Reading Cardigan

May 23, 2023

 


I'd like to share my most recent test knit, or preview knit as Brooklyn Tweed calls them. The pattern arrives complete and they ask for knitters to knit it up in any yarn or color (as long as you get gauge) to show other knitters the possibilities of one pattern. I've test/preview knit for BT many times and my experience has always been positive. 


Now on to the actual sweater! The fit is oversized and comfy, the yarn is soft and cozy, and the texture is fabulous. The pattern itself is long in pages, all BT's patterns are lengthly, but the information is logically and beautifully presented. I suggest you make a cup of coffee and sit down for a half hour to read it through and understand the process. I highlighted, underlined, and circled important things, then wrote out a separate page of row by row instructions, because when increasing and decreasing you are doing one thing every 6 rows, and at the same time doing another thing every 8 rows, then that changes to every 4 rows, etc. and it is much easier if you write out your size row by row. The pattern is not difficult at all, but could be if you don't prepare yourself. There are other nice features in the pattern where you have spots to pen in your size's instructions. I did all this before casting on, then it was just following along page by page. I should add here that the pattern is more expensive than most. Brooklyn Tweed has addressed that before and their reasoning is that they want to give their designers and support staff a fair wage, and that makes total sense to me. 


The bomber jacket shape, broad at the shoulders, slimmer at the waist, is created by using double decreases down the fronts and the back. These decreases are also used at the inner sleeve and another set at the sleeve front. It's all very clever. The texture is created by using a type of modified brioche stitch called the shaker rib. Knitting it almost felt like I was practicing some form of self care, each stitch was so soothing to create. The gentle, repetitive act of making one cushy stitch after the other was a stress reliever and I'm not exaggerating at all. It's knitting a sweater like this that makes me so grateful to be a knitter. What a nice hobby we have! And after all that relaxation I have a nice sweater to wear, so lucky me! 


Reading Cardigan by Jared Flood

My Ravelry project page

Shelter by Brooklyn Tweed

I used 9 skeins in Fossil for size 2





I can see myself grabbing it often this fall, winter, and spring. I've tried it with high waisted trousers and skinny jeans, because I still wear skinny jeans, and both make a good look. In fact it was the sweater I took this weekend for a two day getaway and it looked great with everything.


And speaking of skinny jeans, I'm wondering, have you bought wide legged jeans yet? I've tried in vain to wear them but they look positively ridiculous on me. The saleslady and I had a good laugh! Something about my age and the shortness of my legs I think. I don't wear super skinny jeans, but they are slim at the ankle and I'm not ready to give them up quite yet. Over the years I've collected several (five) pairs of wide leg linen pants. I wear them all summer and hope the look never goes out of style! But the wide leg jeans, I'm not so sure.


Below I'm sharing a close up of the shaker rib, plus the decorative decreases. It's just one of many small styling details that turn a simple cardigan into something special. The sweater is knit in one piece, top down, including the placket which is sewn down at the end. The button holes are on the inside of the placket. There are several versions; I made the size 2 cropped version with traditional sleeves. You might be able to detect in the photos that there is a difference in the skein color. It's all from the same dye lot, but with hand dyed yarn it's suggested we alternate rows but I never do; I'm either too lazy or forgetful. The good news is that in real life you can't easily detect it, but somehow the camera loves to find flaws and amplify them. You should see what the camera does to my neck! 




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11 Comments

  1. Super Cool! My new favorite of your projects, Kristin! Thank you so much for sharing this gorgeous pattern. Have to run p, but may elaborate later. Chloe

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  2. Great sweater. One of your best!

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  3. I love this sweater and imagine the style and color will always be a classic. The jeans I wear are a mix of styles. And yes, I have a pair of the wider leg they are showing now. I love them, but they are more of a flare leg than wide. Have you tried them? Got mine at Old Navy as I was not investing a lot in something I was unsure about. The more I wear them the more I like them!

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    Replies
    1. There is an Old Navy in a mall not far from me so I think I should go check them out. My problem is being short and having short legs. But I guess really that it's just getting used to them.

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  4. That’s exactly where I was going to tell you I got mine, Kristin - Old Navy! I also found on various trips that European pants often fit me better. Maybe because Europeans tend to be shorter? Although they’ve grown too, lately. I would love to see Jared Flood as he has matured as a person since he taught one of my classes at the first Vogue Live! He was appealingly serious and focused back then and meticulous without being fussy. I think we all came out from that class better knitters. Chloe

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    1. OK, def have to make a trek to Old Navy. I never think about that store to tell the truth, plus I don't enjoy clothes shopping either. Such a dud. What a great memory to have that experience at the first Vogue Live! That must have been 10-15 years ago? I've never gone to one. Yes, just think all that he's done since he published his first pattern. Hand knitters are so lucky to have such a dedicated and talented guy championing our hobby.

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  5. You are so right, Kristen! And it was quite awhile ago - about 12 years - so much designer talent. It still remains vivid in my memory. Chloe

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  6. Such a gorgeous cardigan and thank you for your detailed review. I’m an enthusiastic beginner knitter having only started about a year ago but thinking I may tackle this next (as soon as I finish my first sock! 😆). It’s helpful to know to write out the entire pattern beforehand; I tend to plunge head along into projects but have realized that knitting cannot be rushed!

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