Folded Squares Cardigan
I recently visited one of my favorite sources of inspiration: Kinokuniya, a remarkable Japanese bookstore in midtown Manhattan. There, I unearthed Tomoko Nakamichi’s beautiful and aptly titled sewing book, “Pattern Magic 2.” And at that moment, the seed for our Folded Squares Cardigan was planted!
Under the intriguing heading, “Wearing a Square,” Nakamichi outlines a pattern for a cardigan that consists of a big “T” with its outer top corners folded inward. Gears turning, I set out to try the template in knitted form, using garter stitch and Habu Textile’s incredible Dyed Bamboo.
The pattern may seem a bit like origami, but instead of crisp, angular paper, Dyed Bamboo is more like a jellyfish! As lovely as it is amorphous, this yarn tends to expand and shift and have a life of its own.
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
And although this makes securing exact measurements a bit challenging, I encourage you to embrace this yarn and silhouette for what it is: an easy-to-make, incredibly slinky, soft, and elegant affair! – Kristy
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Kristina McGowan. Click here to see even more of Kristina’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoFoldedSquaresCardigan, and #PurlSohoBurnish. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 2 skeins of Habu’s Dyed Bamboo, 100% bamboo; approximately 850, (930, 1090, 1180, 1275, 1375) yards required. I used the color Silver.
You will also need…
- US 4 (3.5 mm), 24, 32- or 47-inch circular needles
Shop our wonderful collection of fingering-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
Gauge
Before blocking: 24 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch
After blocking: 20 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch
Stitch and row counts given in the pattern reflect final measurements after blocking.
Note: Whatever yarn you use to make this pattern, be sure to block your swatch and make sure you’re getting the correct ‘after blocking’ gauge.
Sizes
NOTE For help picking a size, please check out our Understanding Ease + Selecting Size Tutorial!
34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54)
- Finished Chest Circumference: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54) inches
- Length from Underarm to Bottom Edge: 9 (9, 9 ½, 9 ½, 9 ½, 9 ½) inches
- Length from Underarm to Bottom Sleeve Edge: 6 ¾ (6 ¾, 7 ¼, 7 ¼, 7 ¼, 7 ¼) inches
SAMPLE: Size 38
Notes
A garter stitch “ridge” is a horizontal corrugation formed by knitting two rows. Counting ridges is an easy way to determine how many rows you have knit without having to count as you work. If you find this confusing, just multiply the number of ridges given by two, and that is how many rows you should knit. For example, 40 ridges is 80 rows.
Bind off all stitches as follows: *K2tog tbl (through the back loop), place stitch back on left needle, repeat from *.
Pattern
Fronts and Back
Cast on 260 (270, 290, 300, 310, 320) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Knit every row until you have 40 (45, 50, 54, 58, 63) garter stitch ridges [see Notes, above].
Divide Fronts and Back
Bind off 90 (90, 95, 95, 95, 95) stitches for Left Front, knit until there are 80 (90, 100, 110, 120, 130) stitches on right needle for Back, join second ball of yarn and bind off remaining 90 (90, 95, 95, 95, 95) stitches for Right Front. Cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining stitch.
Continue Back
Knit every row over center 80 (90, 100, 110, 120, 130) stitches until you have 81 (81, 85, 85, 85, 85) garter ridges from the bind-off rows.
Bind off all stitches. Cut yarn and pull it through the remaining stitch.
Sleeves
Note: Make two identical sleeves.
Cast on 60 (60, 66, 66, 66, 66) stitches.
Knit every row until you have 30 (30, 33, 33, 33, 33) garter ridges.
Row 1 (right side): K1, slip 1, k1, psso (pass slipped stitch over), knit to last 2 stitches, slip stitch just worked back to left needle and pass second-to-last stitch over and off needle, slip stitch back to right needle, knit last stitch. [2 stitches decreased]
Row 2: Knit.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 4 stitches remain.
Next Row (right side): K1, k2tog, k1. [3 stitches]
Next Row: K1, k2tog. [2 stitches]
Next Row: k2tog. [1 stitch]
Cut yarn and pull it through last stitch.
Finish
Weave in ends and block all three pieces. Block by submerging them fully in water, gently squeezing out the excess water, and laying them flat to dry (shaping to finished measurements).
With the wrong sides facing up, position the top points of each Sleeve under each side of the “T,” as shown in the schematic in the Notes section, above.
Starting at the base of one Sleeve point, whipstitch the Sleeve’s top point to the underside of the T-shape, shown in the schematic as a bold line.
Sew the Sleeve’s underside seams together. For tips, visit our Seaming Garter Stitch Tutorial.
Fold the Cardigan along the schematic’s dotted lines and whipstitch the body’s side seams to finish.
Weave in the ends and enjoy your Folded Squares Cardigan!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
This is stunning with a absolutely simplistic design that has such an elegant look. This tunic could be worn anywhere and be created in many colors and designs (ex. such as color blocking, different color sleeves, different color body).
Thanks for posting and I can not wait to create it.
Thanks a lot, Loir-Lynette!
Next step for me, figure out where to add to the bottom and fold up to create pockets.
This would be lovely in a wool, too. Fantastic. Thank you for the easy pattern.
Beautiful sweater! Simple and elegant
Do you have suggestions for a less expensive yarn?
Hi Thea, thanks a lot! Purl Soho’s Mulberry Merino would also be a lovely choice for this project! It also knits up beautifully and you would need about 4 hanks of it. Thanks for writing!
Kristy
While I love the sheen of this Habu bamboo, I agree with Thea — it’s such a pricey yarn. Will the Mulberry Merino drape as beautifully?
Hi Lolo,
Yes, I think the Mulberry Merino would be a gorgeous choice for this project too!
Thanks for writing!
Kristy
Beautiful work! I’m normally pretty liberal with my yarn substitutions, but this soft cardigan looks perfect for the Habu bamboo. I’m off to order it!
Wonderful! Thanks, Ophelie!
This is the first knitting project I have ever seen that makes me want to learn to knit…..now! Stunner.
Hi Judy! That’s so great to hear! Thanks a lot for writing in!
Kristy
What a stunning design – simple, elegant and feminine! The yarn looks so silky and I am absolutely in love with this color! Thank you so much for sharing!
This will be on my fall knit list, but I think I may try it, adding a couple of inches-out of rayon fabric as well. Would have a lovely fall and super simple to make in an afternoon.
what a gorgeous pattern, and seems so easy… another on my ‘to do’ list 🙂
Simple lines, simple pattern, very elegant!
Thank you for continuing to feed our interest!
this looks like a great pattern. So wearable and so simple to make! Thanks for the pattern!
What is the yarn weight of the Habu Bamboo? Worsted? DK? Other? I am thinking of trying to substitute a less expensive yarn. Thank you. I love the pattern. I’m sure it will be a favorite.
Hi Suzi,
The Habu Bamboo is in the sport weight range (in garter stitch, I got 6 stitches per inch on a size 4 needle to start). But it’s important to note that this particular yarn tends to grow a bit in size after you get it wet and block it, and that the measurements can change after you block it. The gauge I measured after blocking was 5 stitches to the inch, which is more typically aligned with a DK weight. Substituting a variety of yarns for this project would be easy to do, and to follow the measurements of the pattern, you just want to make sure that you’re getting the “after blocked” gauge of 20 sts and 36 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch. If you find a yarn that you’d like to substitute and work up a swatch of it to see what your numbers are, I’d be glad to answer any further questions you may have. The simple shape makes such adjustments very easy to do. Thanks for writing! Kristy
I love this but I am plus size. How would I go about increasing this pattern?
Hi Jeanie and Jlori,
We typically do not resize our patterns, but this particular pattern is simple enough that if you write to me ([email protected]) and send me your measurements, I’d be happy to work with you to figure things out. Thanks for writing!
Kristy
Gorgeous pattern! It’s so clever and elegant, and it’s a perfect remedy for the itch to make a sweater I’ve been having.
I’m looking to use some stash yarn, do you think that tosh merino light would be around the right gauge, or should I try something more toward sport or dk weight first? My gauge tends to be pretty tight. Thanks!
Hi Mary,
Tosh Merino Light would be beautiful, but yes it’s likely you’ll get a finer gauge than the pattern calls for (when substituting yarn for this pattern, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the ‘after blocked’ gauge). Given the simplicity of the pattern, if you’d like to work up a swatch in the Tosh and see what gauge you’re getting, I’d be glad to run numbers with you and see what adjustments could be made. Thanks for writing! Kristy
Lovely knit. What weight of yarn have you used for this cardigan? And what other types of fibres do you think would suit its style?
Thanks, Sarah! Habu Bamboo is a sport weight yarn. I think the project would work really well with any yarn that has a nice drape. Purl Soho’s Mulberry Merino is a favorite and I think would be beautiful. Anzula’s For Better or Worsted would also be really nice. Good luck and thanks a lot for writing!
Kristy
Wonderful design! I live in Australia what ply is Habu Bamboo?
Hi Jennifer!
The Habu Bamboo is a 5ply yarn and blocks to around an 8-10ply.
Thanks for writing in!
Kristy
Yarn is in beautiful shade and nice texture.
Your creativity and style originality are amazing and refreshing! Thank you for this lovely pattern!
