I’m renaming my Royally Striped cardigan to my Technicolor Dreamcoat. I feel like it’s a fitting name, don’t you?
So this is a magical Stephen West sweater pattern. How he came up with this construction is beyond me. The finished object after blocking is just a little big (I made the large) but I love it because it’s like a cocoon and I’m just wrapped up in squishy colorful goodness. It was what I had hoped my Boothbay cardigan would be but unfortunately that one sat up on my butt in a horrid way. Fortunately for my BFF Jess it fits her perfectly so I’m not mad about giving it away. And now I have a proper replacement for it!
For this project I used four colors of Miss Babs Yowza I had in my stash and on the back panel I finally got to use my HiKoo Abracadabra yarn that changes color from white to purple. I bought this yarn maybe 2 or 3 years ago but couldn’t figure out what to make with it and as I was pulling this together I had the brilliant idea that it would be fun to add to the back panel.
Here’s the back on and then here’s a better look at the color change. Also remember this is the back panel I put on the wrong side and was easily able to fix it. You can’t even tell!
This was as much color change as I was able to get since my house is always in the shade. But you can see it is a little lavender. It gets darker but I didn’t have the time to wait it out or patience.
This was an extremely satisfying knit. Lots of garter stitch and the short rows but without wraps! And now I’m plotting making an orange, purple and pink version for my cousin in the size small with my stash. I could even see myself making it in a more neutral color palette in the medium to make it more of a wearable to work piece, but who am I kidding? I’m going to wear this bold version to work too. I love it. Now I wish it was cold again because this would be a great transitional weather piece. Now the pattern does say it can be worn on either side but I’m just a bit too short to wear it with the navy portion as the collar but that’s fine with me. I like it this way the most. since it highlights the fun stripes with the short rows.
And if you’re ever wondering what it’s like for me to photograph these things and why I’m always smiling it’s because I’m super distracted. Yesterday it was because of Jellybean and…
My insanely silly husband. But hey, they make life that much sweeter. Cher decided to just sit this one out and watch us from the sidelines. So yeah, this is a happy and colorful sweater that I have already wrapped myself up in while we binge watch TV. I have a feeling it will get a lot of use. Have any of you tried this pattern or another West Knits wild pattern?
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Yards of Happiness 
I’m amazed at how quickly you finished this! It’s lovely on you and the colours look great together. I have never made any of his designs, but this is really making me reconsider!
It took me about 2 1/2 weeks. I picked it up while waiting for an order of yarn to finish off another test knit. Add in a little vacation time knitting and how easy it was it just flew off my needles! Totally want to make another one.
That is a beautiful sweater!! It looks fantastic on you:) Don’t you wonder what it must be like inside his head. He comes up with the most innovative designs:)
YES!! How does he create this stuff?! As I was putting it together I kept thinking there is no way in the world I would’ve ever come up with this pattern. It’s genius!
I agree with the ‘name change’ . . . very appropriate, especially since at some point the coat CHANGES color! 😉 I LOVE IT, I can’t wait to see the deeper color change!
I have a feeling you and I will be standing outside in the fall at lunch time waiting to see the color change. LOL
wow dana, I mean just WOW! that sweater is just awesome!! I love the colors and it looks so great on you… am thinking of trying it.. would be out of my norm but you make it look so great and swound doable…. thanks
Hey I say pick a color palette that you like and make it your own. It’s such a fun and satisfying knit, I can’t wait to make another one!
So excited to see this FO! I’ve been wanting to make a West design for a while now, but wouldn’t have considered this one till I saw yours. Thinking about short-person style: is the collar put on last? Could another buttonhole be added up higher, to improve fit? The construction sounds like glorious fun.
Yes, the collar is the last part. And I made a single button hole but for this they actually suggest an i-cord, so you can place the button and attach the i-cord anywhere on the sweater. And I’m only 5ft 4 and I typically knit for a 40 bust but I totally could’ve gone down to the medium so it wouldn’t be as big. But I love big and cozy too.
It’s an amazing and such a unique design and with your colour choices it’s just brilliant! If I had something knitted with such “magic” yarn, I’d be out in it all the time watching the colours change too 😉
This may be one of my favorite knitted things EVAHHHH!!!!!! It’s fabulous!! Just looking at the pictures makes me happy! Bravo! A million times – BRAVO!!!!!
Hahahahaha I feel like they’re all your favorite BUT I will admit this one is pretty awesome.
You keep outdoing yourself!! 🙂