New Zealand’s women were the first in the world to get the right to vote in 1893, and Kate Sheppard was the strong, determined leader of the women’s suffrage movement.

History is littered with incredible women who fought for change in turbulent times and many of them made their courageous stand for equality from within the confines of domesticity.

My Kate cardigan is an attempt to reflect some of those amazing women.

Kate is a top-down fingering-weight cardigan with set-in short-row sleeves and a strong, angular panel down each side of the front.

The rolled button band is knitted on at the end and is unexpected, going against the garter-stitch grain, and the 1x1 rib at the hem and cuffs is a nod to fashions from the mid 20th century, when women all over the world worked hard to ensure that later generations had choice and freedom.

The neat i-cord at the neck gives Kate an elegant finish.

Kate is a perfect knit for intermediate knitters and beginners looking for an adventure.

This pattern can also be found in issue 4 of Laine Magazine. (Shown in size M from the original sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) in the magazine)

New sizes have been added for the individual PDF available on Ravelry.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust circ (buttoned and closed): 31 34, 35.5, 37, 39, 41 {43, 44, 46, 48.5, 50.25} (52, 53.25, 55, 56.25)“/78 85.5, 90, 94, 99, 104 {109, 110, 117, 123, 125.5} (132, 133, 137.5, 141) cm

Length: 21 21.75, 22, 22.75, 23, 23.5 {23.5, 24, 24.25, 25, 25.5} (26, 26, 26.75, 27.25)“/ 54.5 55, 56.5, 58.5, 58.5, 60 {60.5, 60.5, 61.5, 63.5, 64} (66, 66, 67.5, 68.5) cm

To be worn with 0-2”/0-5 cm ease. Shown in bust circ. 37”/94 cm with 1”/2.5 cm ease.

GAUGE
26 sts and 38 rows = 10 cm/4” with US 2.5/ 3 mm needles, in stockinette stitch, flat and in the round, after wet blocking.

As with all Truly Myrtle designs, the pattern has been professionally tech edited and test knitted.

YARN
7 7, 8, 8, 9, 9 {10, 10, 11, 11, 12} (12, 13, 13, 14) balls of Zealana Kauri Fingering; 60% fine New Zealand Merino, 30% brushtail possum, 10% mulberry silk, (167yd/153m per 40g ball) in “Ashen”.

Or 1080 1120, 1200, 1280, 1360, 1440 {1520, 1600, 1680, 1780, 1860} (1960, 2040, 2120, 2200)yd/988 1024, 1097, 1170, 1243, 1316 {1390, 1463, 1536, 1627, 1701} (1792, 1865, 1939, 2012) m of light-fingering yarn.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 2/2.75 mm circular needle at least 24”/60 cm.
US 2.5/3 mm circular needle at least 24”/60 cm.
US 2/2.75 mm & US 2.5/3 mm needles for knitting small circumferences.

Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

4 stitch markers (2 removable), waste yarn, yarn needle. 10-13 3/8”/1 cm buttons.

SKILL LEVEL
2 balls (see: https://www.trulymyrtle.com/blog/all-the-balls)

As with all Truly Myrtle designs, the pattern has been professionally edited and test knitted.

ERRATA
Errata for Shape Left Neck Edge section as printed in Laine Magazine Issue 4 available at lainemagazine.com/errata/

The buttonhole row should read:
Buttonhole row (WS) (P to m, remove m, yo, p2tog) rep to last 1 st; p1.