There are certain projects that hold a special place in my heart. One of my favorites is the Auchnaha cardigan designed by Kate Davies.
This cardigan holds countless memories from the August when I began knitting it. From sunny afternoons under the umbrella at the beach to hikes to the Alpine huts, each stitch is intertwined with precious moments. This project has been a constant companion, capturing many fond and sweet memories along the way. This is where the true value of our handmade garments resides.
I made this garment using 100% wool I bought on sale before one of the last charming and historic yarn shops in Venice closed. This detail is also entangled into the threads of this piece.
Cardigans, in general, are incredibly versatile and serve as a great solution to combat menopause-related issues. They can easily be taken off during a hot flush and put back on when feeling cold. This realization led me to start creating a countless number of cardigans when I turned 50.
The Auchnaha cardigan features a fascinating construction method. It is knitted from the bottom up in one piece. When you reach the sleeves’ armholes, leave the back stitches on hold and focus on the front sections. At the shoulders, incorporate a set number of short rows, leave the shoulder stitches on hold, continuing to work only the lace panels that will wrap around the neck. Following this, pick up the back stitches and connect all parts using three needles bind-off method. Et voilà, the cardigan is done!
The lace panel pattern is easy to understand and follow. It’s rather intuitive, but I did make some mistakes nonetheless. Fortunately, I was able to rectify them with the help of the lifelines I wisely incorporated.
My cardigan holds even greater value since my talented niece @nube.ph selected it for a photoshoot. The pictures she captured are truly stunning.
The intricate details of the cardigan come to life in the photographs, showcasing its rich texture and elegant design.
Retrobottega Venezia 