Lohtu

Lohtu Cardigan by Anna Johanna

What Is Being Made

The Lohtu is a downloadable knitting pattern for a cardigan designed by Anna Johanna. This intermediate-level garment is described as "soft woolly armour between yourself and life," suggesting a cozy, protective layering piece. The cardigan is available in an extensive size range from XXS through 5XL, making it accessible to a wide variety of body types and measurements.

Design and Fit

The Lohtu cardigan is engineered to be worn with positive ease, meaning it is intentionally designed larger than body measurements for comfort and movement. Knitters are advised to choose a size with approximately 6 inches (15 centimeters) of positive ease at the bust circumference to achieve the intended fit and drape of the garment.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This cardigan pattern employs classic knitting construction methods suitable for intermediate-level crafters. The pattern uses a two-color design, incorporating both a main color (MC) and a contrasting color (CC) throughout the garment. The use of circular needles for the body and double-pointed needles for smaller circumference sections indicates a modern, seamless or minimal-seaming construction approach that reduces finishing work.

Stitches and Stitch Work

While specific stitch patterns are not detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, the intermediate difficulty rating and the use of fingering-weight yarn suggest the pattern likely incorporates standard knitting stitches with possible texture or colorwork elements. The two-color construction may involve techniques such as stranded colorwork, intarsia, or strategic color blocking depending on the design aesthetic.

Yarn and Materials

The Lohtu cardigan pattern calls for fingering-weight yarn, specifically shown in Kässäkerho Pom Pom Suoma Single, which is 100% Finnsheep wool in a single-ply construction. This yarn provides 205 meters per 50-gram skein. The pattern is shown in the colors Lokakuu (main color) and Viikuna (contrasting color).

Yardage requirements vary by size:

• Main Color (MC): 600–655 yards for XXS-XS-S-M1 sizes; 775–895 yards for M2-L1-L2-XL sizes; 985–1,310 yards for 2XL-5XL sizes
• Contrasting Color (CC): 580–635 yards for XXS-XS-S-M1 sizes; 740–870 yards for M2-L1-L2-XL sizes; 915–1,240 yards for 2XL-5XL sizes

Skeins required range from 3–6 skeins of main color and 3–6 skeins of contrasting color depending on the chosen size.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires two sizes of circular needles: US 2½ (3.0 mm) and US 5 (3.75 mm), both in 40-inch (100 centimeter) length for working the body. Double-pointed needles are also needed for smaller circumference sections. The use of two needle sizes indicates a ribbed or textured cuff or edging worked on the smaller needles, with the main body knitted on the larger needles for appropriate gauge and drape.

Pattern Support

This is a downloadable PDF pattern for personal, non-commercial use only. Pattern support is available through Ravelry (username annaj0hanna) or by email at annajohannadesigns@gmail.com. The pattern is copyright Anna Johanna, 2020.