Alpenglühen

Alpenglühen Cardigan by Isabell Kraemer

What is Being Made

Alpenglühen, which translates to "alpine glow," is a classic cardigan designed by Isabell Kraemer featuring distinctive cabled fronts. This seamless knit cardigan is worked from the bottom up and showcases eye-catching cable patterns on the front panels. The design is available in six sizes ranging from XS to XXL, with finished bust measurements from 80 cm (32 inches) to 115 cm (46 inches), making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The cardigan is a versatile wardrobe staple that combines traditional cable knit aesthetics with modern seamless construction techniques.

Knitting Techniques Used

Alpenglühen employs several advanced knitting techniques that position it at an intermediate difficulty level. The cardigan is constructed using the seamless method, worked from the bottom to the top in one continuous piece, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a polished, professional finish. Cable knitting is the signature technique featured prominently on the front panels, requiring the use of a cable needle to create the dimensional twisted patterns that give the cardigan its distinctive appearance. The construction method utilizes circular needles for the main body work, allowing for seamless in-the-round knitting, with double-pointed needles used for smaller circumference sections as needed.

Stitches Used

The stitch pattern combines fundamental knitting techniques with decorative cable work:

• St st (Stockinette Stitch): The primary fabric stitch, created by knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side, forming the smooth, classic knit fabric base
• 2/2 Rib: A ribbed stitch pattern using alternating knit and purl stitches (*k2, p2* on the right side and *p2, k2* on the wrong side), typically used for cuffs and waistbands to create elasticity and structure
• C1L (Left Cable - 1 over 2): One stitch is placed on a cable needle and held in front, then two stitches are knitted, followed by knitting the held stitch from the cable needle
• C1R (Right Cable - 2 over 1): Two stitches are placed on a cable needle and held in back, one stitch is knitted, then the two held stitches are knitted from the cable needle
• C3L (Left Cable - 3 over 3): Three stitches are placed on a cable needle and held in front, three stitches are knitted, then the three held stitches are knitted from the cable needle, creating a more pronounced twisted effect
• C3R (Right Cable - 3 over 3): Three stitches are placed on a cable needle and held in back, three stitches are knitted, then the three held stitches are knitted from the cable needle
• RFC (Right Front Cables): A specialized cable pattern worked specifically on the right front panel of the cardigan

Materials and Tools

The Alpenglühen cardigan is worked using Malabrigo Merino Worsted yarn, a high-quality wool yarn in the aran weight category. The yardage requirement varies by size, with the pattern calling for 4 skeins for the XS size, 5 skeins for sizes S, M, and L, and 6 skeins for sizes XL and XXL. The sample shown in the pattern is worked in the Sunset colorway, a vibrant hue that highlights the cable texture. Knitting needles in two sizes are required: 4.5 mm circular needles and double-pointed needles for the smaller gauge sections, and 5.0 mm circular needles and double-pointed needles for the main fabric, or sizes adjusted to achieve the correct gauge. Additional materials include six buttons for the cardigan front closure, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, waste yarn or stitch holders for managing live stitches during construction, and a cable needle for executing the cable stitches. The recommended gauge is 17 stitches and 24 rows per 10 centimeters (4 inches) when working in stockinette stitch on the larger needles.