Not at all neon.

Let's keep this sweater train rolling, shall we? Today's sweater was knit using the Neon pattern by Joji Locateli. And, in an act of defiance, I knit it using the least neon yarn I could find. Ha. Not really, I just wanted/needed a good grey cardigan. I wear more grey and black than all other colors combined. 

Shamefully, I started and finished this sweater during the spring then left it to languish in the aforementioned pile. While there are leaves clinging to the trees in these pictures, they have since fallen. We've even (briefly) had snow. And, this cardigan's days are numbered (until next year).  I used a 100% cotton yarn to knit it. It's a gorgeous strand with a tight twist a high shine factor. I have several more colorways of this yarn, all rescued from the dump, or at least that's what I imagine happens to the fabric and yarn not purchased at estate sales. Sad. 

Chicago winters are increasingly too brutal for cotton. Or lace. There is layering potential, over a wool dress, perhaps. I ended up with a bit more ease than I expected due to my inexperience with cotton yarn. I've become incredibly reliant on the 'memory' of wool. Cotton behaves differently and doesn't have the same recovery. On the up-side, it can take a restorative spin in the dryer without risk of felting. So, there's that. I'm definitely experiencing a learning curve while working with Cotton for adult garments. I plan to use it in rotation more regularly to fully enjoy year-round sweater wearing.  

I started knitting for the size 36 and increased to the stitch counts for the size 41 through the hip. This cardigan is knit from the top down using the contiguous method. The result is a much nicer fit through the shoulder and sleeve than a raglan or yoked top-down knit. At this stage in my sweater knitting endeavors, I really appreciate a pattern that tosses a new technique my way or gives me something extra to think about while I'm knitting. This is especially true when it comes to patterns I pay for. The Neon sweater definitely has some good design elements, and meets that requirement with the shoulder/sleeve construction. However, I'm not sure how I feel about the rolled neckline. I don't so much mind that it is an intentionally rolled edge, I just don't know how to wear it buttoned up. It's a really unfamiliar thing. Do I stack them at the overlap? Should they roll together? Burning questions. I'll likely not button the top button, ever, to avoid doing it wrong. That aside, I'm thrilled with my Neon, and I give the pattern two shining thumbs up. 

Do you knit with cotton? Do you have any pro-tips for me?