Wednesday, January 31, 2024, Issue 332: Happy Wednesday!!

• Posted on 29 January 2024
• By Susan Wong-Tsang
• Posted in cozy knits, January 2024, knitting inspiration, sweater weather, winter knitting
• 0

It is the end of January and I want to see the end of this grey, dreary weather and to see some sunshine. Have you been staying indoors where it is warm and knitting.

Andrea Rangel says that being outside at all times of year is a must for her and finds herself grabbing those sweaters that are just a tiny bit slouchy, that fit easily over her button-up shirts, and offer that extra bit of coziness.

The Squish Cardigan by Andrea Rangel is your archetypal cabled cardigan designed for layering both on fancy cold-weather occasions and just for everyday chores. Wear it under overalls in the garden or over linen for a coffee date.

SIZES & FINISHED DIMENSIONS
Sizes: A(B, C, D, E) (F, G, H, I) (J, K, L, M)

Chest Circumference Including Overlapping Bands:

35(37.5, 39.25, 42.25, 44.75) (48.75, 51.5, 55, 57.5) (60.5, 64.5, 65.25, 68.5) in/ 89(95.5, 99.5, 107.5, 113.5) (124, 131, 139.5, 146) (153.5, 164, 165.5, 174) cm

Intended to be worn with +1-6 in/2.5-15 cm of positive ease.

Shown in size B with about 5 in/13 cm of positive ease (white) and in size E (brown) with about zero ease.

YARN
Worsted weight yarn:

1131(1214, 1309, 1617, 1697) (1833, 1940, 2129, 2227) (2368, 2564, 2689, 2800) yd/ 1034(1110, 1197, 1479, 1552) (1676, 1774, 1947, 2036) (2165, 2345, 2459, 2560) m

Suggested Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca or Cascade 220 Heathers and Solids

BLOCKED GAUGE
Gauge measurement should be taken after blocking.

28 stitches/26 rows = 4 in/10 cm in cable pattern with larger needle

One 40-stitch cable motif measures about 5.75 in/14.5 cm wide at widest point with larger needle

18 stitches/28 rows = 4 in/10 cm in Stockinette stitch with larger needle

20 stitches/37 rows = 4 in/10 cm in garter stitch with smaller needle

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Suggested size US 7/4.5 mm needles:

• Fronts and Sleeves: Your choice of circular or straight needles

• Back: 24 in/60 cm or longer circular needle

Suggested size US 6/4 mm needles:

• Shawl Collar, Button Band, and Buttonhole Band: 40 in/100 cm or longer circular needle

Milton by Joji Locatelli, inspired by her Elton design takes the classic stripes, alternating solid and see-through fabric but featuring a completely different construction and shape.

You can make Milton cardigan as long as you want. Since the fabric is featherweight and delicate, she made hers longer.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). Shown in size 3 on a 36” (90 cm) bust.
Recommended ease: 0-4” 0-10 cm of positive ease around the bust.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust circumference (with fronts closed, slightly overlapping): 30¾ (34¾, 38¾, 42¾, 46¾, 50¾, 54¾, 58¾, 62¾, 66¾)“ 77 (87, 97, 107, 117, 127, 137, 147, 157, 167) cm.
Sleeve circumference: 11½ (12¼, 13, 13½, 15½, 17¼, 18¾, 20, 21¼, 22¼)” 29, 30.5, 32.5, 34, 39, 43, 47, 50, 53, 55.5) cm.
Armhole Depth: 6 (6½, 6¾, 7½, 7¾, 8½, 9¼, 10, 10½, 11¼)“ 15 (16, 17, 18.5, 19.5, 21, 23, 25, 26.5, 28) cm.
Sleeve length from underarm to cuff: 18¼” 48 cm.
Length from underarm to hem: 24” 60 cm.

MATERIALS
Yarn:
MC: 623 (688, 754, 820, 885, 984, 1082, 1180, 1279, 1377) yards 570 (630, 690, 750, 810, 900, 990, 1080, 1170, 1260) m of sport weight yarn. 
CC: 437 (492, 547, 601, 656, 711, 765, 875, 984, 1094) yards 400 (450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 800, 900, 1000) m of lace weight mohair yarn. 
Needles: US 4 3.5 mm, and US 3 3.25 mm, at least 32” 80 cm long.
Other notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, tapestry needle.

