Posted on 12 Comments

Let’s knit a cardigan!

Winter 3/31: Evening

Do you remember last year when we crocheted a hexagon blanket together? Well, I’m in the mood to do something like that again.

January and February are the perfect months to work on an ambitious project, I think. It helps take one’s mind off of winter (and its tendency to drag on and on and on and on…) Plus, playing with yarn is a fabulous way to stay cozy and warm during these cold months.

Everyday Cardigan complete!

Everyday Cardigan, from Polka Dot Cottage

I propose we knit cardigans together. As you may know, I have a new pattern in the works. (This post is illustrated with examples from the two versions I have knit so far.) You will be welcome to knit any top-down cardigan you like, but I’ll be tailoring my posts to the Everyday Cardigan.

While I won’t be teaching you to knit if you don’t already know how, I will be linking to relevant YouTube videos that show you the basic techniques, and I’ll share some in-progress shots of my own previous cardigans, as well as a new one I’ll be working on along with you.

Also, I plan to share a cap-sleeve vest modification as we go, so feel free to try that, if long sleeves are not your thing.

Knitting an Everyday Cardigan at Polka Dot Cottage

 

Rhinebeck weekend, at Polka Dot Cottage

I’ll be finishing up the PDF this week, and will have it available for you to buy before the first knit-along post goes up next Monday.

Interested?

The pattern will be available in the following chest sizes: 32 (34, 36, 40, 42, 44, 48)”

If you want to gather your supplies before Monday, you will need:

  • Cascade 220 (100% Peruvian Highland wool, 220yds/100g): 5 (5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, ) skeins. Feel free to substitute a similar yarn – I’ve successfully used Berroco Vintage, for example.
  • One set of 5 US #7 double point needles, one US #7 (4.5mm) 32″ or larger circular needle, and one US G (4mm) crochet hook. Change needle size if necessary to obtain gauge.
  • Notions: Five 3/4″ buttons, yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, 2 yards of waste yarn for holding stitches.

If you’d like to do some swatching before we begin (and I recommend that you do), you’re aiming for the following gauge: 20 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch with #7 circular needle.

Everyday Cardigan

If you’ve got any questions, feel free to ask in the comments!

Oh! and if you’d like to add the sweater to your Ravelry queue, you can do so here:
peveryday-cardigan-6ampt-flickr

Feel free to pass this along to a friend. It’s going to be fun 🙂

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Posted on 12 Comments

12 thoughts on “Let’s knit a cardigan!

  1. Hi, I have been crocheting for years now and have recently begun knitting too. What are the basic knitting skills needed to be able to make this sweater? Any insight is appreciated 🙂

    1. Long-tail cast-on
      Knit
      Purl
      Picking up stitches
      Basic bind-off

      I’ll include photos of most of these steps, as well as links to videos that should show you how to do them. So, if there’s something here you don’t know how to do, you *should* be able to learn it.

      Hope that helps and that you will join in!

      1. Thank you for the info! 🙂 This is very helpful.

  2. Fingers crossed, i’ll be finishing mine off this week! is it a regular bind off or the one with three needles?

    1. Just a regular bind-off.
      I hope you finish soon and that you love it!

  3. I have been knitting for several years but have never completed a sweater for myself. I really like your pattern and have yarn on hand that I can use. The Knitting Daily blog had a nice segment on taking your measurements yesterday, Jan. 20. Hopefully I will be able to choose the right size. Thanks, I’m looking forward to starting this project.

    1. You raise a good point about taking your measurements – I am making a mental note to mention measurements in my first post. Thanks 🙂

      Glad to have you join in!

  4. added your cardigan to my queue. haven’t made a sweater in years. so i am getting ready to get started.

    1. Cool! It will be fun 🙂

  5. I just stumbled across your page. I am really excited about making a sweater with you. I’ve never tried because I was concerned I would run in to trouble and quit. I think having a teacher will be really great. Is this done via video?

    I’m concerned about being able to get yarn in time. Will I be able to catch up if I miss first lesson?

    1. It will be mostly written, but I do plan to link to relevant videos, if you need more guidance.
      There will be a new post each Monday, and it will always be there, so you can go at your own pace. I had planned to start tomorrow, but computer troubles have made that impossible. I’ll post the first installment next Monday, so there should be enough time to get yarn 🙂

  6. […] This has been the week of Getting Nothing Done. Between the holiday on Monday, the snow storm on Tuesday, the snow-related school closure on Wednesday, the errands I had to run on Thursday… well, very little has been done on that eBook I am eager to finish. […]

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