When I received the yarns for this sweater project, the colors and weights of the handspun yarn were a bit of a surprise. The differences in weight, fiber, and color truly emulated picking from a variety of yarns in one’s handspun collection. I was also challenged to work with all five colors and to use them in equal amounts as I needed all the yarn to make a garment. My thought was to utilize some kind of stripe design, but I really wanted a stripe that would blend the colors between the rows. I was looking for an Ikat effect for the knitted structure. I went through several of my knitting stitch books and spent some time swatching before I decided on the Slip Garter Stitch. This stitch was interesting, not difficult and fit the bill! The slip garter stitch has the flexibility to work with any number of colors, even knitted in a single color. Rotating between an even or odd number of colors will give a differing stripe effect.

The cardigan body is knit all in one piece to keep all the stripes easily matched up. This pattern is a drop shoulder, two button, relaxed fit cardigan. The body is knit in one piece with the sleeves knit separately, then sewn in.

Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5)(6, 7, 8, 9)

Finished measurements
Chest circumference: 32 (36.5, 41, 44.5, 49)(52.5, 57, 60.5, 65) inches / 81.5 (92.5, 104, 113, 124.5)(133.5, 145, 153.5, 165) cm

Hip circumference: 37 (40.5, 45, 48.5, 53)(56.5, 61, 64.5, 69) inches / 94 (103, 114.5, 123, 135)(143.5, 155, 164, 175.5) cm

Length from top of shoulder: 22.5 (23, 23, 23.5, 23.5)(24.25, 24.25, 24.75, 24.75) inches / 57 (58.5, 58.5, 59.5, 59.5)(61.5, 61.5, 63, 63) cm

This sweater is designed to have 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) of ease as preferred.

Materials
This pattern used five colors of handspun yarn in sport to DK weight, about 240 yardsper 4 oz of fiber (2 ply, fiber from Essential Fibers)

• Color A: Zombie; 100% Targhee, 325 yds
• Color B: Buried Alive and Ringing My Bell; 100% Rambouillet, 240 yds
• Color C: Brandied Cherry: Dark; 80% Merino/20% Black Tencel, 240 yds
• Color D: Red and grey tweed; 100% Targhee, 240 yds
• Color E: Fungus Amongus; 80% Targhee/10% silk/10% bamboo, 240 yds

US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needle, 32 inches (60 cm) or longer for ribbing
US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 32 inches (60 cm) or longer for body and sleeves
Notions: 2 buttons – 1 inch (2.5 cm), stitch markers, 2 stitch holders or scrap yarn

Total yardage used will depend on the actual yarn used, gauge, and any pattern modifications made.

Gauge
20 stitches and 38 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Garter Slip stitch pattern using larger needles