knitting by bicycle.

This summer I did a little test knitting for a couple of designers I adore. I’ve been waiting to show you, blog readers, my finished test knits until the patterns were released.

Here’s the first, fresh off the press. Laura Chau released her trio collection, Flora and Fauna, Bees Flowers and Leaves, this morning and one of the patterns is the long awaited Honeybee Cardigan.

When Jesh and I volunteered ourselves to test knit the Honeybee (I mean, how could I not volunteer! I’d been watching Laura’s progress on it and loving it!), we were under instructions to use a “robust” sock yarn. Both of us ended up using Malabrigo Sock, and Laura’s original Honeybee (the pink one in the pattern) uses Socks that Rock mediumweight. Hemming and hawing over colors, I chose Solis. Greens are always a success for me and this green, in particular, is incredible.

I bought the yarn from eat.sleep.knit. and have nothing but praise for their speed of shipping and all around pleasant experience in purchasing yarn online. Seriously. If you haven’t used them before, do. You won’t be disappointed. Anywhoo, I purchased 4 skeins to be on the safe side and also because I still wasn’t sure if I would knit elbow length or full length sleeves.

I’m not going to lie. I had some trouble figuring out the Honeybee stitch at first, but thankfully Jesh was able to help me out, since Laura was on vacation during that time. Once I had the stitch down, I was flying. The body knits up so quickly, since there isn’t waist shaping. Laura included a fabulous picture tutorial in the pattern to make sure you guys don’t have any problems with the Honeybees, so don’t worry about the lace seeming complicated looking. It is so simple, and you can read the lace in the pattern as you knit, so if you make any mistakes along the way, you’ll see them almost immediately for fixibility.

The cardigan also employs the most darling set-in sleeves, which were my first to ever try. I have to applaud Laura, again, on how simple her instructions are to execute and how prim and proper the sleeves fit onto the body.

All in all, this has to be topping the list of best things I’ve ever knit and I am so pleased that Laura let me test knit for her. She is a delight to work with and her designs just keep getting better and better. The cardigan is the perfect transitional weather piece, adding some warmth without feeling like you’re wearing a full cardigan. It knits up pretty fast and the results are stunning.

I’m pretty sure I’m making another one of these in the near future. I want a black one, just like Jesh’s!

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The details:

Pattern: Honeybee Cardigan by Laura Chau
check out Laura’s blog for all the accessibility and pricing info!
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in Solis (2.58 skeins used)
Needles: size 5 circulars, size 5 dpn (for sleeves) and size 3 for bottom hem (not part of the pattern instructions though)
Buttons are from Rosie’s Yarn Cellar in Philadelphia
ravelry project page