That design is wonderful. I, though, need a larger finishd bust. Reccomendations on increasing finished chest? I need another 10″. Thank you
Beautiful cardigan, and the yarn is gorgeous! Is this Dyed Bamboo the same as Habu XS32 20/18 Bamboo Yarn? Just trying to figure out the different colors available!
Hi Angela, yes! That does seem to be the same yarn, simply offered in a lower yardage per skein. Thanks for writing in!
Kristy
Hi Angela and Kristina,
Just checking – are you certain it’s the xs32? I calculated yards per ounce compared to the Habu site and it seems the xs-24 matches (both 80 yards per ounce), while the xs32 is 55 yards per ounce (but one of the only weights that comes in different colours). I’m also exploring my colour options…
Cheers,
Sam
Hi Sam!
You’re absolutely right, the Habu bamboo that we carry is closest to the xs24! (http://habutextiles.com/XS-24). The xs32 is very similar and if you use that, you would just need to make sure that you’re getting the same gauge in order to work the pattern, going up or down a needle size as needed. Thanks for writing in!
Kristy
Thank you for such a beautiful design . I love everything about it! Oh, I use that bind off all the time and it’s the best. Always looks perfect. Gotta go and look at those yarn colors.
Hi Karen! Thanks so much! And yes! The bind off is one of my favorites too! Thanks for writing!
Kristy
My niece is getting married this fall and I have been looking for a shawl to make my mother. I think this may be the perfect alternative as it is flowy and elegant and will “stay put”. I am concerned about the length of the sleeves. I am a bit confused as to where to measure/adjust length. Can you tell me the measurements to determine a shoulder to wrist length. If 38 is the finished bust size then I will be making that.
Thank you for a wonderful pattern!
Hi Maria,
Congratulations to your niece and that’s so great that you’ll be making something for your Mom! Part of what I found so appealing about the shape and fit of this cardigan was its ease and lack of structure. The fit of the sleeves is slightly unconventional, in that (depending on the fit around your shoulders) the top points of the sleeves will likely fall on your body like a dropped shoulder (as you can see in one of our photos), and this makes predicting what your exact measurement will be slightly tricky. For the sample, which is the size 38, the top point of the sleeve to the cuff measures approximately 15 inches, after blocking, and the yarn does tend to grow a bit. One thing you might want to try if you’d like to be able to have a bit more control over the final length of your sleeves, would be to work them using a provisional cast on. This would allow you to unzip the cast on edge, pick up those live stitches and add more length if you end up wanting it. We have a great tutorial on our site on how to work a provisional cast on if you’ve never done one and would like to try. I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck with the project!
Kristy
Do you know what amount of ease the model is wearing? Having trouble deciding what size to make.
Hi Francis,
Our model is wearing the size 38, and the garter stitch does tend to drape quite contracted and openly at the front with the bamboo. I hope this helps and please let me know if you have further questions/concerns.
Kristy
My kind of knitting, a simple pattern with the yarn being the star!
I’m just a little confused about the seaming. Is this a whipstitch or mattress stitch? I thought the whipstitch was more of a “loop over the top”. Or am I really confused!
Thanks for a lovely pattern – looking forward to trying it once I get unconfused!
Hi Betty! Thanks for your question! And for the opportunity it gives me to clarify! To sew the tops of the sleeves in place and the side body seams, you’ll use whipstitch (or any preferred seaming method). I lined the pieces together and neatly whipstitched them along the edges. But to sew the underside sleeve seams together (the garter stitch lines up perfectly there) I used our Seaming Garter Stitch tutorial, where the mattress stitch is indeed used. I hope this helps clear up any confusion and thanks for writing in!
Kristy
I have some Rowen Panama in my stash. It has great drape. Do you think this might work?
Hi Olivia! Do you know what gauge you’d be getting with the Panama? For the pattern, you’d just need to make sure that you’re getting the ‘after blocked’ gauge for the measurements to work. Thanks for writing!
Kristy
Too bad you do not allow to SAVE instead of printing, most companies offer this .
Hi Veila,
Very sorry that you’ve been having problems! We do indeed provide a way for you to download and save the pattern (both as a pdf and you can also email the pattern to yourself and save it that way). When you click on the “Print” icon, it should take you to another page, at the top of which you should see, the options, “Print,” “Pdf” and “Email.” Please let us know if you’re still getting stuck — we’re here to help! Thanks, Kristy
So beautiful! I Can’t wait to make it. Will two skeins be enough for a large?
Thanks 😀
Hi MaryAnn!
Two skeins will be more than enough for the larger size! Thanks for writing in!
Kristy
Just purchased the Habu Bamboo in silver and cannot wait to get started on this project! Thanks for a truly elegant and simple pattern.
Hi Lolo — that’s so exciting! Thanks a lot!
Kristy
I’ve never used circular needles before they sound a little confusing. I will give them a try though I like this pattern. Than you!!
Hi Sandy! I know circular needles can seem a bit daunting if you’ve never used them before, but really they’re just two straight needles attached together by a cord, and maybe thinking of them that way can help. When you have a large number of stitches to cast on (as you do for this cardigan) that long cord just helps keep everything in place. Thanks a lot for writing and sending good luck,
Kristy
I wonder if you might try knitting your tension square on circulars first to get used to it.
That’s a great idea, Carol!
I see a reference to the schematic , but I didn’t see one. Did I miss it? Absolutely beautiful and simple design and to repeat someone else’s comment. It’s so simple yet the choice of fiber takes it from simple to special. Love all the Purl projects.
Hi Laurie!
The schematic should appear in the “Sizes” section of the pattern. If you’re not able to find it or see it, you can send me your email address and I’d be glad to mail it to you as an attachment ([email protected]).
Thanks for writing in,
Kristy
I bought some mulberry silk yarn for a shawl–the yarn is the prettiest I’ve ever seen. Wonderful place to shop!
Hi Mary,
I couldn’t agree with you more! It’s one of my favorite yarns! Thanks a lot for writing!
Kristy
Why must you use a circular needle? I like to knit with on two needles with one tucked underarm.
Hi Christine,
The number of stitches that you cast on to work the Fronts/Body of this cardigan is just quite high and that makes using a circular needle much easier. The stitches would be very difficult to fit on a normal set of straight needles. Thanks for writing in!
Kristy
Kinokuniya and Purl Soho were two of the places on my must-see list last December when I went to my first Vogue Knitting! The others were Marimekko, and, right around the corner from you, Gudrun Sjoden.
Would like to make this but modifying it to be wider and shorter…as I am wider and shorter. 🙂
Hi Margie! That’s exciting that you got to visit those great places! Good luck with your modifications and thanks a lot for writing!
Kristy
Can you suggest a cotton or similar non allergenic yarn,
I seem to have a problem with bamboo, wool, alpaca,
Most fibers.
Would love to make this folded squared cardigan
Thank you
Susan
Hi Susan,
Have you ever worked with Cascade’s Pima Cotton? That might be a lovely choice. You may have to experiment a bit to see what needle size would get you the needed gauge, but since the piece is all in garter stitch, it shouldn’t be too hard to adjust. Please let us know if you have additional questions as you find the yarn substitution you like best!
Kristy
I love garter stitch and this pattern shows why. Classic style, hugely and beautifully understated.
I live in France and can’t easily obtain the specified yarn. Please tell me what length of yarn would make up a skein of this yarn. A skein is not a european measure. Yarn here is sold in 50gr or 100gr balls with the length specified. I can convert from length to weight without difficulty…and thus find a worthy equivalent.
Thank you
Hi Margaret,
The Habu Bamboo yarn is approximately 269 grams per hank, and you’d need approximately 300 (330, 385) grams for the sizes we provide. I hope this helps and please let us know if you have any further questions! Thanks for writing. Kristy
This is lovely. Does it close? From the images, it looks like its front panels are narrow and do not reach each other. And if that is the case, is there a way to make it wider so it can be closed in front with a decorative pin? Thank you!
Hi Joani,
Thanks for writing! With the drape and fit of the sample in the Habu Dyed Bamboo, in size 38, the fronts do naturally hang open, though they could be brought together with a pin as you suggest! Something you might try, if you’d like to have more control over the final length of the fronts, is to use a provisional cast on when you cast on your stitches for the Fronts/Body. This would allow you, when you’re done, to unzip the cast on stitches, pick up and add more length, even having the fronts overlap if you’d like. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any further questions! Thanks, Kristy
I love this but I crochet rather than knit. Do you know of a way I could crochet this rather than knitting? Thanks!
Hi Peita,
We currently don’t offer this pattern in a crocheted version — though it’s a great thought and definitely something to keep in mind. Thanks a lot for writing!
Kristy
This is a lovely sweater. When I am finished with the one I’m currently knitting I am tempted to knit this one.. What a beautiful and elegant pattern. The yarn is so nice..
Your designs are always so beautifully elegant and this is no exception. I’ve made a number now and been really pleased with all of them. This one drapes perfectly and the sheen of the yarn is so pretty.
My question is – do you think the smallest size can’t be made with one skein?
Thanks – Claire
Hi Claire,
For the sizes we outlined 34 (38, 42) you’ll need two skeins of the Habu, though not by much. Each hank of the bamboo is approximately 760 yards and you’ll need about 850 (930, 1090) to make the cardigan. In grams, that would be 269 grams, using 300 (330, 385)grams.
