The Cocoon Cardigan
March 15, 2025
First off--I love this, even though the entire time I was knitting it I was fretting over the color and the style. I wondered if I could pull this crazy thing off, but turns out that now that it's done, it's really not crazy at all. It's super easy to wear and feels more like a wrap then a cardigan, and the color is not terrifying but FUN, even if it's totally out of my usual comfort zone. I'm glad I went for it. I tried it on for my girlfriends last night and everyone loved it. We put it next to everyone's face and about half of us could wear this color and the other half could not. Color is funny and I honestly don't know much about it.
I've been told I'm a summer and that's about all I know about that subject. I understand that "having your colors done" is a thing again and I've half a mind to get mine done. Do any of my readers know anything about this sort of thing? It's a mystery to me but I feel I should take interest as I'm trying to put more color into my wardrobe.
The pattern is from the brilliant Anir Berkimbeyeva who does a lot of designing for Purl Soho. I first "met" Anir when she designed the darling Alaskan Pullover which I've made several times, and even made one for me. I had to add these pictures of my grandson wearing one. Those were the days when I would knit him dozens of sweaters every year. Now he is seven, wears a boring uniform to school and on weekends wears his sports gear or hoodies. Oh well, the sweet little sweaters were awfully fun to knit while it lasted!
The Cocoon Cardigan is so interesting to make. It starts at the cuff and knits in the round with two rows of purl and two of knit while also making radial increases until you have a giant funnel shape but also using short rows to shape the back. Next you make a second one, then seam the two sides together down the back using a three needle bind off. Lastly you finish the edges with a simple purl edge that curves in. The pattern is creatively designed and well written making it easy and fun. I often toss a pattern after I knit it but this one I'm keeping in the files because I would love to have one in every color! Wouldn't this be gorgeous in mohair and silk used double?
The yarn is from Purl Soho, which they have unimaginatively named "Knitting Yarn". I kid you not. It is 100% DK weight merino, is lovely to work with and well priced. The color is sour citron, I made the smallest size, and while I ordered 7 skeins, I only used 5. I looked at the Purl Soho return policy and it really is quite nice, so I sent two skeins back along with two skeins of Linen Quill in Fuchsia that I don't think I'll knit up. I asked for either a refund or a store credit and will be happy with either. I just checked and the sour citron is out of stock at the moment. It's more popular than I thought!
There is a KAL on Discord going on right now featuring Ainur's "sideways" designs. It would be totally cool to join in now. It started March 1 but is going on for two months so you would not be too far behind if you popped in now. Links below:
The reason I chose this color is because they were out of my first choice, charcoal. On a whim I order the Sour Citron because the model looked so cute in the color and I just wanted to go for something different. This was definitely taking a chance for me and I'm so glad I did! Love it!
Thank you for stopping in. I hope you are having a good weekend and are finding lots of free time to knit!
I hope you enjoyed my post and found it helpful and will consider becoming a subscriber to the Knitionary blog. If yes, please click here. I won't sell your email so no need to worry about that sort of thing. I honestly wouldn't know how to do that if I did. I try to send out one post a week, usually about knitting but also about my other loves--gardening, crafts and entertaining. Sometimes I use affiliate links in my posts to help offset the costs of running a blog. If you click on an affiliate link and purchase an item, I may earn a little money. If you purchase the item using my affiliate link or not, the price will be the same. Purchasing from my affiliate links adds no cost to you but could put a little money in my pocket. Thank you for supporting the blog. If you'd like to make a comment, please scroll down. I reply to each comment and that response will appear directly below your comment. If you would like a personal reply, please know that I use the Blogger platform and they do not give me your contact information when you comment. If you would like a personal reply, you can contact me using the contact form on the right side at the very end of my website.
3 Comments
Love it! Good color on you!
ReplyDeleteLove, love this sweater, gorgeous color, one of your best!
DeleteLooks wonderful on you! I have a store bought sweater, the same color that I ordered on a whim and every time I wear it get compliments. A friend told me I was a summer, but honestly don’t understand the color thing.
ReplyDeleteYou make my day when you make a comment!