Knit a Super Cozy Boxy Cardigan

This is one of those designs that, while it can be knit in lots of different kinds of yarn, really benefits from choosing a yarn with similar characteristics, if not the one the designer used.

Check out our review of the Color Block Cardigan for babies as well.

The Boxy Raglan Cardigan by Joji Locatelli is a simple, roomy, top down raglan v-neck worked in wide stripes. The yarn she used is technically worsted weight but it’s so fuzzy it works just fine at a bulkier gauge. It was knit at 13 stitches per 4 inches/10 cm, or 3.25 stitches per inch/2.5 cm.

That makes this project a really fast knit, and the fluffy merino/silk blend adds a bit of luxury.

Of course if you don’t want to use that yarn, any worsted weight yarn with some fluff to it would work. Or maybe you can try a worsted weight yarn with a mohair yarn to amp up the fluffy factor. You could try working with a bulky weight yarn instead, but of course the sweater will have a different look.

The sweater has 10 size options, ranging from a bust circumference of 43.25 to 84.25 inches, or 108 to 203 cm. It’s designed to be worn with 12 to 16 inches, or 30 to 40 centimeters, of positive ease. The body is worked flat and the sleeves are worked in the round, giving them a slightly different gauge.

As written the sweater is short enough to tuck into your pants if you like that look, or you can make it longer if you like to amp up the cozy factor.

You can get the pattern on Ravelry.

Looking for more fun cardigan knitting patterns? Here’s a collection of easy cardigan knitting patterns I’ve collected, and even more cozy cardigan knitting patterns for you to enjoy. I feel like this may be the year of cardigans for me, so I’ll probably be sharing more cardigan knitting patterns in the future!

[Photo: Joji Locatelli]

Next Pattern:

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.

Next Pattern:

Comments

Have you read?

Leave a Reply