Keep it Classic with the Turtle Dove Cardigan

There’s just something about a basic cardigan that is cozy and classic. It’s great to wear as a top layer when there’s a bit of a chill in the air or to keep handy when it’s colder inside than you would like.

The Turtle Dove Cardigan by Melissa Clulow for Sonder Yarn Co. is said to be inspired by a pullover of the same name (though I can’t find it on the designer’s Ravelry page, so if you have any intel on the pullover version, do let me know and I’ll update). It uses two strands of mohair held together with a smooth wool fingering weight yarn, which gives the whole thing a DK weight.

But because the fuzziness of the mohair needs a little room to breathe, it’s knit on larger needles than you typically would use for a DK weight project, which means it will knit up faster than you expect, too.

It’s worked from the top down, mostly in stockinette stitch, with twisted rib at the collar, cuffs and bands. It does not have buttons but is meant to be worn open with 12-14 inches (30.5-35.5 cm) of positive ease. It has deep raglan shaping for ease of layering and extra comfort, and the collar can stand up flat or fold over a bit if you like that look.

The sleeves are not full length in the pattern as written but it would be easy to adjust that (as well as the full length of the sweater) if you want more coverage. You could also choose a size that provides you with less positive ease if you want a more tailored look.

The pattern is available in nine sizes, with a finished bust measurement ranging from 44.75 to 76.75 inches, or 112 to 192 cm.

The Turtle Dove Cardigan pattern was originally published in Laine magazine and you can now get the pattern free on Ravelry.

[Photo: Sonder Yarn Co.]

Free Pattern – Long Cable Knit Cardigan

Easy Cardigan Knitting Patterns

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Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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