Let me introduce you to Irina, the knitting-princess on Ravelry and Instagram, who has test knitted this stunning version of my Leylak design. Irina is indeed a knitting princess as she does “… a lot of charity projects, and some for gifts. I also really like doing test and samples, because it makes me feel like I’m more a part of the process of a pattern”, as she writes on her profile page on Ravelry. To make sure you remember her name, Irina is wearing a crown in her finished project photos. She test knitted size XS for me and used the soft Schurwollkammgarn by Seehawer & Siebert in a divine royal blue colour. The yarn is thicker than the sample yarn I used so Irina used much smaller needles to achieve gauge (22 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square); 2.25 mm/US 1, 3.25 mm/US3 and 3.5 mm/US 4 instead of 4 mm/US 6 and 4.5 mm/US 7.

If you wonder how long it took her to make it, I can reveal that it took her “…57 hours and 40 minutes to knit including weaving in ends and sewing pieces together.” That is an impressive speed! I did not track my hours, but I can tell you that I used a lot longer making the sample with bigger needles.

I love these playful photos, which were taken on a playground close to her previous home in Germany, by a friend. Irina moved to Georgia in the US, recently. It shows the sidewing construction of the cardigan so well! In the notes part of the pattern you will find this information: The asymmetric lower body has extra width in each side – sidewing – that is bound off. Each front has 3 cm/1.25” extra width at center front that is bound off at the same time as the wing, then joined with the buttonband at the end.

Irina, the knitting princess, writes that it fits perfectly and that she is super pleased with it! I am so honoured to hear it! Thank you so much, Irina!

The Leylak pattern, in sizes XS to 5XL, is available in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts. I look forward to showing you more stunning versions of my Leylak design!