The Cardigan of the Summer...

Hyperbolic? Nah...

It's open-front, semi-striped, flattering, and in our gorgeous mercerized Egyptian cotton, Provence. Need I say more? It's the Tremont Cardigan from Talitha Kuomi (sounds like Tabitha, only with an "l").

Color is intimidating for me. I worry too much about what syncs with what, what colors flatter me, what translates well to a garment...

Anyway, this piece stuck in my craw the second I saw it. It's exactly what I love in a sweater--not constricting, versatile, and will stand up to a beating. But I was curious...with 73 colors of Provence in our catalog, what combos can we come up with? I asked Creative Director, Susan Mills. Color is her comfort zone. And she came through with some choices. So, naturally, I knit some swatches. 

By the way, these pictures come from the stunning Boston Harbor Islands. If you're local and you haven't been, please visit. It's a total game-changer for a city dweller.
  

Though this post is verging on long, I promised a tip and have yet to deliver. VERY IMPORTANT! This only works with a circular needle, and if you're knitting flat. DISCLAIMER! I have only used this technique with swatches, though I have heard it's worked with some success on garments. And, I was sold at "less ends to weave in". You can pretty much tell me anything after that.

Because this pattern is written to work stripes at uneven intervals, at times you'll find the yarn you need is at the opposite end of the needle. When working with a circular needle, simply slide the work to the other side and work in either knit or purl, whichever enables you to work with the color you need and completely ignore what you were supposed to do. Make sense? Here's an example.

Clockwise from top left, color D, color B, and color C. Not quite ready to knit a stripe with color B.

Ready to knit with a color on the other end? Just slide the needle over! 

In this case, we're about to start row 7, and are ready to start knitting with color B again. Unfortunately, we just finished a right side row with color D and should be working a wrong side row next. Oh well, we're using a circular needle, we can do whatever we want! Slide the work over to the other end of the needle and start knitting (working the "right side" again) with color B.

Working the "right side" twice in a a row

Does that make sense? It may leave a less-than-desirable edge if not done diligently, but no ends to weave in? Sign me up. Which color combo tickles your fancy?