April Showers by Dallas Ann Prentice

April Showers

Knitting
March 2018
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
22 stitches and 33 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette
US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 4 - 3.5 mm
1305 - 2610 yards (1193 - 2387 m)
XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
English
This pattern is available for free.

April Showers is an open-front cardigan full of swing and bounce. Inspired by Spring, the lower half mimics the underside of the season’s ubiquitous umbrella. The built in i-cord edge complements the rolled edge on the front and sleeves, contrasting with the raw edge of the almost scalloped hem.

As this design was starting to percolate in the back of my mind, I found a local artist online by the name of Jessica McGhee. Her vulnerability and genuine honesty as she shared her journey spoke to me on a deeply personal level. The words and images she shared encouraged me to continue to pursue my dreams as she sought out her own. When I discovered her new mural had a Spring-like quality to it, I knew exactly where April Shower’s pictures had to be taken. As we were wrapping up the photo shoot, Jessica herself showed up to put the finishing touches on the other end of the mural! It was lovely to have that moment of connection and to share a bit of my own experiences with her.

The cardigan begins in a traditional top-down raglan construction until you divide for the sleeves. At that point, the sweater is worked vertically from the left front around the body to the right front. This construction is flattered by variegated and tonal sock yarn --something almost every knitter has in their stash.

Sizes

Women’s XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X)
shown in size M with 0.5 inches/1 cm of ease at back bust width

Finished Measurements

Back Bust Width: 15.75 (17.5, 19.75, 21.5, 23.75, 25.75, 27.75] inches / 6263.5, 65, 66, 68.5, 70, 72.5) cm
Length: 24.5 (25, 25.5, 26, 27, 27.5, 28.5) inches / 62 (63.5, 65, 66, 68.5, 70, 72.5) cm

Skein Usage

MC: 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins
CC: 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2) skeins

Notions

-- stitch holders or waste yarn
-- smooth waste yarn for provisional cast-on
-- 18 (20, 22, 24, 24, 30, 32) removable stitch markers



Errata for all sizes

Last row of contrast band, prior to starting the lower body:

Next row RS: Sl 1, (k28 (31, 35, 38, 43, 48, 51), M1) 4 times, k to end. 144 (163, 182, 198, 220, 245, 260) sts.

Break CC.



Want More?

Join everyone on The Violet Pie’s Ravelry forum or head over to the website to listen to the podcast, Knitting Myself Together. While you’re there, consider signing up for the newsletter so you don’t miss out on any future releases or events!