I knitted my first Kate Davies Carbeth cardigan on a trip around Tasmania and this one on my trip to the UK. I had intended wearing it on the holiday but I ran out of wool, which was slightly annoying. The cardigan is quite cropped and I wanted mine a bit longer as I don’t enjoy having cold kidneys, so I calculated how much wool I had and added a couple of inches. Except I miscalculated and needed another skein. I originally bought the wool on my birthday holiday to Hobart, Tasmania, so I duly ordered another skein, checking the colour and dye lot. It didn’t arrive until I got home and I did get quite a surprise.

The original wool is on the right and the new skein is on the left. I checked the labels and they are identical in every way, so these two were probably produced at different stages in the dyeing process.

Instead of sending it back, I decided to knit it in. I frogged the front bands and collar and reknitted them alternating the two yarns.

I can see the two different balls, but I don’t think anyone else could, unless they knew.

The wool is by Great Southern Yarn in New South Wales. It’s Corriedale, 100% Australia, single origin, produced ethically and sustainably, and the colour is called Stormy Sea Wave, which I rather love.

I found the perfect buttons, which I bought from an op shop several years ago for $1. They are wooden and the paint has a lovely worn patina. One of the buttons had a chip, so I painted over it with a red sharpie. It hides the bright wood really well.

I did wonder if the buttons are a bit big, but as I’ve worn the cardigan, I’ve really enjoyed them. You can perhaps see the different yarn on the front.

I have managed to wear it twice before our weather heats up. I did all the buttons up for the photos, for some reason, but tend to wear them undone. However, the high neck did come in handy in a cool breeze.

I love the detail in the back view, even though I now realise I didn’t have the cardigan on straight. It is perfectly even if I sort myself out.

I’ve enjoyed finding things to wear with it. It goes really well with the brown ponte trousers I took to the UK, fabric courtesy of Jenny from @joeandroxy. It also looks quite good with blue jeans, and I think will go well with my black jeans too. it also coordinates well with a selection of my merino tops, particularly the burgundy and orange ones.

Finally, a photo of Miss G. She found one of my lipsticks, but luckily couldn’t get the lid off. I’m wearing a top I made several years ago from a wool scarf and some red trousers made this year.