GAUGE
23 sts and 30 rows to 4” (10cm) in Stockinette Stitch on US 4 (3.5 mm) needles after blocking, using the MC yarn.
Pre-blocking: 24 sts and 36 rows.
Take into consideration that there’s a 15-20% vertical growth with blocking, so instructions are provided to account for this growth.

Experiment with gauge to play with the size of Traveler Cowl by Andrea Mowry. Explore different colour possibilities, hold a couple strands of yarn together, or spin your own yarn! The stitch pattern lends itself beautifully to a relaxing knit, but its unique construction makes it fun to knit again and again! This cowl is worked flat on the bias, and then seamed. You begin by increasing on both edges, then only one, and finally decreasing on one edge to create this unique shape!

SIZES
Toddler (Youth, Adult Small, Adult Large)

FINISHED GOAL MEASUREMENTS
Circumference - 18 (21, 24, 26)”/46 (53.5, 61, 66) cm
Back Neck Depth - 5.25 (7.25, 9.5, 9.5)”/13.5 (18.5, 24, 24) cm

YARN REQUIREMENTS
These are just approximations. Total yarn usage will depend on the yarn you use (fiber content, ply, etc.), your personal gauge, and any modifications you may make.

DK Weight Wool Yarn
Total approximate yardage per size: 65 (105, 157, 170) g/165 (265, 400, 430) yds/150 (245, 365, 395) m
Exact yardage will depend on size, gauge and yarn used.

Here is an estimate in grams of yarn necessary to use a different weight yarn in this pattern. Please note that these are just estimations. I recommend staying within the range of fingering to worsted weight yarns.
Fingering - 55 (85, 130, 140) g
Sport - 60 (90, 140, 150) g
Worsted - 70 (110, 165, 175) g

SUGGESTED YARN: Schoppel Wolle Edition 3 or Starke 6, Malabrigo Rios or Arroyo, Queensland Collection Rainbow Beach

WIPs and FOs

I finished my Growing by Lone Kjeldsen!

I love the back shoulder detail and the light but cozy fit of this cardigan.

I haven’t blocked it yet but it fits even over my oversized Paloma by Espace Tricot and my Swirl Skirt by AnneLena Mattison.

I had Debbie model my Growing cardigan.

I decided to cast on a smaller project - Gardener’s Prayer Gathering by Yamagara. I am knitting mine with Jamieson & Smith 2 Ply Jumper Weight.

By 10:30 Sunday night I had knit this much when I decided to double check the hat size. Gauge is 26 stitches which I got but I hadn't really looked at the hat circumference. it was looking rather small with a cast on of 120 stitches so I checked it against my Bonnie Isle Hat by Linda Shearer where I cast on 140 stitches. Quite a difference so I was understandably concerned. I tried it on and...to my relief it fits! If you are knitting this and you need a bigger hat than the 46 cm, add a repeat or 2 or use bigger needles for a bigger gauge.

The photos really don’t do justice to the actual colours. I can't wait to add the embroidery to this hat and also plan to make the matching Gardener's Prayer Handwarmers.

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

Claudia (@cgriffs01) finished this beautiful Rendez vous by Emilie Luis for her daughter using Malabrigo Sock held double with Garnstudio Drops Kid Silk.

Claudia (@cgriffs01) knit this pretty dress from Rowan Miniature Classics by Martin Storey using Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply yarn.

Rita (ritz) finished this sweet Teddy top down dress by Linda Mary for a teddy bear.

Dianne (DianneJL) finished her Painted Pebbles Shawl by Forest City Knits using one skein of Malabrigo Sock in Marte and a skein of stash yarn.

Debbie (debsnubs) knit herself this gorgeous Traveler Shawl by Andrea Mowry using Malabrigo Rios.

Debbie (debsnubs) recently finished this fabulous colourful blanket using Berroco Vintage.

Sandi (sandima) test knit this owl hat for Joan Rowe using her very first hand spun as her main colour.

Here’s a photo of 2 more pairs of Krystyna’s socks worn by the recipients!!

CLASSES

Check out and register for classes as soon as possible!

SHOP UPDATE

Koigu’s December Collector Club colour Pine Grosbeak

Koigu’s January Collector Club Colour Paradise Tanager

A restock of Artis Shawl Kits and Lunenburg Pullover Kits have arrived. Check out all of our Kits.

Happy Wednesday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!