Thanks for writing,
Kristy
Any suggestions for something to make with the remainder?
Hi Angela,
The drape of the Habu Bamboo makes it particularly beautiful to use for scares and shawls. Think our Checkerboard Lace Scarf pattern would be really lovely to make with any yarn you have left over.
Kristy
I have Jade Sapphire 2 ply silk and cashmere in my stash. Would this be a good substitute?
It is a wonderful pattern. Thanks for making it available.
Hi Rosalind, thanks a lot! That’s a beautiful yarn! In order to follow the pattern, you’d just need to make sure that you were getting the ‘after blocked’ gauge! Good luck and thanks for writing!
Kristy
Can this be made using the 20/12 bamboo sold to make the wedding shawl?
Hi Carolyn,
Yes! That would be a lovely substitute! You would just want to make a swatch and check your gauge, but it should be very similar! Thanks for writing!
Kristy
Thank you for such a great Q&A opportunity. I so want to return to NY and you can bet I’ll be at your shop! So nice of you to be willing to help us expand the size for us big girls!
– “I want it !….”
Merveillous
Because the long first cast-on row is the entire front and neck edge of this cardigan it must be very very elastic, (especially with the bamboo yarn).
I would suggest a provisional cast-on so that at the end of the project, a really stretchy bind-off can be made. (A SEWN bind-of might look nice and unconstructed here!)
Hi Ila, yes! Great suggestion! I tried to find the stretchiest bind off I could — you’re absolutely right!
Kristy
Thank you for this useful tutorial. Very detail. I love it at the very first sight. Can’t wait to make it by my own!
Thanks so much, Mai! Good luck!
An interesting cardigan, but not quite the same as the garment in Pattern Magic 2, which inserts the cut away triangles as underarm gussets.
Hi Gabrielle, you’re absolutely right! Including the triangle underarm gussets shown in the sewn version just seemed a bit too “flying squirrel” to me in the knitted bamboo, but I imagine they would be easy to add! Thanks for writing!
Kristy
I’m going to make the folded squares cardigan. Can I substitute the bamboo yarn for lace?
Hi Sharon! Are you looking to make a piece that is more open and lacy? Substituting lace would not be a problem, but in order to get the measurements of the pattern, you would just need to make sure that you were getting the ‘after blocked’ gauge. Kristy
Beautiful pattern and thank you for sharing.
I have 2 questions:
If I measure 40″ bust, would you recommend I do the 38″ or the 42″
Second
Which mix would you suggest as a substitute :
50% cotton/50% bamboo (like Bamboo Pop)
or
20%wool/80%bamboo (like Debbie Bliss Prima)
Thank you
Hi Barbara! I would recommend the 42″. The garter does tends to contract a bit and I think the extra two inches would be nice.
You’ll want to make sure when substituting yarn that you aim for the after blocked gauge in order to get the same measurements, but I think both the Debbie Bliss Prima and Bamboo Pop should work well. The Prima seems a bit closer to the gauge you’ll need, and if I had to choose, it might be that one.
Thanks for writing in,
Kristy
Are there any pics of the back or sides of cardigan on the model. Would help to understand construction and decide if the style or fit one would like to knit. Thanks.
Hi Steph,
Up in the banner of the pattern, the photos that run along the top, if you click on the arrow that you should see on the right side, you’ll be able to scroll through and see additional views of the sweater, including a side view (which should be the 4th image in the line up). I’d also be glad to answer any construction questions you may have. It is a very relaxed and easy style overall, one that you can liken to a shawl with sleeves, with a wonderful drape around the shoulders. Hope this helps,
Kristy
I really want to make this, could I substitute Madelinetosh Pashmina? I’d like something with some wool for warmth.
Hi Marlene,
The Pashmina is a beautiful yarn, and I think the cardigan would look great made in it. You would just need to knit up a swatch and see what your gauge is, and compare it to the after-blocked gauge of the pattern. If there are differences, it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out how to adjust things. Let us know how it goes — would be glad to answer any further questions.
Kristy
¡¡Gracias y mil gracias por el patrón!! Fácil, rápido y precioso. Algo así buscaba desde hace tiempo. Felicidades por tus trabajos.
Hola Cande! Yo también buscaba algún patrón de chaqueta de este estilo. Es verdaderamente fácil de tejer? Con qué tipo de hilo lo has tejido? Gracias!
BegoÑa
Hello,
I’d like to make this cardigan in a large slightly oversized fit. Would using Size 5 needles with Shibui Linen work? When making a gauge swatch, I was right on with the recommended size 4 needles.
Hi Alie, what gauge were you getting? Thanks, Kristy
I love the idea of using Anzula’s for Better or Worsted. Would you recommend changing the needle size? Thanks!
Hi Meg,
The suggested gauge for the For Better or Worsted is 18 to 20 stitches = 4″ on size 4-7 needles. For the cardigan, you’ll be working to match the pattern’s after blocked gauge and I would recommend trying a swatch on a size 6 or 7 and seeing how close you get, should be pretty close!
Kristy
Can you tell me the bust size of the model. I see she is wearing the 38″ sample just trying to gauge how much ease if any she is showing.
Hi Olivia,
Our model has a bust of 34C. Hope this helps!
Kristy
I am wondering if I can substitute lace yarn for the bamboo? Also I’m a 3rd & wonder how much I need to do to the pattern.
Hi Sharon,
Substituting a different yarn for the pattern is not a problem, but in order to get the measurements outlined in the pattern, you’ll need to make sure that you’re getting the same after-blocked gauge.
Best, Kristy
How do you keep the bottom opening edge from curling up? How do you keep that edge squared off? This looks great and luxurious!
Hi Louri, thanks!
The great thing about garter stitch (knitting every row) is that the resulting fabric doesn’t tend to curl and you can maintain a nice square edge. Hope this helps!
Kristy
I’ve been looking for simple and elegant pattern for the sport yarns I’ve saved over the years. This one is fit like into my basket 🙂 I definitely will knit this one up for this fall. Thanks so much for sharing.
How many skeins of your Mulberry Merino would it take to knit the size 38?
Hi Katie,
The Mulberry Merino has great yardage (247 per skein), and my best guess is that you’d need about 4 skeins to make a size 38.
With my best,
Kristy
I want to make this in a yarn i already have with similar gauge.
I have 1370 yards and two skeins of the yarn used is 1520 yards. Can you give me an idea of the actual yardage used?
Hi Kathy,
The estimated yardage needed for sizes 34 (38, 42) is 850 (930, 1090), so you should be in good shape with what you have!
Best,
Kristy
Thanks for the quick response! Having the actual yardage used is a big help for me and hopefully for others.
Hi, absolutely, Kathy! We just provided a few additional sizes, and the yardage for those would be:
sizes 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54): 850, (930, 1090, 1180, 1275, 1375) yards
Kristy
i have spun some 2-ply DK wt yarn and am looking for a pattern that I think will go with this yarn. I think size 7 needles will be right for this yarn. What do you suggest?
Hi Judy,
That’s great that you spin your own yarn! A useful thing to do might be to knit up a swatch of the yarn using a size 7 needle (if you think that would be the best match) and to see how many stitches and rows you are getting per inch. For this pattern, you’ll need to follow the after blocked gauge provided. Please let me know if you have any additional questions and I’m sending good luck!
Kristy
Hey,
What kind of cast-on did you use for this project? I usually use the long-tail cast on, but I’m not sure it’d be the best given the number of stitches one has to cast on. Thanks!
Hi Megan,
In creating the sample, I tried both a long-tail cast on and a provisional cast on (using a length of crocheted chain made from scrap yarn for the provisional). In using the long-tail cast on, given the large number of starting stitches, it might help for you to cast on about 20 stitches and then undo those stitches to see what length of yarn it took to make them. You can then approximate how much more yarn it would take to complete the entire cast on based on those 20. That can be a useful way to ensure that you don’t run short. The provisional cast on is also appealing in that crocheting the initial chain provides a bit more control over things. You’ll definitively know that you have the right amount of stitches at the outset based on the chain you make. I hope this helps — please let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns!
Kristy
Tie the ends from two balls together and do the long tail cast on. When you’ve finished casting on snip one of the yarns and you’re done. Once the piece is done just weave the ends in where the knot is.
Neat idea — thanks, Sara!
Hi –
The sweater is beautiful and I can’t wait to knit it. Ordering my yarn today. What cast on method did you use for this sweater? I noticed that Megan asked, but I didn’t read it in the response. Thank you!
Hi Angela, thanks!
In creating the sample and swatching, I tried both a long-tail cast on and a provisional cast on. I used a long-tail cast on for the body and tried a provisional cast on for the sleeves, thinking that I might want to adjust the final length of the sleeves, which the provisional cast on would allow me to do. You can undo a provisional cast on and continue knitting, adding length if you desire. This would also be true for the body, where you could adjust the fronts and make them longer and perhaps overlap if you’d like. I did this just to experiment with the sample. You do not have to use a provisional cast on and the cast method you choose is entirely your choice. I hope this helps! Thanks for writing in!
Kristy
I read through the comments and didn’t see a note about altering the length of the sweater (sorry if I missed it).
