck, which also meant changing the front to be knitted entirely in the rib pattern - I thought the shaped stocking stitch yoke might look a bit odd with a v neckline.  I also changed the button band - in the pattern it's knitted as part of the fronts and is stocking stitch which is folded back on itself.  I've done a picked-up band in the same 1 x 2 rib pattern as the upper body.  The sleeves in the pattern are stocking stitch with a folded cuff and are knitted flat, seamed and sewn in.  I kept them as stocking stitch but knitted them down from the armholes with short row sleeve caps and did ribbed cuffs.

The buttons are from stash - I've no idea where they came from.

The wool I used is Malabrigo Arroyo, which is a sport / light DK weight and lovely to knit with.  I more or less got the same stitch tension as the pattern, but my row tension was very different.  Fortunately the pattern is written as "work for x inches, then decrease, rather than work for x rows, then decrease" so the fact that my tension was off didn't matter.

I'm pleased with how this has turned out, and it's going to look good with jeans just as much as with dresses or skirts, so good and versatile.

And now I must start planning Christmas knitting...