I love a pattern with a good back story. Maxine the Mini is inspired by the designer, Jimenez Joseph’s Mini Cooper car, whose name happens to be Maxine. You can see her in the background of this picture, because I knew you’d want to. Different shapes and features of the car inspired the designs of the colorwork on the sleeves and patch pockets of this cardigan.
The pattern is worked in superfine yarn from the top down. The body is worked in a solid color, as are part of the sleeves. That part of the sleeve is finished with ribbing so it looks like the colorwork part of the sleeve is another shirt layered under the first. So cute.
The colorwork is also found on the patch pockets, which visually breaks up all that solid color stockinette. It’s also a great way to practice doing colorwork both flat and in the round.
The pattern has seven sizes ranging in chest measurement from 30 inches to 54 inches. It’s a crew neck design with set in sleeves and a button band with kind of a lot of buttons.
This is one of those sweaters that you can wear even when it’s warmer out because it uses such light weight yarn. In all you will need five or six colors (the main body color can be used in the colorwork portion to make it a little more harmonious, or go wild and use all different colors).
You can get this pattern from Ravelry.
It has admittedly been a long time since I’ve collected patterns for warm weather cardigans, but if you’re looking for more, check out this roundup of cardigans to knit for summer from a few years ago. Maybe I’ll update it this summer!
Looking for more knitting patterns for knitted cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.
[Photo: Jimenez Joseph.]
