Abstract Cardigan by Leigh Radford

Abstract Cardigan

Knitting
September 2005
yarn held together
Aran (8 wpi) ?
17 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette stitch (St st)
US 5 - 3.75 mm
US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm
US 8 - 5.0 mm
US 10½ - 6.5 mm
1668 - 2138 yards (1525 - 1955 m)
34 (38, 42)" chest
English
Errata available: leighradford.com

Pattern description from Alterknits: “I’ve long admired the work of abstract artists like Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Joan Miro, and Lee Kranser. In the past I have worked shapes from their artworks into projects (a rather literal interpretation), but for this cardigan, I decided to learn from them by actually knitting more abstractly. Breaking with tradition, I knitted each of the three main parts of the cardigan (fronts, back, and sleeves) in a different yarn at a different gauge. This makes the result unique and also makes the process of knitting especially interesting. No more boredom with the same yarn throughout.”

Finished Measurements: 34 (38, 42)“ chest

Yarn and Ribbon:

  • Back: Rowan Summer Tweed (70% silk, 30% cotton; 118 yards/50 grams): 3 (3, 4) balls main color (A), 1 (1, 1) skein contrast color (B). Shown in #520 hurricane (A), #534 delicious (B).
  • Fronts: Rowan Wool Cotton (50% Merino wool, 50% cotton; 123 yards/50 gram): 3 (3, 4) balls main color (C), 1 ball each in 3 contrast colors. Shown in #910 gypsy (C), #957 lavish (D), #903 misty (E), #941 clear (F).
  • Note: Kid Silk Haze (G) is also used on Front; sleeve yardage is sufficient for both sleeves and right Front.
  • Sleeves: Rowan Kid Silk Haze (70% super kid mohair, 30% silk; 229 yards/25 grams): 2 (2, 3) balls. Shown in #605 smoke (G). use 2 strands held together for Sleeves; 1 strand for right Front.
  • 6.75 yards of 3/8”-wide silk ribbon (18 pieces cut to 5.5”; 18 pieces cut to 8”), plus (optional) 3/4 yard additional ribbon for body.

Needles:

  • One set straight needles size US 5 (3.75 mm)
  • One set straight needles size US 6 (4 mm)
  • One set straight needles size US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • One set straight needles size US 8 (5 mm)
  • One set straight needles size US 10.5 (6.5 mm)
  • Change needles size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Yarn needle, stitch holders, stitch makers.

Gauges:
Back: 17 sts, 22 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch
Front: 23 sts, 28 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch
Sleeves: 15 sts, 20 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch using 2 strands of Kid Silk Haze held together.