Plum Frost Pullover & Cardigan
Plum Frost Pullover & Cardigan
Knit seamlessly in the round from the bottom up, this simple, versatile, women’s pullover/cardigan pattern features a classic XOXO stranded pattern in the 6-color yoke, with stars occupying the lozenge positions. The main color (charcoal) fades out to nearly white within the stranded pattern while, at the same time, a light purple darkens toward the center of the band. Hourglass waist shaping and fitted sleeves outline a flattering style to most sizes and shapes. The bottom band, button bands, neckband, and sleeve cuffs are worked in K1, P1 rib and employ tubular cast-ons and bind-offs. The cardigan version is steeked open; however, it is essentially the same pattern as the pullover, measuring 1″ wider in the body only because of the button band. The pattern is designed to fit bust measurements from 33″ to 51″.
For those interested in the pattern, please take a look at the pattern specifications and schematic before purchasing. The pullover version requires no steeking and would be a good introduction to stranded knitting. Please be advised that the cardigan version is steeked and will require, in cases of yarn substitution, a feltable wool that is not machine washable.
Note: there appears to be some disagreement about Harrisville New England Shetland yardage, which I suspect comes from the washed/unwashed (skeined/coned) offerings – some say 217 yds/skein, others 197 yds/skein. I made all of my calculations assuming 197 yds/skein to ensure that you will not run out of yarn.
The pattern is available as a Ravelry download for $6.50.
Difficulty
Intermediate (pullover), Advanced (cardigan)
Skills used
Tubular cast-on, knitting in the round, decreasing, increasing, reading and working through a color chart, tubular bind-off, grafting together stitches, crocheting a chain (cardigan only), steeking (cardigan only) picking up stitches (cardigan only), sewing on buttons (cardigan only).
Sizes
To fit bust: 33 (36, 38, 43, 47, 51)”
Model shown in size 36 with a shortened back waist.
Finished measurements
Bust (pullover): 32.75 (35.75, 37.75, 42.75, 46.75, 50.75)”
Bust (cardigan): 33.75 (37, 39, 43.75, 47.75, 51.75)”
Back length: 20.75 (21.5, 22.25, 23, 23.75, 24.25)”
Gauge
24 stitches and 32 rows = 4″ in stockinette stitch on US 4 (3.5 mm) needles
24 stitches and 32 rows = 4″ in stranded stitch pattern on US 6 (4 mm) needles
Yarn
Harrisville Designs New England Shetland [100% wool; 197 yd (180 m); 50 g skein]; color: #49 Charcoal, 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins; #19 Blackberry, #20 Purple Haze, #72 Lilac, #47 Suede, #45 Pearl, 1 skein each.
Needles
US 2.5 (3 mm) circular needle, 29″ or 32″ long
1 set of US 2.5 (3 mm) DPNs
US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle, 29″ or 32″ long
1 set of US 4 (3.5 mm) DPNs
US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 29″ or 32″ long
US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 16″ long
Size B (2.25 mm) crochet hook (cardigan only)
Notions
Stitch markers – two different colors (blue and orange used for illustration purposes)
Stitch holders
Scrap yarn – the scrap yarn used for the cardigan’s crochet chains must be feltable wool (i.e. not superwash)
Tapestry needle
7 3/4″ buttons
Schematic
Initially, I marked the central block of steek stitches for the cardigan version with stitch markers. Before crocheting chains on either side of the steek, I used some waste yarn to more clearly outline the boundaries of the steek block. Stitches for the button and buttonhole bands are picked up from beneath the marked column of stitches.
The steek block is 7 stitches wide, with the cut made down stitch #4. Here, I crocheted chains down the central block of stitches to secure either side of the cut.
Eeeeek! Cutting!
Stitches for the button bands are picked up 0.5″ from the cut edge and the bands are worked in K1, P1 rib.
The tubular bind-off is fiddly, but it makes for such a beautifully polished and stretchy edge.
A finished garment!
More photos can be found here.