Knitting

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Knit a Super Cozy Boxy Cardigan

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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]

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Comments

  1. Is the black-n-white sweater the same as the one Troy’s mother made for him, the one he’s worn on Jeopardy ™ a few times?

Have you read?

Knit a Garter Stitch Blanket with a Twist

When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]