If I am looking at this correctly, you’d need to cast on fewer stitches (taking away from the 90 stitches on each end that become the fronts) and then also reduce the total number of rows knit on the center 80 stitches (the back) by some number to equal the reduced length of the fronts.
Am I close?
Any advice on figuring out how many reduced stitches (fronts length) would equal the reduced rows (back length)? Perhaps it would be easy enough to figure out with a blocked swatch (figure out how many stitches and rows per inch and then do the math?)
Thanks for any help with this.
Hi Kirstin,
The length of the sweater is indeed determined by the width of your initial cast on, which is a fixed number since the fronts fold over and the side edges become the bottom edges and are not live stitches, and therefore not adjustable. The helpful thing is that since you work the center Back stitches from the top down, you have complete control over the final length of the Back and can easily work the center Back stitches to match whatever revised length you establish for the Fronts. Does this make sense? A useful starting point in making such adjustments, just as you suggest, would be to create a swatch, to then block that swatch and have a crystal clear sense of your stitch and row gauge at the outset, and to then coordinate the reduction of cast on stitches with the rows worked for the center Back. Let me know if any of this isn’t clear! I would welcome any additional questions you may have! Kristy
Thank you!
You confirmed what I thought would be the way to make the length adjustment. I love this pattern. I think it would be a perfect addition to a travel wardrobe when you need a handy layer for cold airplanes, and windy cities.
Hi Kirstin! I’m so glad! And I love the idea of the cardigan as a piece to take on the plane or when traveling — that sounds perfect! I send my best and thanks for writing in!
Kristy
So do I get a badge for being the first to finish this? 😀 my project page and photos are up on Ravelry now.
Hi Stitchpunk! You absolutely do get a badge! Bravo! You did a really beautiful job! Thanks so much for posting the photos!
Kristy
Hi,
Should the gauge swatch be 4 in. x 4 in.? I’m trying to work with Loops & Thread Woolike Yarn that I have because it knits so well and is nice and soft but the gauge swatch that I made ended up being 3 in. across x 3.5 in. down. Any suggestions as to how to adjust? I used the same number of stitches and rows as the unblocked swatch and used size 4 needles as well. Thank you!
Hello Ally,
How many stitches are you getting per inch? It sounds like your gauge is more dense than the pattern is requiring, which could mean that you are a slightly tighter knitter than our pattern knitter was! No problem though, I would suggest you use a larger size needle and then measure again. Start with US 5 and see what you get. Here is our tutorial on measuring and making a gauge swatch: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2006/08/29/swatching-for-gauge/ Take a look! Happy Knitting! -Alyson
After checking, I noticed that I am still officially on your mailing list. However, I have not received any communication from Purlbee since June. Could you please check on this for me and re-activate. I really miss hearing from from you.
Regards
Hi J.Marchant, I will check to make sure you’re on our mailing list and please let us know if you don’t start receiving our emails and newsletters soon!
How many grams does your sample size weigh (i.e. how much yarn did you actually use?) I just purchased 4 skeins of your Mulberry Merino and I’m wondering if I have enough to make the smallest size (34) sweater. Thank you. I can’t wait to start!
Hello Julie!
We used approximately 840 yards for the size 38 sweater. Since you have over 980 yards of Mulberry Merino, you should have plenty!
Enjoy and happy knitting! -Alyson
This pattern is elegant. Yarn lovely but beyond my budget. I used Noro sock yarn to create my sweater from this pattern. It turned out lovely. Instead of counting ridges since vastly different gauge, I used your measurements. Worked up perfectly. Thank you for sharing your tallent and patterns with us. I am posting photo in my raverly projects if you would like to see it. Thus far it will be a private post. Thank you so much for your kindness and sharing.
Dear Kati,
I’m so glad that your cardigan turned out well! I very much look forward to seeing the photos of it! Thanks for posting them and for writing!
Sending my best,
Kristy
I’m dyeing up some DK weight 100% alpaca this weekend to start a second one, because I love the 1st one so much 🙂 also I think it will be an interesting experiment to compare the alpaca version with the wool blend one in terms of drape and fit.
hi there,
I absolutely love this pattern! Was just wondering if you think this would work in the Karin Oberg Kalinka yarn?
Many thanks,
Chrissie
Hi Chrissie!
The nice thing about the simplicity of this pattern is that it lends itself well to a variety of yarn types, & the Kalinka would certainly be one of them. I’ve worked a bit with the Kalinka and think that the cardigan would be lovely made in it. It is a much different animal than the bamboo that was used for the sample — in terms of drape and feel — the bamboo is far more slinky. But especially after the linen is blocked, it is elegant and has a beautiful drape of its own — not to mention that the colors it comes in are glorious. It is an exciting idea for sure! Best to you and good luck!
Kristy
What is the weight of this yarn? I’m a new-ish knitter. I have knit several scarves/shawls and hats. I would like to attemp a sweater and this one is beautiful. I’m trying to use up the yarn I have, so I’m trying to understand the weight of this yarn (DK, fingering?) so I can choose a correct replacement.
Hi Jennifer,
The Habu Bamboo is a dk/sport weight, and tends to expand a bit after it is blocked. Your best guide in choosing a substitute yarn would be to try to match the post-blocked gauge of 20 stitches x 36 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch as closely as possible. Do you have a particular yarn in mind? The pattern would work well using a large variety. Please feel free to check back in with us and ask any further questions you may have as you swatch and find the yarn you’d like to use!
Kristy
Hello!
Is it possible to knit this using straight needles? Or are the circular needles required?
Thanks!
Hi Nina!
Because of the large number of stitches that you’ll need to cast on, a circular needle would indeed be the best way to go. Straight needles simply won’t allow you to carry the number of stitches you’ll need. I hope this helps and thanks for writing!
Kristy
I’d like to knit this in the Purl Soho Worsted Twist. What adjustments to the pattern do I need to make to do this? I am also not sure how many skeins of the Purl Soho Worsted Twist I’ll need for the 46. What size needle would you recommend? And while I am at – one more question: What is the best way to determine my size? Is it simply measuring my bust? Thank you! Your help is greatly appreciated!
Dawn
Hi Dawn,
The pattern would not be difficult to knit in the Worsted Twist and for the size 46, you would need approximately 1180 yards or 7 skeins. Since the gauge will be different than the bamboo that we used for the sample, I would recommend knitting up a 4″ square swatch in the Worsted Twist in garter stitch (on a size 7 needle) to see what your stitch gauge is and once we know that, we can figure out how many stitches you would need to cast on and could go from there.
For sizing, I would start with your bust size and use it as a guide. The cardigan is drapey and not form-fitting, but if you work the size that will encompass your bust, it will help ensure that the cardigan will close in the front. I hope this helps and look forward to working with you to make the needed adjustments!
Kristy
Love this pattern!! Made it for myself first in classic elite vista looked and felt great. Made it for presents in the bamboo WONDERFUL lovely drop and flow with the bamboo. Thanks again Purl Soho for your simplistic genius.
I really want to knit this sweater, but my attention span on such a fine yarn with small needles isn’t going to work. What yarn that is bulkier and quicker to knit do you suggest?
Hi Vicki,
It would have a different look and feel than the sample, which because of the bamboo drapes in a rather slinky way, but our Worsted Twist and Worsted Twist Heather would also be a beautiful yarn to use for the pattern and would provide the bulkier weight you’re looking for. Please let us know if you have any further questions and thanks for writing in!
Kristy
Thoughts on using Karin Oberg Kalinka for this?? The colors are amazing!
Hi Erica!
The Kalinka would be a beautiful choice! It is slightly finer than the Habu bamboo used for the sample, and you may find that you need to go down a needle size from a 4 to a 3, depending on your tension. If you have any questions as you work the piece or if you need to adjust things in any way, please just let us know. Thanks for writing!
Kristy
i love this pattern, and am wondering if it could be easily adapted to a crochet project? would this be something you would be interested in translating over to crochet? or if it would be simple enough, offer suggestions? thank you in advance!!
Hi Angelena,
It shouldn’t be too hard to create a crocheted version of the pattern! Your fabric will be denser, but the shapes shouldn’t be too difficult to replicate. The Body/Fronts piece is essentially a large “T”. What you could try is working up a swatch of single crochet, a good 4 x 4 inch square and seeing how many stitches and rows you are getting per inch. With those numbers in hand, we could figure out, based on the size you’d like to make, how many stitches you would need to cast on to start. For the sleeves, you could try following the instructions for the knitted version and decrease 2 stitches (one stitch on each end) every right side row to shape the point of the sleeves, and this should work. Please keep us posted as you progress! We’re here to help and answer any questions you may have along the way!
Kristy
Hi Kristina –
I love this sweater! I have 9 skeins of Ella Rae Classic Sport that I would like to use. There is 164 yds per skein. What are your thoughts on needle size and if I have enough yarn?
Thanks
Marsha
Hi Marsha!
With 1476 yards, you should definitely have enough yarn, even to make the largest size. The suggested needle size for the Ella Rae Classic Sport is 5-6, and you’ll probably do well with either of those sizes. What you could do is knit up a swatch and see what your gauge is (how many stitches and rows you’re getting per inch) and how closely it comes to the one given in the pattern, as there may be adjustments you’ll need to make in order to get the right size. Please feel free to run these numbers by us or write back if you have any further questions at all! Good luck!
