POW: Chili Pepper Cardigan from knitscene Fall 2017
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: My favorite knitting patterns are those that incorporate a technique with which I’m very familiar that also include a technique or stitch I’ve never tried before. I love mindless knitting that I don’t have to think about—something I can work on while I’m spending time with people or watching a movie. But I also love continuing my knitting education, as there is always something else to learn. I’ll probably never learn everything about knitting, but if I can keep learning while enjoying the basics and meditativeness of knitting, that sounds pretty ideal to me.
The Chili Pepper Cardigan from knitscene Fall 2017 (designed by Bonnie Sennott) is one such type of project. It has a classic cardigan silhouette, and a lot of stockinette stitch, which covers the basics. The pizzazz is in the “lozenge” stitch pattern along the collar and cuffs, which resembles a garden of pebbles. It’s a pretty simple 8-row repeat that is written out clearly in the pattern’s Stitch Guide, but it adds so much visual interest to the cardigan. I can see applying this particular stitch pattern to lots of other projects, as well, like an allover textural sweater or shawl. It’s just such a nice little treat to knit along as per usual but then get to a part of the row where you do something a little different that brings you back to the present moment and makes you have to think about it.
All About the Short-Rows
This pattern also utilizes short-rows when shaping the sleeve caps, which is another engaging technique that is a good one to master. There are many different ways to do short-rows, so this is a good opportunity to find the method you like best (maybe practice on a swatch first, just in case you want to rip back and try multiple methods). In the end you’ll have professional-quality sleeve caps and a super wearable fall cardigan (pro tip: check out Karen Frisa’s article in this issue of knitscene to master gauge and swatching for the garment fit possible!).
Pattern Details
Difficulty Intermediate
Finished Size 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)” bust circumference with fronts meeting at center. Cardigan shown measures 36”; modeled with 4” of positive ease.
Yarn Valley Yarns Northfield (70% merino, 20% baby alpaca, 10% silk): #03 chestnut, 9 (10, 11, 13, 14, 15) skeins. Yarn distributed by WEBS.
Needles Size 5 (3.75 mm): 32” circular and set of double-pointed. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Markers; stitch holders; tapestry needle.
Gauge 20 sts and 27 rows = 4” in St st; 25 sts and 27 rows = 4” in Lozenge patt.
Notes The body of this cardigan is worked back and forth in one piece from the lower edge to the underarm, then the upper fronts and back are worked separately. Stitches for the sleeves are picked up around the armhole and the sleeves are worked in the round from the top down with short-rows to shape the sleeve cap.
What’s your favorite cardigan from knitscene Fall 2017?
—Hannah
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