Brigid Sweater

Brigid Sweater by Emily J. Designs

What is Being Made

The Brigid Sweater is a knitted cardigan designed by Emily Johannes of Emily J. Designs. This mid-weight cardigan features a classic construction with a round neckline, raglan sleeves, and waist shaping for a flattering fit. The design showcases decorative sleeve stripes that allow knitters to feature their favorite color combinations, making it a versatile and customizable garment. Available in seven sizes ranging from XXS to XXL, the cardigan is designed to be worn with 2-4 inches of positive ease for comfortable everyday wear.

Construction Method

The Brigid Sweater is knit top down, a construction technique that begins at the neckline and progresses downward toward the hem. This method offers several advantages for garment fitting and customization. The top-down approach allows knitters to try on the piece as they work and easily adjust the final length to their preference. The cardigan features raglan sleeves, which are increased from the neckline outward, creating diagonal lines from the neck to the underarms. This classic sleeve style provides comfortable movement and a timeless aesthetic.

Knitting Stitches and Techniques

While specific stitch patterns are not detailed in the pattern summary, the Brigid Sweater employs waist shaping to create a tailored silhouette. The stripe pattern on the sleeves is a primary design feature, created through color changes with the designated yarn colors. Knitters work with circular needles for the body and transition to shorter circular or double-pointed needles for the sleeve sections, which is standard practice in top-down raglan construction. The pattern includes finishing details such as a buttoned front, indicating the cardigan features a button band closure.

Yarn and Materials

The Brigid Sweater pattern calls for Cascade Yarns Cantata, an aran-weight yarn that provides the mid-weight fabric characteristic of this design. Cantata is composed of 70% cotton and 30% merino wool, a blend that offers breathability and comfort with the resilience of merino fiber. Each skein contains 218 yards (200 meters) and weighs 3.5 ounces (100 grams).

Yarn requirements vary by size:

• Color A (Gray, shade 02): 3 to 8 skeins depending on size
• Color B (Blue, shade 09): 1 to 2 skeins depending on size
• Color C (Cactus, shade 20): 1 skein for all sizes

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires US 8 (5mm) circular needles in multiple lengths to accommodate different sections of the sweater. A 32-inch (80cm) or longer circular needle is used for the body, while shorter circular needles and/or double-pointed needles are used for the sleeve sections. A US 7 (4.5mm) 16-inch (40cm) circular needle is specified for the neckline finishing. The pattern also calls for notions including buttons for the cardigan front closure.

Difficulty Level

The Brigid Sweater is rated as an intermediate-level knitting project. This difficulty level reflects the skills required to successfully complete the garment, including proficiency with circular needle techniques, raglan shaping, color changes for the stripe pattern, and finishing details such as button bands and neckline edges. Knitters should be comfortable with increasing stitches, managing multiple colors, and working with circular needles before beginning this project.