Kristy
Hi Kristy, sorry if this is a duplicate, wasn’t sure my last question went through. My swatch was perfect, so I am ready to go. Would you suggest doing the 42 or 46 size if my bust measurement is 42.5. Thanks!
Marsha
Hello, Marsha!
Thank you for writing in! Sorry for the terribly delayed response! I recommend doing the 46″. The garter does tends to contract a bit and I think those extra inches would be lovely. If you have further questions, please let us know!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Hello Purl Soho! What a great pattern! I am not sure if you have already answered this question in any of your other patterns, I have difficulties in undestanding the term “blocking”. You mean knit a sample square , let’s say, wash it , leave it dry and see if the measurements are different that before washed? does this determine the size we choose to knit? (I mean rather than our actual size?)
I was desperately trying to find a pattern that I could actually knit ( cause I’m not advanced at all as you can tell) and now that I found one I am afraid of not making the right decisions and end up with a completely different knit that the one I’ll be knitting.
Last but not least, would you see this pattern knit in a cheapper alternatine yarn of the same thickness of the one you used?
Thank you in advance !! Greetings from Greece!
Hello, Iliana!
Thank you so much for writing in! I am terribly sorry for the delayed response! I think that this cardigan is a great knit for anyone, regardless of experience/ability. So, you can totally do this!
Blocking is just a technique that gently eases, stretches, or redistributes stitches in a finished knit piece. For example, if you were to knit a scarf or a sweater and it looked uneven or wonky you could block it to make your fabric even. We’ve got a really wonderful blocking tutorial here that highly recommend!
We gave two gauges for this pattern, one blocked and one unblocked. This is because we used a natural fiber (bamboo) and natural fibers tend to behave differently from synthetic fibers once washed. Washing may not affect a synthetic fiber but it does tend to tighten up natural fibers.
So, as you correctly noted, you’ll knit up a sample swatch, then you’ll measure that. If you’re gauge matches the patterns (Before blocking: 24 stitches x 44 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch) go ahead and block it. If it does not, you’ll want to adjust your needle size until you get the correct gauge. Once you’ve achieved the correct gauge, block it and measure it. You should end up with the same blocked gauge as the pattern, 20 stitches x 36 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch.
The sizes that we have listed are of the final, blocked cardigan; so, I would choose the size that is closest to what you would normally wear.
I am not sure what size you’ll be making but the estimated yardage of yarn that we used for sizes 34 (38, 42) is 850 (930, 1090). So, which ever yarn you choose, make sure you have enough yardage. Some cheaper alternatives to the Bamboo include:
Cascade Ultra Pima (this one will have a similar drape to the Bamboo).
Purl Soho’s Mulberry Merino (This one will have similar sheen to the Bamboo).
Tosh Merino Light (This one will give a more structured look to the cardigan, but gives you the most yardage for the price).
If you have further questions, please let us know! Again, thank you for your questions!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Hi Kristina-
I am using Cascade 220 Super wash and a size 5 needle. I’m just about done with the back, per the pattern. However, I’m taller than average (6’2″), so I think I need to make it a bit longer. The problem is that the fronts may be too short. I did a provisional cast on, so I can go back and add width to the fronts, but not length. I also intend to add quite a few rows to the sleeves. What do you suggest as a possible solution to add length to the fronts? I’m worried now!
Hi Anne,
At 6′ tall, I very much sympathize with you in the challenges of finding the right lengths! What size are you making? This pattern does lock you in a bit at the outset with Body length. And although it’s not an ideal solution, I have seen lovely examples of people simply picking up stitches after the Body is finished and knitting extra length in garter stitch that way. The direction of your garter will of course not be the same, but the stitch is forgiving enough that the addition can still look of apiece and purposeful. I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions, and thanks for writing with this one!
Kristy
Thanks for your prompt reply! I am doing a size 42. I had considered picking up stitches, so I’m glad that’s an option. This is the very reason that this is my first sweater, although I have been knitting for 15 years! I am always afraid I will end up with something much smaller than intended, even if I swatch and measure. My daughter has quite a wardrobe of clothing that is never quite long enough for me! Thanks for your advice.
Anne
hi,
i was wondering if you have this pattern for the size 32.
and also, if you dont, would a 34 look huge on me if i am 32?
thanks
Hi Amelie,
Thanks for writing! Although we don’t have the pattern available in a size 32, the 34 should still work well! The cardigan is intended to be loose fitting and the extra two inches should not be a problem! Good luck and please don’t hesitate to write with any further questions!
Kristy
I would like to use our PurlSoho line weight for this. I’m wondering if it can be used as n easy substitute or if I would need to “double” the yarn to get the correct gauge. Thanks!
Hi Katrina,
Line Weight should work well as a substitute for the Habu bamboo for this cardigan and you may just have to experiment a bit with needle size in order to match the gauge. The Line Weight has a gauge of 6-8 stitches per inch on size 1-6 needles and the Habu bamboo has a gauge of 5-7 stitches per inch on size 2-5 needles. You should not have to double the yarn in order to match the gauge, but you will want to make sure that you aim to get the “after blocking” gauge provided in the pattern. The bamboo’s gauge tends to change considerably more prior to blocking than the Line Weight does. I hope this helps and please let us know if you have any further questions! Thanks for writing!
Kristy
Out of curiosity- why is this yarn so expensive when it is made out of bamboo? Thanks!
Hi Adela,
One guess would be that the Dyed Bamboo (from Habu Textiles) is a larger than normal hank of yarn (approximately 700 yards). I will also say it’s also soft and beautiful and lovely to work with. Thanks a lot for your interest and for writing in!
Kristy
I have a couple of questions. The original material called for is bamboo. Bamboo has its own weight and I wondered if that weight helped the cardigan sit well. If I were to use a lighter weight material, say silk and marino, would it fall as nicely as the bamboo?
I am a small person. Only 5’2″ and a size 2 dress. How do I adjust the pattern so that the cardigan doesn’t come out too long on me and reduce the bust measurement to fit a small person?
Hi Debra,
Thanks for writing and very sorry for the delayed response! Although the bamboo yarn does have a lovely weight and drape, we’ve also had customers substitute other yarns for this project with great success, silk and merino blends among them! A good place to see other completed projects would be on Ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/folded-squares-cardigan).
We don’t have the pattern available in a size 32, but other customers who are also that size have been able to make the 34 and have it work. The cardigan is intended to be loose fitting and the extra two inches should not make a big difference! I hope this helps! Good luck and please don’t hesitate to write with any further questions!
Kristy
The construction of this looks interesting! What do you think of using Woolfolk Sno as a substitute to the bamboo yarn? Thanks!
Hi Carol,
Thanks for the kind words! I think Woolfolk Sno would be a fabulous substitution! Especially for the winter!
Best,
Adam
Hi there. Can you tell me approximately how much yards/ meters are in one skein of he Habu Dyed Bamboo yarn .
Thanks!
Hi Simone,
Thanks for writing in! One skein of the Habu Bamboo contains approximately 700 yards or 640 meters. To get the details on any of the yarns that we carry, you can go to the product page (here: https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn/knitting-crochet/dyed-bamboo-xs-24b.html) for that yarn and click on the Products Details tab and you will find the yardage, gauge and other details.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I’m very interested in making this cardigan but would like to use a yarn that will be warmer. I’d like to maintain the drapiness and am not so concerned about the sheen (as nice as it is with the bamboo yarn). Are you able to recommend a alternate yarn or yarns that would result in a warmer cardigan but still have that beautiful drape.
Many thanks,
Cher
Hi Cher,
Thank you for writing in! I suggest Purl Soho Spun Silk or Anzula – Squishy. Both will give you a similar effect but will be much warmer. Thanks again!
-Adam
In an earlier inquiry, Adam recommended Anzula Squishy as a substitute for the Bamboo yarn which will give a similar drape but is a warmer yarn. Given the different gauges listed (Dyed Bamboo 5-7 stitches per inch vs Anzula Squishy 7.5 stitches per inch) and the different suggested needle sizes (Bamboo US 2-5 vs Squishy US 2), I’d like to confirm that I should be using the US 2 knitting needle size with the Anzula Squishy? Also, I intend on making the size 38 and would like to confirm that I should be purchasing 3 skeins of the Squishy? Not at all sure of the yarn substitution process! Thanks for your help.
Hello Cher,
Thank you for reaching out! If you are using Squishy, I would use a US 4 as suggested. The most important thing when substituting yarns is getting the correct gauge, so I would also suggest knitting a gauge swatch before jumping in. I hope this clears things up and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Thanks Marilla… and is it 3 skiens for the size 38 in the Squishy?
Hi Cher,
Yes- three skeins should be perfect.
Let us know how it goes!
-Marilla
Would this work in the Linen Quill yarn as a warmer alternative? It has such beautiful colors…
Thank you!
Hi Elana,
Thanks for the question! I think that the Linen Quill would be a wonderful substitution! Glad you like the colors too!
Adam
Hi! Can you help me with the final blocked size of the main ‘T’ piece? I cannot tell from the diagram how long the blocked sweater should be from the base of the ‘T’ to the bottom of the two arms of the ‘T’.
Thank you!
