Like the colorful brilliance of light refracting from a prism, the patterning and color blocking of Polar Prism Cardigan promises to illuminate even the darkest days of deep winter.

This stranded cardigan is knit seamlessly from the top down and mostly knit in the round to minimize purled colorwork. The flattering wide scoop-neck is shaped before the sweater is joined in the round. The shoulders are worked seamlessly and top-down using the contiguous set-in-sleeve method developed by Susie Myers (SusieM on Ravelry). Shaping around the curve of the top shoulders, waist and hips creates a flattering silhouette. The sleeves are knit from the top down in the round after the body has been finished. The button bands and neckbands are picked up and finished afterwards. The pattern includes instructions for button bands and for the option of installing a zipper.

Both charts and written instructions are provided for the stranded prism pattern. No more than two colors are stranded per round. This design may be worked with three or more contrast colors or a gradient kit.

Please spend some time looking over the schematic to help you choose your size and decide on any modifications to the waist or hip shaping. The fabric will be a little thicker (and warmer!) due to the stranded patterns, so a little extra ease (size up) is recommended.

SIZES
XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL):
Finished Bust Circumference: 33 (36, 38 1/2, 42, 45, 48, 51)” / 84.5 ( 92, 97.5, 107, 114, 121.5, 129) cm

Shown in size XS on a 32” bust with 1” ease at full bust. Choose the size closest to your bust size; size up if you are in between sizes or prefer a less fitted silhouette.

GAUGE
22 sts and 28 rows = 4”/ 10cm in stockinette, and in stranded prism pattern on larger needles after blocking. To insure proper fit, please take time to check gauge in stockinette and in colorwork pattern.

YARN
sport or dk weight yarn that can be knit in stockinette and stranded stockinette at pattern gauge; samples knit in Black Trillium Fiber Studio Sublime DK (100% merino wool, 260 yds per 100g skein) and Rain City Knits Superwash DK

Main Color: Black Trillium “Silverlight”/ Rain City Knits “Navy” — 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4) skeins or actual yardage: 743 (750, 812, 872, 938, 1005, 1118) yds / 679 (686, 742, 797, 857, 918, 1022) m

Contrast Colors:

1. Black Trillium “lightening bug”/ Rain City Knits “hot pink” — 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skein or 126 ( 138, 149, 160, 172, 184, 205) yds / 115 (126, 136, 146, 157, 168, 187) m
2. Black Trillium “wormwood” / Rain City Knits “electric coral”— 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2) skeins or 200 ( 219, 237, 254, 273, 293, 326) yds / 182 (200, 216, 232, 250, 268, 298) m
3. Black Trillium “robin’s egg” / Rain City Knits “bright orange”) — 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skein or 157 (171, 186, 200, 215, 230, 256) yds / 144 (157, 170, 183, 196, 210, 234) m

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• US 5 / 3.75 mm circular knitting needle in 32”/ 80 cm length, or preferred length for knitting sweater body in the round*
• US 5 / 3.75mm needles in preferred style for knitting sleeves in the round*
• US 4 / 3.5mm needles in 32” / 80 cm length or preferred length for knitting sweater hem in the round
• US 4 / 3.5mm needles in preferred style for knitting sleeve hem in the round
• tapestry needle
• 6 stitch markers, 2 additional markers in contrasting color (B)
• 12 (13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 14) 5/8” /1.5 cm buttons OR optional: jacket (separating) zipper (20” - 22”) in Main Color or size to obtain gauge

SKILLS
knitting and purling
knitting in the round
knitting small circumference in the round
familiarity with top-down sweaters
reinforcing a steek
steeking
stranded knitting with two colors
increasing and decreasing in pattern
reading charts
picking up stitches

Technical editing by
Ashwini Jambhekar