Finally!! Finished!!

The Elaine Striped Cardigan is done!

 And I am happy with it and like it on, which is surprising only because right about the time I started setting in the sleeves I really did not like this sweater and was ready to throw it into the "to be unravelled and redone" pile.  But I persevered and I am glad.

I tried it on last night and happily danced around the house a little bit before throwing it in the wash.  The various parts were in various states, some having been blocked, others not, and the sweater had served as a lovely sleeping blanket for the cats while I dithered and dallied and put off sewing in those sleeves.  Here it is on the blocking board.  It is supposed to be cold and gray with a promise of snow so I don't expect it to dry quickly.  Of course given the lack of snowfall in this area so far this winter, it may just turn out to be sunny and dry, yet again.

Slow to dry may be a good thing though as I have broken my #1 rule of "No More Orphans".  I have nothing to wear with this, or at least nothing that fits.  Oh I can wear it with jeans, but I don't really like it with jeans; the sweater already has so much color in it, and none of them are blues, grays or blacks, which I feel I could work into the denim theme.  For me, I like my contrast to be a little more coordinated.  The pants I was going to wear with this sweater when I started it are now too big.  I have a couple of things that I may be able to alter to fit, and I have fabric, so something will turn up soon.

 In the meantime, in the absence of modeled shots, here is a close-up of the lovely wooden buttons.  These were in my stash, obviously just waiting for this sweater.  The top button is a little small, and tends to roll around, but it works, and it is nice to actually be able to use something from the button collection on an actual garment.  I am always amazed at how I can have so many jars of buttons and nothing to go on a given project.