Hi Kim,
Thanks for writing in! Great question! Based on the schematic, the final height of the T from top to bottom will be, 27 (28, 31, 32, 33, 34) inches. To get this number, I added the 3 measurements for each size found along the vertical right hand side of the schematic.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi! I love this pattern, but knitting things is always a bit tricky for me since I have the chest size of a size S but the length of a size L (I’m 6’1” and weigh 130 pounds so you get an idea of what I’m working with.) I made the body of the cardigan appropriately longer, but I’m not sure how to elongate the sleeves. If I know how long they were to begin with, I’d be able to add the appropriate amount of rows for my gauge, but looking at the pattern, I’m just not sure how many rows to add. Help!
Hello Red,
Thanks for writing in! Luckily the answer to your question is quite simple. If you knit the length for the largest size I would knit the sleeve until it has 33 garter ridges before beginning your decreases.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Warmly,
Marilla
Wondering how to choose the size! I’d love to go with a longer length, will use the above advice to increase the sleeve length for my ape arms. If I choose a large size than I am, will it give me a longer length?? I think this is what I’m understanding based on previous posts. Thank you!
Hi Erica,
Thanks for writing in! The larger size will both give you more length and a wider sweater. Due to the folded nature of the body, lengthening it would require quite a bit of work as you will need to lengthen the tops of the T (as seen in the schematic) as well as the bottom of the T.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Dear Purl Soho
I would like to knit the Folded Square Cardigan but I am based in the UK. Please can you let me which yarn I can use an alternative, please can you tell me what the ply is it 4ply or DK?
I have had a look at the website and I cannot find out. I am from the UK so an alternative would be useful.
Thank you
Many thanks
Claire
Hi Claire,
Thanks for writing in! The Dyed Bamboo that we used here is considered a Sport weight in US yarn sizes which puts it between and 4 ply and a DK weight in UK sizes. I would look for a yarn that knits at the same gauge, here that would be 5 – 7 stitches per inch (heavy 4 ply or a light DK).
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I am fairly new to knitting (I taught myself about a year ago). I noticed in a previous comment that you said the yarn weight in the pattern is DK sport. I typically think of those as two different yarn weights. Does either weight yarn work for following this pattern?
Hello Zach,
Thank you for reaching out! When deciding which yarn weight to go with the most important thing to consider is your gauge. While yarn weights are a helpful guide , there are often variations from yarn to yarn within the same weight. When we say DK sport it essentially means that it is between sport weight and a dk weight, so a heavy sport or a light dk.
I hope this all makes sense and please let me know if I can clarify anything for you!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
trying to figure out this pattern. understand back and sleeves but where are the instructions for the fronts
Hi Betty,
Thanks for writing in! Due to the unusual construction of this lovely cardigan, you knit the back and front at the same time as the same piece. The sleeves are knit separately and then sewn in as shown in the diagram. The whole knit piece is then folded and seemed along the dotted lines noted in the diagram. It can be a bit to wrap your mind around! I would suggest printing the small diagram and folding it along the dotted lines. I find that this helps to make the whole thing understandable.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I would love to make this weather, but don’t want to use bamboo yarn. Can you recommend a yarn that would work equally well?
Hi Suzanna,
Thanks for reaching out! Any fingering weight yarn that drapes well would work for this pattern. I think this would be lovely in our Field Linen or Linen Quill, or Anzula Squishy for something with a bit more warmth.
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
thinking about knitting this a bit oversized and and longer into a bathrobe with cotton pure. any suggestions?
Hi Hazel,
Thanks for writing in, and I think that sounds like a wonderful idea! I would definitely recommend checking your gauge since Cotton Pure is slightly heavier than Habu Dyed Bamboo – however, if your gauge does end up slightly bigger, you may be able to just knit the pattern as is with your larger gauge to make the oversized robe you are after!
Best of luck and please let us know how it goes!
Julianna
Hello! Wondering if you have an alternative purl soho yarn recommendation that is soft and similar in drape that may suit someone on a tighter budget? Thank you!
Hello Lauren,
Thank you for reaching out! I think this Cardigan would be beautiful in our Cotton Pure. Cotton Pure is slightly thicker than Habu’s Bamboo so I would definitely knit up a gauge swatch before jumping in.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
Warmly,
Marilla
What a gorgeous pattern! I inherited my late mother’s yarn stash, so what I have is all that I have of her yarns. One of them is Missoni “Charlotte” and I have 776 grams, which I think would come out to be about 930 yards. I know your pattern is for a much lighter weight yarn, but do you think I could make this work if I can get the gauge right? Thanks!
Hello Stephanie,
Thank you for reaching out! I would say if you get your gauge right, go for it. The concern I would put forth is that you will loose the drape of the fabric and it will be to stiff. This could certainly be tested out when you are knitting your gauge.
I hope this helps and let us know how it goes!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Beautiful pattern. Would you consider posting modifications for a cropped version with elbow-length sleeves like the cover of Purl Soho Classics. I would really like to make this as a layer for work but not sure about trying to work out the modifications on my own.
Hello Jennifer,
Thank you for this fantastic suggestion! I will pass along your request. In the mean time, if you are up for a bit of experimenting, it looks like if you just adjust your cast on number you can achieve a cropped version of this sweater.
I hope this helps and happy knitting !
-Marilla
I would like to echo this request. I had some interest in this pattern a couple of years ago but decided that it was too large and drape-y for me. Then today I somehow stumbled upon the Purl Soho Classics photo and tried to figure out the pattern. I was surprised to discover that it was the folded squares cardigan! Your page describing Purl Soho Classics advises non-Japanese readers that the English versions are available, but it’s pretty clear that some modifications were made, both using a different yarn but also a much more cropped style. Maybe it’s exactly the same just a smaller size? I even considered trying to get the Classics and put it through Google translate to try to figure it out. If you could let us know that would be great. Thanks.
Hello Nicole,
Thank you for this thoughtful reply! We will take all of these excellent suggestions into consideration. From what I can tell is that all they did to alter this particular pattern is crop it.
Thank you again for writing us!
Warmly,
Marilla
Hi,
Sorry if this has been asked already. But, do you know how tall the model is?
Thanks,
Melissa
ps I am 5’10 and slender, just wondering what the best option would be for me!?
Hello Melissa,
Thank you for reaching out! I believe the model is around 5’7″ and is wearing the size 38″.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi! I love this pattern however I am a basic knitter and find the bamboo yarn a little too expensive for experimenting. Would the Cotton Pure work? https://www.purlsoho.com/cotton-pure.html
If not, which other more affordable yarn and the quantity required for this project?
Thanks!
Hello Yiping,
Thank you for reaching out! I would definitely recommend checking your gauge since Cotton Pure is slightly heavier than Habu Dyed Bamboo – however, if your gauge does end up slightly bigger- however since the piece is all in garter stitch, it shouldn’t be too hard to adjust.
I hope this helps and let us know if you have any additional questions!
-Marilla
Hi, lovely pattern, can it be made shorter in length?
Hello Sandi,
Thank you for reaching out! You can crop this cardigan to make it shorter in length. Because this is knit side to side you will just cast on less stitches to achieve this.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hello,
I recently purchased the Super Soft Merino for a blanket and I just love the wool so much that I decided to change projet so I could wear it!
As a beginner knitter, I would love a simple cardigan. Could this be adapted so I could use a heavier size wool and needles? If so, how many skeins of Super Soft do you think I would need (I currently have 7)?
Thank you.
Hi Maude,
Thanks for reaching out! Scaling this sweater up to use a super bulky yarn like Super Soft Merino is quite a jump, but it is doable if you are willing to do a bit of math – fortunately this sweater is mostly rectangles, which makes this possible. You will need to knit a gauge swatch using Super Soft Merino on US 13 or US 15 needles, whichever you find gives you a fabric that is drapey without being too loose, and measure your stitches per inch. You can then use the diagram and multiply your stitches per inch by the various measurements for your size to figure out how many stitches to cast on and cast off for the body and sleeves.
Determining how much yarn you will need when making such a big change is unfortunately not so simple. Since it is quite an oversized sweater, I would guess you will need between 10 and 15 skeins total, but you will have a better idea once you start knitting and see how far each skein goes. I would recommend purchasing more than you think you need to be on the safe side, and any unwound yarns can be returned for store credit. You can view our full return policy here.
I hope that helps, and please do let us know how it turns out!
Julianna
Thank you Julianna! My gauge was exactly 50% larger so maths are quite simple. However, I’m having a hard time figuring out how long the sleeves should be from bottom edge to top on the triangle part, and from bottom edge to just before we start decreasing. The pattern says 6 3/4in but that seems rather short. I’m making the sample size 38. thank you!
Hi Maude,
That does actually sound like the right measurement. If you look at the modeled pictures of the cardigan, you can see that the sleeves are quite dropped – the underarm where the sleeve meets the body of the sweater hits the model right about at her elbow or a little lower, so that 6 3/4 inches is measured from there. However, knowing that, you can modify the sleeve length if you prefer a longer or shorter sleeve!
Best,
Julianna
Hi. Unsure if you’ve answered this.
I’m making this now and I’m on the sleeves. I’ve noticed they are short. If I want it to go to my wrist how much should I add?
On your pic is comes up short on her wrist.
