Greenie Berry and Bramble

[Fraugee728]

Here's a little something I whipped up from the Fall 2009 issue of IK.  I knit this open front cardi, the Berry and Bramble, in about 2 weeks with about 6 hanks of Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light (Could be 7).







Modifications:
-I intended to make somewhere between the 34" and 37 1/2" sizes.  My gauge was slightly larger than called for, so I made the 34", which turned out around 36" or 37".
-I decided the ribbing at the bottom would be too long, so I made it about 7" instead of what the pattern called for (I believe it was 10")
-Upon reading reviews on Ravelry about the sleeves of this pattern, I decided to make my sleeves about 2-3" smaller around than the pattern called for.  I'm glad I did this, and escaped having wings. 
-I added another half inch to the ribbing for the collar.

The one thing I would do differently is cast off the collar looser (and I could still go back and do this).  It curls a bit because it was cast off just a wee bit too tightly! 

I'm also not sure if I like how it looks on me - it's definitely a bit boxy, and it shows!  They say the camera adds 10 pounds, right?  On a possibly related note, I just started couch to 5k a couple of weeks ago - hope I stick with it. 

Thanks for takin' a gander. 

[BlairsBear]

1) Congrats on couch to 5k, I've actually started the exact same thing this year, who knew running wasn't torture?
2) Oh my god are those all popcorn stitches?  You clearly have the determination for a marathon if you were willing to knit all of those miserable things (miserable to knit, not to look at)
3) I think it looks very nice on you, and for this season I might throw a big belt over it to emphasize your wasitnline if you're concerned about boxiness.

[Fraugee728]

Thank you!    Yes, they are all popcorn...but they weren't too bad

I was just thinking a nice belt would really help this one.  There was an optional knitted belt, but I didn't think it would look that great.  I'm thinking maybe I'll try my hand at something like an obi belt.

p.s. I'm not convinced yet that running isn't torture...having some shin issues!  Congrats to you for doing couch to 5k as well!  How far are you into the program?