Sylvia is one of 16 glorious designs in Stranded Knits, a superb technique manual and pattern collection that Ann created for Rowan Yarns. The book is available from Rowan stockists.

The design is based upon a Chippendale Trellis with the addition of stylistic floral motifs, which together with the empire line waist evoke the Georgian era of the novel, Sylvia’s Lovers. The novel was set in Monkhaven, a fictional fishing town modelled on Whitby, the Yorkshire town where the photos for Stranded Knits were shot.

The use of travelling colourwork as a design feature independent of shaping needs was inspired by the wonderful work of fellow designer Kieran Foley.

The cardigan is knitted from the bottom up to the underarms in rounds, with a steek for the front opening, and applied i-cord at the waist. After knitting the sleeves to the underarms, sleeves and body are joined into one round and the upper body is knitted in one piece with simultaneous set-in sleevecaps. The saddle shoulders are also integral, using a short row method devised to create a gentle shoulder slope whilst continuing knitting in the round.

The book contains illustrated tutorials for the steeking, applied i-cord, and one-row buttonhole techniques used in this pattern.

Tension/gauge given above is for the skirt pattern after blocking. Tension/gauge for the upper body and sleeves is 29 stitches and 36 rounds per 10cm/4” after blocking.

Errata:
On page 175 the first paragraph under the sub-heading ‘Front neck shaping’ should end ‘The Set-up Round begins before the steek sts at the centre front’.