What I Wear: Handknits that Stand the Test of Time (Asymmetrical Cardigan)

This is the fourth in an ongoing series where I revisit the handknits that I come back to again and again. These garments and accessories have become wardrobe staples, and I think it would be helpful to myself and others to dissect why these items are so great!

This is my most favorite sweater in the world...handknit or store bought. Ever since I finished it in 2008, it has been worn repeatedly every winter. It is perfect and wonderful and is the only sweater I've contemplated making again. The Asymmetrical Cardigan (Ravelry link) can be found in Norah Gaughan's Knitting Nature book, one of the best knitwear books of all time. This thing is a classic...if you're a knitter, you need to add it to your collection. I'm a huge fan of asymmetry in fashion, and this off-center cardigan just fits my style so well.

• Color: The Yarn is Malabrigo Worsted in "Lettuce". It's unique, it's vivid, and it shows the stitch pattern beautifully. Malabrigo does not do very many solids, but when they do, they knock it out of the ballpark.
• Drape: Worsted has a lot of body to it, yet is has a really soft hand. It holds the texture well and isn't too "floppy".
• Size/Ease: I made the 52", and it seems about right. I sometimes wear it like an outer layer, so it is nice to have the extra ease for layering. I added 2" of length to this sweater, and after washing and wearing, I think in the future I would add another 2" of length. I think this sweater would look better on me at bottom of the hip.

I have a serious love for all Malabrigo products (even if they are skeined by monkeys), and Worsted is in my top 3 favorite yarns (ummm, I think the other two are Malabrigo yarns as well!). There is a downside to this yarn though. Worsted is a single ply of merino. Merino is a delicate and short-stapled fiber. Short stapled fibers are more prone to pilling, so to prevent this you would generally spin it at a high ratio, and ply it with one or more plies. But since Worsted is a single, it not only has a tendency to pill, but also felt. And that is what has happened to the sweater. It's felting pretty badly under the arms from heat and abrasion, and there are pills all over. I do not share this to discourage you from knitting with Worsted though. Worsted is the softest, cosiest yarn ever, and is worth every pill and fuzz. I would have all my sweaters made out of Worsted. That's why God invented sweater shavers.