James Bond Shawl Cardigan recreated in natural bay black alpaca
In James Bond x Alpaca, I started a long journey to create an alpaca version of the James Bond cardigan worn in Quantum of Solace. It was actually harder than I thought for a few reasons, the main one being that my black fiber had been spun into a light sportweight gauge and the deeply ribbed pattern of Bond’s cardy called for a heavier yarn. So I used a double strand of my alpaca yarn, thereby calling for revisions to my stitch technique to offset memory issues that would result from such a heavy sweater.
I ended up using a slip stitch rib to give a slightly more subtle rib pattern and enforcing the button placket and high stress seams with black grosgrain ribbon. These touches added a decorative touch while increasing the structure. I skipped the patch pockets to cut down on bottom weight (and my husband didn’t even notice the original sweater had them). Five black leather buttons were the final work done on the cardigan and my husband wore it last December when I (finally) completed it after a few restarts.
So what would a grateful husband say after receiving the result of months of slaving over a custom knit, custom designed 100% alpaca cardigan? I prepared to bask in the glow of abundant praise.
“I like it but it’s very hot and it left fuzzies on my shirt.”
Sigh.
