Appenzell

Appenzell Cardigan by The Blue Mouse

What is Being Made

Appenzell is a top-down, seamless raglan cardigan designed to be oversized and cozy. The garment features an A-line shaped body with slowly increasing stitches throughout, creating a flattering silhouette. The sleeves are picked up and knit in the round with gradual decreases to achieve wide, comfortable proportions. This cardigan is ideal for layering and provides a relaxed, contemporary fit.

Design Features and Construction

This cardigan is worked seamlessly from the top down, eliminating the need for seaming. The body is constructed in stockinette stitch, the fundamental knit fabric that creates a smooth, refined appearance. Garter edging—created by knitting every row—finishes the front edges, providing a textured, classic border that frames the cardigan opening. The A-line shaping is achieved through decorative yarn over (YO) increases distributed throughout the body, which not only add visual interest through small eyelet details but also allow for gradual, controlled expansion from the shoulders to the hem.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Appenzell cardigan employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques. The primary stitch is stockinette stitch, which is created by alternating knit and purl rows when working flat, producing the classic smooth knit fabric. Garter stitch is used for the front edgings, created by knitting every row regardless of direction. Yarn over (YO) increases serve as both a functional shaping method and a decorative element, creating small openings that add visual texture to the body. The raglan construction involves picking up stitches along the armhole edges and working the sleeves in the round, which requires proficiency with circular needles or double-pointed needles (DPNs) and the ability to work seamlessly in the round. Decreases are worked gradually in the sleeves to taper from the wide armhole to the cuff.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Appenzell is designed to be worked with a combination of two delicate yarns held together: a lace weight mohair and a single ply lace weight merino, held double. This pairing creates an airy, luxurious fabric with subtle sheen and softness characteristic of mohair blends. The yarn weight is classified as 4 ply, and the pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches over 4 inches (60 cm) using US 7 (4.5 mm) needles. A cropped version of the cardigan requires approximately 810 to 1355 yards of yarn, depending on the size selected. The pattern calls for circular needles in 24-inch (60 cm) length or longer for the body, as well as preferred sleeve needles measuring 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm) in length, which may be DPNs or magic loop needles. Ribbing at the cuffs and hem is worked on needles two sizes smaller than the gauge needles, specifically US 5 (3.75 mm), to create elastic, fitted edges that hold the garment securely to the body.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle seamless construction and shaping techniques. Familiarity with top-down raglan construction, working in the round, and managing yarn overs for both shaping and decoration is expected.