I married my husband Michael on March 21, 2003 - the first day
of Spring. It was one of the best days
of my life, but it was also a chilly spring day. A very chilly
day. Unfortunately, my wedding gown was sleeveless, and I cursed
the fact that I had not prepared ahead of time with some sort
of wrap or sweater to keep me warm before the ceremony.
My sister Corinne is getting married this May, and I wanted to
present her with a handmade gift that would be useful to her too.
A lightweight cardigan in a beautiful pale pink seems like a perfect
solution! The cardigan is knit all in one piece, from the left
side to the right, with almost no seaming (I love that!). The yoke
and body are shaped with uncomplicated short rows, and the garter
stitch throughout keeps the design simple but sophisticated. Perfect
for a wedding day, perfect for any spring day, perfect for my beautiful
sister! Long live the happy couple!
model: Corinne
Erb photos: Matt
Hales, Diane Bounds
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1
40-inch US #6/4mm circular needle
Notions Stitch
markers Stitch holders or spare circular needles, US #6/4mm or smaller, 24 inches
or longer Yarn needle Sewing needle and thread to match yarn 8
buttons, 0.875" in diameter Note: Buy buttons after sweater is complete to ensure correct size.
GAUGE
20 sts and 40 rows = 4" in
garter stitch
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Instructions for the Long-Tail Cast On can
be found here.
Instructions for the Cable Cast On can be found here.
Instructions for grafting garter stitch can be found here.
Information about blocking can be found here and
here.
DIRECTIONS
LEFT FRONT
Using long-tail method, CO 90[92, 96, 100, 104, 109,
113] sts. Do not join; piece is worked back and forth in rows.
Note: See schematic below for lower body
length of cardigan. To alter length, CO more or fewer sts. A
difference of 5 sts will change length by 1 inch. Add or subtract
difference in sts to number of sts worked before placing first
marker in Set-up Row.
Set-up Row [RS]: K55[56, 59, 62, 65, 69, 73], place marker,
k17[17, 17, 17, 17, 18, 18], place marker, k14[15, 16, 17, 18,
18, 18], place marker, k4.
K 7 rows.
Short Row Sequence: Row 1 [RS]: K to first marker, turn work. Rows 2, 4, 6 [WS]: K to end. Row 3 [RS]: K to second marker, turn
work. Row 5 [RS]: K to third marker, turn work. Rows 7-8: K all sts.
Work Rows 1-8ofShort Row Sequence a
total of 9[10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16] times, then work Rows 1-7
once more.
LEFT SLEEVE Next Row [WS]: K35[36, 39, 42, 45, 49, 53]; place
last 55[56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 60] sts on st holder or spare circular
needle.
Turn work. Using cable method, CO 40[43,
43, 45, 45, 48, 48] sts at beginning of next row. 75[79, 82,
87, 90, 97, 101] sts. Note: Sleeve length can be altered in
same way as body length. See schematic below for lengths as given.
Work Rows 1-8 of Short Row Sequence a total of 13[14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 19] times, then work Rows 1-7 once more.
BACK Next Row [WS]: K35[36, 39, 42, 45, 49, 53]; place last 40[43,
43, 45, 45, 48, 48] sts on st holder
or spare circular needle; k held 55[56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 60] sts
of lower body. 90[92, 96, 100, 104, 109, 113] sts.
Work Rows 1-8 of Short Row Sequence a total of 19[21, 23, 26,
29, 31, 34] times, then work Rows 1-7 once more.
RIGHT SLEEVE
Work as for left sleeve.
RIGHT FRONT Next Row [WS]: K35[36, 39, 42, 45, 49, 53]; place
last 40[43, 43, 45, 45, 48, 48] sts on
st holder or spare circular needle; k held
55[56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 60] sts of lower body. 90[92, 96, 100,
104, 109, 113] sts.
Work Rows 1-8 of Short Row Sequence a total of 10[11, 12, 13,
15, 16, 17] times.
K 3 rows.
Buttonhole Row [WS]: K4, yo, k2tog, *k7[7,
8, 8, 9, 9, 9], yo, 2tog; repeat from * twice more, k to end.
K 3 rows.
Loosely BO all sts.
FINISHING
With WS facing, pick up and k 1 st in each st along CO edge
of one sleeve. Graft to held sts of sleeve.
Work other sleeve seam in the same way.
Weave in ends and block to measurements shown.
Sew four buttons to left front edge, opposite
buttonholes. Sew two buttons to each sleeve as shown in photo.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Crystal feels uncomfortable when she’s not holding knitting
needles. But when she isn’t, she does find some enjoyment
in other activities, like cooking and eating
new foods with her husband, building lego
masterpieces with her two sons, daydreaming
about a Caribbean vacation, and playing
the piano.
