Faroe Island Cardigans (Adult and Child) Knitting Pattern Download

Description

Everything about Faroese sweaters is designed for knitting and assembly efficiency. The sweater proportions are based on percentages of the sweater body circumference – the length is one-half the circumference; the sleeves taper from one-half to one-quarter; the neck and shoulders are each one-sixth. The body is worked in the round from the ribbing to the shoulders in a multiple of the number of stitches in the pattern repeat (in this case, six). The front opening, neckline, and armholes are cut open once the knitting is done. The adult’s sweater shown here was knitted in the Faroe Islands with lightweight and lanolin-rich Faroese yarn, which is not available in the United States; however, a comparable yarn from Nordic Fiber Arts can be substituted. The child’s sweater was designed and knitted in the United States with a DK-weight yarn from Nordic Fiber Arts.

Finished Size: Child Sweater 26 (28, 29, 31)” (66 [71, 73.5, 79] cm) chest circumference, buttoned. To fit size 2 (4T, 5, 6). Adult Sweater 42 ½ (45 ½, 48, 51 ½)” (108 [115.5, 122, 131] cm), buttoned. Child sweater shown measures 31″ (79 cm); adult sweater measures 45 ½” (115.5 cm).
Yarn: Child Sweater Rauma 3 ply Strikkegarn (100% wool, 115 yd [105 m]/50 g): #113 medium gray (MC), 3 (4, 5, 6) balls; #101 sheep’s white, 1 (2, 2, 3) balls; #110 darkest sheep’s brown, 1 ball. Contrasting waste yarn. Adult Sweater Rauma Vamsegarn (100% wool, 87 yd [80 m]/50 g): #V13 medium gray (MC), 11 (12, 13, 14) balls; #V01 sheep’s white, 4 (4, 5, 5) balls; #V36 black (or #V64 dark sheep’s brown), 2 (2, 2, 2) balls. Contrasting waste yarn.
Yarn weight: #4 – Medium
Gauge: Child Sweater: 24 sts and 24 rnds = 4″ (10 cm) with Strikkegarn worked in the round in color patt on larger needles; Adult Sweater: 21 sts and 21 rnds = 4″ (10 cm) with Vamsegarn worked in the round in color patt on larger needles.
Needles: Child Body and Sleeves Size 7 (4.5 mm): 24″ (60-cm) circular (cir) and set of 5 double-pointed (dpn). Child Ribbing Size 3 (3.25 mm): 24″ (60-cm) cir and set of 5 dpn. Adult Body and Sleeves Size 8 (5 mm): 24″ (60-cm) cir and set of 5 dpn. Adult Ribbing Size 4 (3.5 mm): 24″ (60-cm) cir and set of 5 dpn. Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions: Marker (m); tapestry needle; seven (for child) or nine (for adult) ½” (1.3-cm) buttons (shown are #7241900B from Halcyon Yarn); sewing thread for machine stay-stitching.
Originally Published: Interweave Knits, Winter 2000/2001