Hi Elle,
Thanks for writing in! You can certainly adjust the length of the sleeves if you wish! It’s hard to say exactly how long to make them since everyone’s arms are a different length, but if you look at the modeled pictures of the cardigan, you can see that the sleeves are quite dropped – the underarm where the sleeve meets the body of the sweater hits the model right about at her elbow or a little lower. In the pattern, the sleeve is 6 3/4 inches before beginning the shaping, so you can modify this length if you prefer a longer or shorter sleeve!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hello, I have 2 skeins of Cattail silk at home, do you think this would work out similarly?
Thanx!
Hi Katra,
Thanks for reaching out! Cattail Silk is a bit thinner than Habu Dyed Bamboo, so you might be able to get the correct gauge for this pattern, but you would definitely need to knit and block a swatch or two to find the right needle size. It would be a lovely, drapey, lightweight option for this cardigan!
Best,
Julianna
Thank you so much, I will try it! 🙂
Hi, it appears that this cardigan is on the cover of the “Purl Soho Classics” book in Japanese. I would love to make that cropped version with the mid-length sleeves. Can you tell me what yarn was used for the version in the book? Is this version available in pattern form? Thanks!
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for reaching out! All of the projects in the Purl Soho Classics book, including the Folded Squares Cardigan, are knit out of Line Weight. Unfortunately an English version of the book is not available; however, all of the patterns were knit without modifications other than substituting Line Weight held either single or double, so I suspect the cropped sleeves and length are simply due to the gauge difference of knitting the pattern above in Line Weight, which is thinner and less drapey than the original bamboo.
Best of luck, and I hope that helps!
Julianna
I have just completed this pattern using Mulberry Merino. The yarn is lovely and drapes beautifully, however the sweater is shorter overall but still a good look. I blocked according to the measurements but the fit is different. Not sure if it is the difference in yarn or if I should go to the next size when making in the bamboo yarn (I love the pattern and plan to make another). There doesn’t seem to be much difference in measurements going from 34 to 38, but I realize the yarns are very different. I sued size 6 needles with the merino.
Thank you!
Hello Joy,
Thank you for reaching out and for sharing your experience! It sounds like your gauge might have been on the tight side. I would definitely knit up a gauge swatch before jumping into your next cardigan.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Thank you – I thought that might be the case. Looking forward to working with the bamboo yarn!
Would really love to make this sweater for myself, but the only color left is blue. Is there another similar yarn in silver you could recommend or one that would work?
Thanks,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, I think this cardigan would be just lovely knit out of Burnish in Gray Willow! You will need 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins of Burnish.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Could Burnish work on this patter? What is the yardage needed? Thanks!
Hi Mary,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, Burnish is an ideal yarn to use for this cardigan! You will need 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins of Burnish for each size.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi can u use dk wool ty.
Hi Tracey,
Thanks for writing in! We wrote this pattern for a fingering weight yarn, so I would recommend using a fingering weight if possible. If you would like to try a DK weight yarn, I would strongly recommend knitting a gauge swatch to make sure you will be able to match our gauge.
Best,
Julianna
How much ease is built into this pattern? Really like the look.
Hi Marilyn,
Thanks for reaching out! Our sizes are the actual finished measurements of the cardigan, so there isn’t any ease built in. Our model is wearing a size 38 with 4 inches of positive ease, so for a similar fit, I would recommend choosing a size about 4 inches larger than your actual bust measurement.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Hello, I really love the look of this pattern but am a really large size. How would I go about making the pattern larger to do this please? I read where you recommend 4inches larger than your bust size, I really don’t want to mention it in the forum!
Many thanks, Christine
Hi Christine,
Thanks for reaching out! I am so sorry that this cardigan doesn’t currently come in your size, but I am happy to help you figure out how to make it fit – no need to share your measurements! It will probably be helpful to sketch or print the schematic to write in your customized dimensions. You will need to start by adding 2 to 4 inches to your bust measurement, depending on how loosely you would like the cardigan to fit, to determine what the finished measurement of your cardigan should be. Next, divide this number by two, subtract two inches, and write this number in as the second dimension from the left along the top of the diagram. This will be the width of the cardigan across the back, which will be slightly less than half your total finished chest measurement. Next, go back to the finished chest measurement, subtract the back width that you just wrote down, and divide what is left by two to figure out what the width of each front should be, and write this number in as the top number on the right side of the diagram. You will probably also want to adjust the sleeve circumference, which is the number along the diagonal line, and the length of the cardigan below the armhole, which is both the 1st and 4th numbers from the left along the top and the bottom number on the right. (You can more or less disregard the 3rd number from the left along the top and middle number on the right, which is the height of the armhole, as you don’t have much control over it – it’s determined by the width of your sleeve piece) If you need to, you can round all of these dimensions to the nearest inch – just make sure the three length measurements are the same!
Once you have everything the way you would like it, you can use your gauge to determine how many stitches to cast on for each piece – the arrows in the diagram show you which direction you will be knitting. For instance, for the body, you will cast on the entire width at the top of the diagram, which you can figure out by adding together the 1st, 2nd, and 4th dimensions, and multiplying that number by your stitches per inch. As long as you keep an eye on your diagram to adjust cast ons, cast offs, and lengths, you can follow along with the rest of the pattern!
Since last spring, all of our new sweaters fit at least a 60-inch chest. We have also been updating older patterns with the same, but I’m so sorry that this pattern hasn’t been graded to our new size range yet! If you like, you can view a gallery of our new and updated sweaters by clicking right here!
Best,
Julianna
What style of cast on would you recommend for this project?
Hi Kerry,
Thanks for asking about this! We used a long-tail cast on for this cardigan.
Happy Knitting!
Cassandra
Hi Julianna, Marilla and Cassandra…
Gorgeous pattern! Seriously considering making this… looks so simply elegant.
My question is… and you do Not have to answer this….
I wonder if you ever get tired of having to answer questions over and over, when we could just read through the questions and answers already dealth with? I don’t know if I would have the patience… 😉
Hi Sandy,
You are too kind! It’s really our pleasure to everyone’s questions to make sure their knitting is a success! No matter how minor the question, we just hope we can give knitters the confidence they need to keep on knitting!
All the best,
Julianna
There is a Habu dyed bamboo on the Habu web site is this the right yarn? It’s lace weight.Thanks!
Hi Gina,
Thanks for reaching out! The bamboo yarn that Habu currently carries is too fine for this cardigan, unfortunately. The original dyed bamboo was fingering weight, while the current one is lace weight. Our Burnish, however, is also 100% bamboo and makes an excellent substitute!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi Julianna,
Thank you so much for answering all our questions which such patience! I’d like to make this in a more longline version — where do I add stitches to add length to the sweater?
Bonus question: has anyone tried adding color blocks or stripes to this?
Thank you for the beautiful pattern!
Hi Brooke,
Thanks for reaching out and for your kind words, I will be sure to pass this along to Julianna! Since this pattern is knit vertically instead of horizontally, to lengthen it you would need to cast on more stitches for the FRONT AND BACK section. I haven’t heard of anyone working this pattern with color-blocking or stripes but I think it would be fairly easy to work either of those in!
All the best,
Gianna
Good morning. I just discovered your Folded Squares cardigan. I’d like to make it using Patons Classic Double Knitting. Would 1400 yds be enough for the larger size, or was that just the amount required to make the sweater shown? What do you suggest? Thanks
Hi Kathryn,
Thanks for reaching out! Since this pattern was written for the Habu’s Dyed Bamboo and each skein was 700 yards you only needed 2 skeins to make any of the sizes! If you are planning on making the larger size I would recommend definitely getting around 1400 yards!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi,
As the bamboo yarn is no longer available. How many yards are required for this model? I plan to use the Burnish yarn you recommend, but Im not sure how many to order for a size 34. Please advise. Thanks,
Sandra from Quebec.
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for reaching out! One skein of Habu’s Dyed Bamboo contains 700 yards (2 skeins was plenty for all of the sizes) so this project would require 3 skeins of Burnish for a size 34! I do recommend double checking your gauge whenever working with yarn substitutions!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
Can your Linen Quill yarn be used for this pattern ( Folded Squares Cardigan). Thank you!
Hi Katie,
Thanks for writing in! Linen Quill would be a great option for the cardigan! I would recommend double-checking that your gauge by working a swatch to ensure it is consistent with the pattern prior to beginning!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
How many skeins would be needed?
Hi Mia,
The number of skeins would depend on what size you’re making! You can figure that out by dividing the total yardage of your size by the yardage per skein of whichever yarn you choose to use as a substitute and rounding up to the nearest whole number. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Don’t know if this was asked but could double stranded mineral silk work and would 6 skeins be enough
Hi Denise,
Thanks for writing in! I think using two strands of Mineral Silk would be beautiful for this cardigan! The gauge should work up similarly, but I do recommend working a gauge swatch prior to beginning to make sure you are consistent or determine if you need to make any adjustments!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Do you suppose a ribbed cuff would work on the sleeves?
Hi Sunsprout,
Thanks for reaching out! I think you could certainly add a 2×2 ribbed cuff to this pattern!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hello!
What bind-off do you recommend for the DIVIDE FRONT AND BACK bind-off? As this bind-off (horizontal) edge will be sewn to the selvage (vertical) edge, I’d like the two edges to be of comparable stretchiness. And oh yes, did I mention I’m doing this in Good Wool, and substituted moss stitch for garter stitch? (This of course involved swatching and recalculating the pattern to reflect gauge, but it’s such an adaptable design, I just had to play with it, and so far, it’s looking great!) Thank you for your recommendation on best bind-off technique.
