Alma Cardigan

This colourwork cardigan features a scandinavian style colourwork pattern along the hem and sleeves.

It is worked from the bottom up in the round and is steeked at the end! 

It has a relaxed boxy fit, with raglan shaping and a v-neckline.

This pattern is named after my niece, Alma. I designed this colourwork motif for her. 

Design notes

This cardigan is knit in the round from the bottom up and steeked open along centre front line.

The body and sleeves are worked separately up to the underarm and then joined together to knit the yoke. The yoke has raglan shoulder shaping and V neck shaping to create the neckline.

The hem and cuffs are worked in corrugated rib, followed by a colourwork motif and then Stockinette st for the upper body and sleeves and yoke. After steeking, the buttonband is picked up along front edges and back of neck and worked flat in mosaic knitting with 2 colours. 

There are instructions for 2 different sleeve options:

Option 1 features the same Colourwork motif as in the body and a balloon shape.

Option 2 features a small colourwork detail and a slimmer tapered fit.

Sizing and fit

SIZES

1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10)

TO FIT 

71,5 (82, 88, 101,5) (111,5, 118,5, 129) (137, 146,5, 153,5) cm / 28,25 (32,25, 34,75, 39,5) (44, 46,75, 50,75) (54, 57,75, 60,5)" bust circumference with 10–20cm / 4–8" of positive ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Bust circumference:

86.5 (97, 103, 115.5) (126.5, 133.5, 144) (152, 161.5, 168.5) cm / 34 (38.25, 40.5, 45.5) (49.75, 52.5, 56.75) (59.75, 63.5, 66.25)".

Upper arm circumference:

33 (33, 35, 37) (42, 46, 49) 53.5, 55.5, 57.5) cm / 13 (13, 13.75, 14.5) (16.5, 18, 19.25) (21, 21.75, 22.75)".

Cuff circumference:

21.5 (21.5, 23.5, 23.5) (25.5, 25.5, 27.5) (27.5, 29.5, 29.5) cm / 8.5 (8.5, 9.25, 9.25) (10, 10, 10.75) (10.75, 11.5, 11.5)".

Yoke depth at centre back incl. ribbing:

20.5 (21.5, 23, 24.5) (25.5, 26.5, 27.5) (28.5, 29, 30) cm / 8 (8.5, 9, 9.75) (10, 10.5, 10.75) (11.25, 11.5, 11.75)".

Hem to underarm length:

31.5 (33, 33, 34)(34.5, 34.5, 34.5)(34.5, 35, 35) cm / 12.5(13, 13, 13.5)(13.5, 13.5, 13.5)(13.5, 13.75, 13.75)”.

Total Length:

52 (54.5, 56, 58.5) (60, 61, 62) (63, 64, 65) cm / 20.5 (21.5, 22, 23) (23.5, 24, 24.5) (24.75, 25.25, 25.25)".

Sleeve length from underarm: 45 cm / 17.75".

Yarn

8 ply / DK - light worsted weight wool yarn. Non superwash, woollen spun varieties work best with steeking.

AND steeking yarn: a small amount of 4 ply weight non superwash yarn for crocheting steek edges. 

Sample is knit with Louie & Lola Yarns Merino Possum DK (80% merino, 20% possum fur, 248m / 271yds – 100g) in colours Chai (MC), Sage (CC1), Mint Dark (CC2) and Mint Light (CC3) and Rauma Finullgarn (100% wool, 175m / 191yds – 50g) as steeking yarn.

Main colour (MC):

730 (805, 875, 980) (1105, 1200, 1290) (1395, 1480, 1560) m / 800 (880, 955, 1070) (1210, 1315, 1410) (1525, 1620, 1705) yds.

Contrast colours

Darkest shade (CC1):

115 (120, 130, 140) (150, 155, 165)(170, 180, 185) m / 125 (130, 140, 155) (165, 170, 180) (185, 195, 200) yds.

Medium shade (CC2) and Lightest shade (CC3) each:

60 (60, 65, 70) (80, 80, 85) (90, 95, 100) m / / 65 (65, 70, 75) (90, 90, 95) (100, 105, 110) yds.

Needles

3.5mm / US5, 120cm / 47” circular needle. Used for CO and BO edges.

4mm / US6, 40–150cm / 16–59" circular needles AND needles suitable for knitting small circumferences in the round. Used for stockinette st.

4.5mm / US7, 80–150cm / 32–59" circular needles, (choose a length suitable to your size) AND needles suitable for knitting small circumferences in the round.

Notions

Stitch markers, tapestry needle, 3.5mm crochet hook, waste yarn, stitch holders (optional), scissors.

4 Buttons, about 20mm / 0.75" in diameter.

Gauge

Measured from blocked and relaxed fabric:

Colourwork: 19.5 sts and 20 rounds = 10cm / 4" with 4.5mm / US7 needle

Stockinette st: 19.5 sts and 27 rounds = 10cm / 4" with 4mm / US6 needle

Corrugated ribbing: 21 sts and 22 rounds = 10cm / 4" with 4mm / US6 needle

Techniques

• Italian Tubular CO
• Corrugated ribbing
• Stranded coulourwork knitting
• Steeking
• Basic increases and decreases
• Mosaic knitting
• Tubular BO and grafting with kitchener stitch

Skill level

Intermediate