HAVANA CARDIGAN

It’s no secret that I love all types of patent knitting because of the
soft, stretchy texture the stitches create. And I’ve longed to make a colourful, oversized cardigan knitted with various knitting techniques. The result is the Havana Cardigan, named after the beautiful, vibrant capital city of Cuba – where knitted cardigans are rarely.

The cardigan is worked top-down, starting with the back, which is knitted back and forth in honeycomb brioche. Then sts for the fronts are picked up, one by one, and worked into the fronts, which both have increases for the V-neckline. Once all three parts have the same length, the cardigan is assembled and knitted back and forth till desired length and finished with a fine ‘ribbing’ pattern.

Sts for the sleeves are picked up along the armhole, and the sleeves are worked in the round till desired length and finished with the nice ribbing. Finally, the button bands are worked along the edges of the cardigan.

Due to the different techniques in this pattern, I only recommend it to experienced knitters. Or at least knitters who have skilled knitting friends ;-)

SIZES
The pattern comes in sizes XS to 4XL.

MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 138 (146) 154 (162) 170 (178) 186 (194) cm
Length (measured without the neckband, from middle of the back): 68 (68) 70 (70) 73 (73) 73 (75) cm
Sleeve length (measured from underarm): 37 (38) 39 (39) 39 (39) 39 (39) cm

The cardigan is designed with 30-40 cm positive ease. If you prefer a more tight-fitting model, choose one or two sizes smaller than your normal size.

Since this design is knitted top-down, you can make your cardigan bomber jacket short or knee-length long - or anything in between. Just make sure you choose some light-weigth yarn if choosing a larger and longer size.

MATERIALS
The cardigan is designed using either 3 strands (tea green) or 4 strands (coral) held together. You can of course use a single strand as long as the gauge is the same as in my versions.

I have used the following yarn combinations:
Tea green coloured version
Yarn A: 1300 (1400) 1400 (1500) 1600 (1800) 2000 (2400) metre kidmohair singles from Mohair by Canard in colour 1123 Tea green (350 m/50 g)
Yarn B: 1300 (1400) 1400 (1500) 1600 (1800) 2000 (2400) metre silkmohair from By Emra in colour Lime sorbet (420 m/50 g)
Yarn C: 1300 (1400) 1400 (1500) 1600 (1800) 2000 (2400) metre linen singles from By Emra in colour 22030 (366 m/100 g)

The 3 qualities are worked together throughout work.

Peach coloured version
Yarn A: 1300 (1400) 1400 (1500) 1600 (1800) 2000 (2400) metre kidmohair singles from Mohair by Canard in colour 1124 Sandstone (350 m/50 g)
Yarn B: 1300 (1400) 1400 (1500) 1600 (1800) 2000 (2400) metre silkmohair from By Emra in colour 1120 Peach (350 m/50 g)
Yarn C: 1300 (1400) 1400 (1500) 1600 (1800) 2000 (2400) metre silkmohair from By Emra in colour Spice Girl (420 m/50 g)
Yarn D: 1300 (1400) 1400 (1500) 1600 (1800) 2000 (2400) metre brushed lace from Mohair by Canard in 3024 Sandstone (210 m/25 g)

The 4 qualities are worked together throughout work.

Yarn alternatives
If, for one reason or another, you don’t wish to knit with 3 or 4 strands held together, there are other yarn alternatives available that can create a beautiful and lightweight effect. Just remember that the gauge should be the same as the one specified here in the pattern, and you should choose a yarn that isn’t too heavy.
Feel free to inquire at your local yarn store for good alternatives. For instance, you could try 2 strands of two-ply kid mohair from Mohair by Canard, Alva and Pernilla, or Peruvian and Tilia from Filcolana, or Snefnug and Månestråle from Camarose.

I hope you’ll enjoy knitting the #havanacardigan as much as
I’ve enjoyed designing it!
Happy knitting!
June