NEW! Calusa Cardigan Knitting Pattern Download
I'm so excited to be releasing a pattern using my new yarn, Coquina DK. The combination of Merino and Cotton has many wonderful qualtities and is perfect for this lightweight sweater. The addition of the lacy flowers not only enhances the fabric, it creates beautiful lines within the design. There is added ease in the Shoulders and Sleeves to allow for layering in cooler months. I chose the Collar shape as a nod to the sophisticated, vintage styles I admire so much.
This design utilizes basic sweater techniques: picking-up sts and invisible horizontal seam.
Finished Measurements
At Bust: 34 (39, 44, 49, 54)” ; 86.5 (99, 112, 124.5, 137)cm
Suggested Fit: 2-4” positive ease. Shown in size 39” with 3” positive ease
Yarn
Coquina DK by KittyBea Knitting®
50/50 Superwash Merino/Cotton: 231yds (212m)/100g
4 (5, 5, 6, 6) skeins, shown in colorway, Signature Spring
Gauge
21.5 sts and 29 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Stk st on US 5 (3.75mm) or US 6 (4mm), after wet-blocking.
19.5 sts and 29 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Lacy Flowers Stitch on US 5 (3.75mm) or US 6 (4mm), after wet-blocking.
Needles
- 32” or longer circular needles in size US 5 (3.75mm) or US 6 (4mm), or size needed for gauge.
- US 5 (3.75mm) or US 6 (4mm), or size needed for gauge, suitable for working small circ. in the round, for Sleeves.
- US 4 (3.5mm) or US 5 (3.75mm), or one size smaller than size used for gauge, suitable for working small circ. in the round, for
Sleeve Trim.
- 40” or longer circular needles in size US 4 (3.75mm) or US 5 (4mm), or one size smaller than size used for gauge,
for Collar and Shoulders.
Notions
- 6 Stitch markers, plus 2 lockable markers
- Waste yarn or stitch holder(s)
- Tapestry needle
Notes:
Take the time to knit a swatch and wet-block it! It is not meant to be a dense fabric. This cardigan is knit flat, bottom up, with the first trim worked with the Body and the Collar/Trim picked up last. After separating Front and Back pieces, the Front edges are shaped, short rows at the Shoulders are worked, and then the pieces are seamed at the Shoulder. While I do use three-
needle for many designs, I chose to specify invisible horizontal seam here. I wanted to ensure the Garter Shoulder sections were very stable. This Cardigan uses Lacy Flowers Stitch along the Bottom and in Columns along the Front and Back, which is explained later. The Garter and lace pattern on the bottom adds hip ease without increasing or decreasing on the Body. If you want to add length to the Body, you can add it after the Bottom section of the Lacy Flowers St. The Sleeves, as written, are
full-length to bracelet-length for most people.
Read more about my transition to knitwear design HERE.