Iris Cardigan

Test Knitting Deadline: 30th March 2025

Sizes: A (B, C, D, E) (F, G, H, I)

To fit bust sizes: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58, 62)” / 76 (86, 96, 106, 116) (127, 137, 147, 157) cm

Choosing your size and fit: The stated measurements are for your body; the cardigan is designed with between 5-7” / 10-15 cm of positive ease depending on the size. Full size details will be provided in the pattern. I select test knitters upon the persons bust size not the size they want to make, this ensures a good spread across sizes.

Yarn: Sample knitted in one strand of Knitting for Olive Merino (235m / 50g) and one strand of Knitting for Olive Soft Silk Mohair (210m / 25g). Any yarn that meets the gauge may be used.

Yardage:

Metres per strand: 1000 (1100, 1200, 1300, 1400) (1500, 1600, 1700, 1800) metres

For the 4ply/fingering weight: 200 (220, 240, 260, 280) (300, 320, 340, 360) grams 

For the mohair: 120 (130, 140, 150, 170) (180, 190, 200, 250) grams

Note: To knit a striped version about 20% of your yarn should be the counter colour. It might be worth getting a little extra total yarn just to make sure you can get all the stripes in. The yardage is for a cropped length, you will need more yarn if you plan to make a longer cardigan.

Sample information: 

Needles: 3.5 mm & 4 mm circular needles and/or DPNs. Needle sizes are recommended, choose a size needed to achieve gauge, the smaller needles should be 0.5 mm smaller than the larger needle.

Gauge: 22 stitches & 28 rows per 4” / 10 cm in stockinette on larger needles after blocking.

Note: As the cardigan is knitted both flat and, in the round, you may want to check both your flat and in the round gauge if you find that your tension changes a lot.

Notions: 7 buttons not wider than 11mm, 2 spare cables or waste yarn to hold the back and front stitches, at least 2 normal and 4 clip on stitch markers.

Construction & Modification: The cardigan is knitted top down, first the top of the back panel is knitted and shaped with short rows. Stitches are then picked up at the shoulders to create the neck before the front and back panels are joined. Stitches are picked up for the sleeves and the sleeves are worked in the round with tapering. Finally, the neckline ribbing, and button bands are added.

Difficulty: Confident beginner/Intermediate. The cardigan itself is not too challenging, although it does use German short rows and there are stitches to pick up. The double knitted button band is a little more tricky, however there are tutorial videos for this.

Techniques: Picking up stitches, german short rows, double knitting, folded hem, italian bind off, underarm seams.

Deadline: 30th March 2025

Apply here!