Hi Penelope,
How exciting, it sounds like you’re going to have quite a beautiful version of this wonderful sweater! For the bind off in the DIVIDE FRONT AND BACK section, I’d say that you could stick with the Basic Bind Off and if you’re a naturally tight knitter you might want to use a needle that’s a size or two larger than the one you’ve been using to ensure that your bind off edge isn’t too snug. If you wanted to try a different technique, you might take a look at the Better Bind Off, though I would encourage you to work up a swatch to test it out on first, before you work it on your sweater (just to ensure you are comfortable with the technique and to see if it will work for your purposes)!
Warmly,
Kelsey
Thank you! I experimented on a swatch, trying the two techniques you suggested in your reply as well as several different bind-off techniques I found online, and finally went with an Elastic Bind-Off. In the end, it seemed to work best for my knitting style, with more stretch than I could achieve with a larger needle, but not as much stretch as something like Jeny’s Super Stretchy Bind-Off, which I typically use for binding off socks.
BTW, I love your patterns – there’s always something new to learn, and the results are consistently excellent – and I love the quality and variety of your yarns, which now make up about 90% of my stash!
Thanks again for the reply!
You’re very welcome, Penelope! I’m so glad you found a bind-off that works for you, and thank you so much for your kind words! We’d love to see photos of your cardigan when it’s all finished, if you’d like to share – you can send them to [email protected] anytime!
Happy Knitting,
Kelsey
Hello, I need help with gauge. I see in prior comments that Burnish a natural fiber “tightens up” when it is blocked. So I do not understand why the # of stitches per inch goes from 6 to 5. That seems to me that it is less “tight”. I am about crazy thinking about this and so ready to start knitting this lovely sweater. I have “swatted and swatted” and so confused!!!! I do appreciate any help you can give me.
Hi Kay,
Thanks for reaching out. You’re right, the blocked gauge is looser than the unblocked gauge! I did see the previous comment that mentioned natural fibers tightening up when washed, and I’m honestly not sure why we mentioned that. In our sample, the gauge did grow from 24 stitches to 20 stitches in 4 inches after blocking. As long as you’re able to get the correct blocked gauge with your swatch, you’ll be all set to start knitting the sweater!
All the best,
Lili
Hello Lili, thank you for your response to my gauge question. I am now knitting. I started with sleeves. 30 garter ridges = 60 rows and per the given gauge 11 rows = 1 inch. If I knit 60 rows I would have about 5.5 knitted sleeve. But 2-15-19 note states sleeve is 6.75 inches when you start decreasing. thank you so much for your patience and your help.
Hi Kay,
That measurement was likely taken using the gauge after blocking, where the row gauge is 9 rows per inch. So, 9 * 6.75 = 60.75, which, rounded to the nearest even number, is 60 rows. Hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Lili
Hi! I see that the Burnish link no longer works, which I assume means it was discontinued. Is there another yarn that still follows the pattern exactly?
Also, is this cardigan good for a beginner who has never made a wearable?
Thanks!
Hi Mia,
Thanks for reaching out. For a substitute yarn that’s similar to Burnish, I’d recommend Santolina, since it also has some bamboo in its fiber content! It will have a fairly similar texture and drape to Burnish.
As always, we recommend knitting a gauge swatch before casting on your project, especially when you are substituting yarns. You may need to size up or down your needles in order to get the correct gauge! If you would like to learn more about this, we have a handy tutorial called All About Gauge.
I’d say that this is a great pattern for a beginner! And if you run into any issues along the way, we’re always happy to help clarify the patttern!
All the best,
Lili
I’d love some clarification on the substitution of Santolina yarn for the original yarn suggestion.
Is this based on the same needle size? I’m seeing that I might need to add an additional skein to get the same number of yards but I’d like to make sure I order the right number of skeins and needles (I’m getting restarted in knitting and thought this would be a great project).
Thanks so much for your reply and all of the clarifications in the previous comments. I’ve been a fan for years and I’ve lost count of how many people I have sent your way and to your (now closed) shop in NYC. Your customer service is A+
P.S. and I’m assuming that the Santolina yarn isn’t as slippery so I would be more concerned about the after blocking gauge. But can you suggest a before/after gauge for the Santolina yarn?
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for writing in! We recommend Santolina for this project because it is a similar weight/thickness to the original yarn used, Habu’s Dyed Bamboo. That means that it should be easy to achieve the same gauge (20 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch), since the yarn is about the same size! You may need to size up or down your needles in order to get the correct gauge, so we highly recommend knitting up a gauge swatch. To determine if your gauge will be correct after blocking, you can block your gauge swatch and take the measurements after it dries!
All the best,
Lili
Hiya
I recently discovered this pattern and I hope my question isn’t too stupid but I am a beginner. On your pattern it says KNIT EVERY ROW OVER CENTER. Please can you explain that to me.
Hi Joanna,
Thanks for reaching out! That phrase is actually part of a longer instruction that reads “Knit every row over center 80 (90, 100, 110, 120, 130) stitches.” This wording is unusual, so I can certainly see how it’s confusing, but all this means is to knit across the live stitches currently on your needles (and not the ones you’ve just bound off)! So for example, if you were knitting the largest size, you would knit across the center 130 stitches.
I hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Lili
Lili
Thank you so much for explaining this to me.
Kindest regards
Joanna
Does this sweater wrap in front or must you wear it as pictured?
Hi Gwen!
Thank you for writing in! You can absolutely wear this cardigan any way you’d like. If you would like to style it as a wrapped cardigan, where one front side crosses over the other when pulled together, there is enough fabric to do this! To create even more fabric for the front panels of the garment, you can knit every row after casting on for as many extra garter ridges as you would like. It may help to refer to your gauge swatch when determining how many extra rows you will need to add your desired amount of fabric to this front section.
I hope this helps make it easier to wrap up in your cardigan!
All the best,
Margaret
Hi —
Would you recommend Simply Camel for this project? And how many skeins (I am a size 8.)
Thank you,
Polly
Hi Polly,
Simply Camel would be a wonderful choice for this pattern! Can you let me know which size you’d like to make? The pattern sizes are 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54), which are based on your chest circumference. If you’d like guidance picking a size, I’d recommend checking out our Understanding Ease + Selecting Size Tutorial!
All the best,
Lili
The patterns says to whipstitch the sleeve to the cardigan “wrong side up”. Does this mean the seam is visible on the “right side” of the garment or am I reading the pattern incorrectly. Thanks.
Hi Deepika,
Thanks for your question! Since you are seaming the fabric with the wrong side facing up, the whip stitch seam will not be visible on the final garment because only the right side will be visible when it is worn! I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
Hello,
I would love your opinion on doing this pattern with cattail silk. I think I obtained the correct gauge after blocking but wonder if it will turn out too lacy and thin.
Many thanks
Carol
Hi Carol,
Cattail silk might be a tad bit thin for this project. Since you have already swatched and if you are happy with the fabric though then I say go for it!
All the best,
Gavriella
I think you’re right Gavriella, too thin. I really wanted it to work but I dont think I would be happy in the end. I’m having trouble finding a pattern I like that will work with Cattail. I’m an advanced beginner/intermediate-ish. I will keep looking.
Many thanks!
Carol
You are very welcome and please let me know if you have any other questions along the way!
Will this pattern work with Cotton Pure? I just bought 5 skeins for a different project, but I love the look of this sweater.
Hi Andria,
This pattern would work perfectly with Cotton Pure!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Hi! Is there any chance this might work with cygnet or buttercup cotton? I know they are fingering. I treated myself to a huge amount of both and would love to try and make a tank for underneath. Is this the kind of sweater that I might be able to go up a size or two? If that is hard to answer – what might be the way I could figure that out?
I have been in love with Purl Soho since I walked by the first book (Last minute knitted gifts) in Barnes and Noble. I had no idea how to knit but I went to my LYS and began. I have bins and bins of Purl Soho yarn and your patterns are the BEST! Thank you for making knitting approachable and beautiful for so many of us all over the world.
Warmly,
Christina
Hi Christina,
Thank you so much for such kind words! I am also happy to share that either of those yarns would work perfect with this pattern. We just suggest knitting a gauge swatch before you get started to make sure you are able to match the same tension of the pattern!
All the best,
Gavriella
I’m interested in making the folded squares cardigan. I’m confused with the yarn weight. A link in the pattern takes me to fingering weight as a substitute yarn, but most of the comments suggests dk weight. I’d like a yarn that would be soft and drapey like the habu. Thank you!
Hi Deborah,
I’m happy to help clarify things! The original yarn we used to design this cardigan is a sportweight yarn, but the gauge of the pattern is more typically aligned with DK weight yarns. The loose gauge is part of what gives this pattern so much drape!
We’ve recommended Santolina as an alternative most recently since this yarn has a similar fiber content to the original yarn. We classify Santolina as a fingering weight yarn, but it is honestly a bit thicker than most other fingering weight yarns, so it can work up to larger gauges! I think that yarn will be the best choice considering the softness and drape of the original yarn.
All the best,
Lili
Thanks for the prompt reply! I will take your advice!
Deb