Cloisonné Cardigan

Using a simple slip-stitched pattern, inlayed ombré yarn winks out from between garter stitch borders to create a decorative circular yoke. This seamless cardigan is a showcase for a precious skein of ombré or a gradient set. The gradient mimics enamel cloisonné in the decorative yoke of this charming cardigan.

Beginning with a provisional cast on, the cardigan is worked top down in one piece. The sleeves and body are divided with extra stitches cast on for the underarm. The body has slight waist shaping to refine the silhouette. Sleeves are worked in the round, down to the cuff. Short rows, used to raise the back neck, are worked from the provisional cast on, then the neck edging is completed.

This knitting pattern includes written directions, charts and written charted instructions, front and back images, and a schematic with measurements.

Finished Bust Measurement
36 ¼ (40, 44 ¼, 48)“ / 92 (101.5, 112.5, 122) cm

Yarn

• 11 (13, 14, 16) balls Freia Fine Handpaint Semi- Solid, Worsted; 85 yd per 50 g; 100% wool; in Charcoal (MC)
• 1 ball Freia Fine Handpaint Ombré, Worsted; 127 yd per 75g; 100% wool; in Sulphur Springs (CC)
• 855 (940, 1060, 1175) yd / 785 (860, 970, 1075) m (MC)
• 65 (65, 70, 75) yd / 60 (60, 65, 65) m (CC)

Needles & Notions
4 & 5mm (US 6 & 8) circular needles, at least 32" (80 cm) long; 4 & 5mm (US 6 & 8) needles for working sleeves in the round: one long or two short circular needles or double pointed needles; 5mm (US H-8) crochet hook (for provisional cast on); stitch markers; stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle; 9 x ¾" (19 mm) buttons

Substitution Notes
The contrasting colour in the yoke can be an ombre yarn, remnants from previous projects (solids or tonals) or a set of mini skeins. You could even hold two or three strands of fingering weight yarn together for those pops of colour. The original ombre yarn is a slow change of colour so I picked and chose which sections of the skein to use for each of the sets of tuck stitch motifs.

For the main colour, the specified yarn is a single ply wool. Really, any smooth single or multi-plied yarn would do the trick. Swatching is your friend when you’re substituting!

Gauge

• 15 sts and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, after blocking
• 16 sts and 31.5 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Cloisonné stitch pattern, after blocking

Techniques
Knitting in the round, increases/decreases, short rows, working simple tuck stitches from chart or written instructions, basic circular yoke sweater construction, one piece, top down, worked flat, seamless, phoney seams, buttonholes and sewing on buttons.

Helpful Links
Raised Increases video tutorial
Raised Increases photo tutorial
SSK & SSP Decreases video tutorial
Japanese Short Rows video tutorial