Fences Cardigan

Fences Cardigan by Iman Handmade

Garment Overview

The Fences Cardigan is a knitted cardigan sweater designed for toddlers, specifically sized to fit a child aged 3 years. This advanced-level knitting project creates a finished garment with a chest measurement of 64 cm, back length of 41 cm, and sleeve length of 32 cm. The design is crafted using super chunky yarn, making it an efficient project despite its advanced difficulty rating.

Yarn and Materials

This cardigan requires 6 balls of Alize Superlana MAXI yarn in dark red. The yarn composition is 75% acrylic and 25% wool, with each ball weighing 100g and providing 100 meters of yardage. The super chunky weight of this yarn allows for relatively quick knitting progress while creating a warm, substantial fabric suitable for toddler wear.

The pattern calls for 7 mm and 8 mm knitting needles, available in either straight or circular configurations. The needle size flexibility allows knitters to choose their preferred working method, whether using traditional straight needles or the versatility of circular needles.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Fences Cardigan employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for an advanced-level project. The primary stitch used throughout the garment is Stockinette stitch, which is created by knitting on the right side of the piece and purling on the wrong side to produce the classic smooth, V-patterned fabric.

• Ribbing: The pattern begins with a 1x1 ribbed edge, created by alternating knit and purl stitches. This elastic ribbing provides structure and helps the garment maintain its shape.
• Increases: The pattern incorporates increase techniques including Kfb (knit front and back) and Pfb (purl front and back), each adding one stitch to the working row. These increases are essential for shaping the garment's body and sleeves.
• Stitch Abbreviations: Standard knitting abbreviations are used throughout, including St/Sts (stitch/stitches), RS/WS (right side/wrong side), K (knit), P (purl), and St st (Stockinette stitch).

Gauge and Construction

The pattern specifies a tension of 12 stitches and 18 rows equaling 10 cm by 10 cm when worked in Stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is critical for this project to ensure the finished cardigan meets the intended measurements for the toddler sizing.

The back and front pieces are constructed separately, beginning with casting on 73 stitches using 7 mm needles. The foundation rows establish a 1x1 ribbed pattern before transitioning to the main Stockinette stitch fabric. The advanced difficulty of this project likely involves managing shaping increases, armhole decreases, and proper sleeve cap construction to achieve the professional fit indicated by the precise measurements provided.