Sommarkoftan 2023: MATERIALS (English)

Posted: 01 June, 2023

Writer: Maja Karlsson

Category:

KAL - Knit-along

It is finally time for our annual summer KAL and we present Summer Cardigan 2023! Continuing our tradition, this summer’s cardigan was designed by Maja Karlsson who will help you through the knitting with blog posts to explain the various steps. In this post, you’ll find all the information you need to participate in the summer Knit-along. A very warm welcome!

TECHNIQUES INCLUDED

Two-color stranded knitting

Lace rows

Knitting in the round from the bottom up

Steek

This KAL is perfect for anyone who wants to knit a seamless cardigan, from the bottom up.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

– Read through the information about sizing and measure your chest to determine what size you should choose. Keep in mind that the measurements given in the pattern refer to the finished measurements of the garment!

– Knit a gauge swatch to insure that your gauge matches that given in the pattern. Gauge is especially important when you are making a large garment such as a cardigan. If your gauge is not correct, your cardigan will be smaller or larger than you expect.

YARN Järbo 2 tr Ull (2-Ply Wool) (100% wool, 328 yd/300 m / 100 g)

ALTERNATE YARN SUGGESTIONS

Alpacka Solo (100% alpaca, 183 yd/167 m / 50 g)

Elise (60% cotton, 40% acrylic, 183 yd/168 m / 50 g)

Junior (70% premium acrylic, 30% polyamide, 183 yd/168 m / 50 g)

Ístex Kambgarn (100% Merino wool, 163 yd/150 m / 50 g)

GAUGE Approx. 25 sts x 30 rnds in stockinette on U. S. 2.5 / 3 mm needles = 4 x 4 in / 10 x 10 cm. Adjust needle size to obtain correct gauge if necessary.

SIZES-WOMEN’S XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL)

GARMENT CHEST Approx. 34¼ (37¾, 41¼, 45¼, 49¼, 52¾, 56¼, 59¾) in / 87 (96, 105, 115, 125, 134, 143, 152) cm

GARMENT LENGTH Approx. 16½ (17, 17¾, 18¼, 19, 20, 21, 21¾) in / 42 (43, 45, 46, 48, 51, 53, 55) cm

GARMENT SLEEVE LENGTH Approx. 19 (19¼, 19¾, 19¾, 19¾, 21, 21, 21) in / 48 (49, 50, 50, 50, 53, 53, 53) cm

YARN AMOUNTS AND COLORS

Color 1: Approx. 300 (300, 300, 400, 450, 450, 500, 550) g (color 74103, Nostalgia)

Color 2: Approx. 70 (75, 80, 90, 100, 100, 100, 100) g (color 74127, Pink Pop)

NEEDLES U.S. size 2.5 / 3 mm: 32 in / 80 cm circular and set of 5 dpn

NOTIONS 5 stitch markers, smooth waste yarn or stitch holder, 11 buttons (⅜ in /10 mm); optional: ribbon for covering cut steek edges (approx. 1 yd/m)

CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHOSING YOUR SIZE

The measurements given in the pattern are measurements for the cardigan itself. You’ll need to consider how much ease you want. If you prefer a somewhat looser sweater, you should add 2-4 in / 5-10 cm to your chest measurement. If you want a closer-fitting garment, choose a pattern size chest measurement that matches your own, or a circumference slightly smaller than your actual measurement.

The sweater has a straight silhouette so you can begin with your chest measurement. The cardigan has the same circumference at the waist as at the chest. The sleeve and body lengths are easy to adjust because the cardigan is knitted from the top down! If you want a shorter or longer sweater, just adjust it as you work.

IF YOU WANT TO KNIT THE CARDIGAN IN ANOTHER YARN

It is fine to substitute another yarn for Järbo 2 tr ull. Just make sure that the gauge will be the same as that given in the pattern. Also consider that linen, cotton, and acrylic are less suitable for color pattern knitting than wool. Because these yarns are smoother, they do not hold the structure well, especially when cut open for a steek. It means that you have to be extra careful when you reinforce the stitches before you cut the steek open.

COLOR COMBINATIONS