Alys cardigan

Alys Cardigan by Bristol Ivy

What is Being Made

The Alys cardigan is a top-down knit garment featuring a distinctive swingy silhouette with bracelet-length sleeves. Inspired by metalwork from the British Iron Age, this cardigan combines elegant shaping with delicate cable details throughout the body. The design is available in seven finished bust measurements ranging from 31¾ inches to 61 inches, making it suitable for a wide range of sizes.

Construction Method

The Alys cardigan is constructed using a round yoke worked from the top down. The yoke shaping is achieved through a combination of increasing needle size and adding stitches at regular intervals, creating a gradual transition from the fitted neckline to the wider body. This top-down construction method allows for easy customization of length and provides flexibility during the knitting process.

Stitch Techniques and Pattern Details

The cardigan features an intricate laurel leaf cable pattern that serves as the primary decorative element. This pattern is worked over a multiple of 17 stitches plus 1 and repeats across a 6-row sequence.

Cable Stitches Used:

• C4F (Cable 4 Front): Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold to front, knit 4 stitches, then knit the 4 stitches from cable needle
• C4B (Cable 4 Back): Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold to back, knit 4 stitches, then knit the 4 stitches from cable needle

The pattern alternates between flat and in-the-round sections. When worked flat, the pattern includes purl stitches at regular intervals (multiples of 17 + 1) that frame each cable motif and create vertical lines of definition. When worked in the round, the pattern simplifies to a multiple of 17 stitches, maintaining the cable structure while eliminating the framing purl stitches for a continuous circular design.

The 6-row repeat creates a balanced laurel leaf design with cables crossing at the center (Rows 1 and 5) and staggered cable positions in the middle rows (Rows 3 and 5), producing an organic, leaf-like appearance that echoes the metalwork inspiration.

Yarn and Materials

The Alys cardigan is designed to be worked with Tern by Quince & Co., a luxury yarn composed of 75% American Wool and 25% Silk. This yarn is classified as 4-ply weight and provides 221 yards (202 meters) per 50-gram skein. The silk content adds subtle sheen and drape to the finished garment, complementing the delicate cable work and contributing to the swingy silhouette characteristic of the design.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with experience in cable work and top-down construction. The combination of cable stitches, shaping techniques, and the need to manage increases across multiple pattern repeats requires solid foundational knitting skills and familiarity with reading complex stitch patterns.