Corinne cardigan : Knitty Spring+Summer 2011

by Crystal Erb Junkins

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

SIZE
XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in size S)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 32.75[36, 39.25, 43.25, 48.75, 52, 56] inches
Length at center back: 18[18.5, 19.25, 20, 20.75, 21.75, 22.5] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Madelinetosh Tosh DK [100% superwash merino wool; 225yd/206m per 100g skein]; color: Molly Ringwald; 5[5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8] skeins

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 1-8 of Short 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

designername 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.

You can find her at her blog, Green Mittens.