Rusty Nail was one of my patterns that I designated to help a charity. For each copy sold in Nov and Dec of 2017, $1 went to Emily’s List. Thanks to you guys, I was able to give $300 to this wonderful organization that’s working hard to get progressive women into elected office all over the US.

Rusty Nail was a sweater I cast on last spring when I needed some soft, gorgeous yarn and lots of stockinette. It was the perfect thing to concentrate on while distracted - with an easy fit, some simple to memorize cables, and seamless construction.

The Cumbria Worsted was exactly what I needed -- soft and beautiful, with a soft heather and a lovely, round hand.

So was the cardigan. Rusty Nail is an open cardigan with A-line shaping, perfect for wearing over a loose tunic. Short rows add depth to the back and cable panels run up each front. 3/4 sleeves are worked separately and joined at yoke. The raglan seams have a a subtle saddle shoulder shaping at top, which makes for a lovely line along the collar and a nice fit.

The fun part comes at the end, where the cable panels are shaped down and then seamed to the sweater to meet at the center back. Rusty Nail is the kind of sweater I love - easy to knit, easy to wear, a little different, and just a tiny bit vintage-y feeling.

As always, notes are included in the pattern for various modifications including adjusting length or width, adding full length sleeves, knitting without short row shaping, and working collar without the back detail. Sweater is worked flat to yoke, while sleeves are knit in the round. Sweater body, yoke and sleeves are worked seamlessly, but collar does need to be seamed down. Cables are both charted and written. I added photos and instructions for the final seaming/finishing of the collar as well.

Yardage by Size

Sizes:
33.25(36.5,39.5,42.75,46.75)(50,53.25,57.25)”/ 84.5(92.5,100.5, 108.5,118.75)(127,135.5,145.5)cm.

Sizing based on sweater width around bust. For fit shown, choose the size that gives you 3- 4”/7.5-10cm of positive ease around bust.

Yarn Needed:
1000(1100, 1150, 1300, 1400)(1580, 1780, 1950) yds/ 920(1005, 1050, 1190, 1280)(1450,1630,1790)m needed.