My mother’s family comes from a small city outside Stuttgart, Germany called Wendlingen. One of the first Dukes of Württemberg was named Ulrich -- Ulrike is the feminine version of his name. What was once the duchy of Württemberg is now the state of Baden-Württemberg, and this is where the Black Forest, or Schwarzwald, is located.

(The color of Malabrigo used here is, coincidentally, called Black Forest).

This picot-bottomed, rib-sleeved cardigan with interesting i-cord details and more is flattering and easy to knit, with both long stretches of “TV knitting” for those difficult days and trickier bits for when you need a challenge. A new way to calm your nerves for crochet steeking is shown, too!

Initial shot modeled by Ravelry-ite senjiva (I just had to put her in it, her hair was so Teutonic that day)!