Innisfil

Innisfil Cardigan by Laura Chau

What is Being Made

The Innisfil is a chunky cabled cardigan designed as a cozy, warm layering piece perfect for winter or fall wear. This cardigan features a longer length with a deep, snuggly ribbed collar and large statement buttons, creating a garment that combines comfort with visual impact. The design is intended to be flattering and easy to wear, suitable as a heavy winter layer or fall jacket.

Construction Method

Innisfil is worked seamlessly from the bottom up using a top-down construction approach. The cardigan features full-length sleeves that are knit in the round, eliminating the need for seaming. Raglan shaping is incorporated throughout the piece to create a comfortable fit across the shoulders and upper body. The garment includes garter rib side panels and ribbed buttonbands for both structural integrity and visual definition.

Stitch Techniques and Details

The signature design element of Innisfil is the large-scale Baroque Cable panel, which serves as the focal point and delivers significant visual impact. This cable panel is described as fun to knit, making it an engaging feature for intermediate-level knitters. The cardigan incorporates ribbed construction in multiple areas, including the deep collar and buttonbands, which provide stretch and a finished appearance. Garter rib side panels add textural interest while maintaining structure along the sides of the garment.

Fit and Sizing

Innisfil is designed to be worn with zero or positive ease, offering 0-3 inches (0-7.5 centimeters) of design ease. For a close fit as shown in the sample, knitters should select the bust size closest to their high bust measurement, taken just below the underarms. For a looser, more relaxed fit, choosing one size up is recommended. The longer length and fully fashioned waist shaping contribute to a flattering silhouette suitable for various body types.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Innisfil is designed to be worked in worsted weight yarn. The sample shown was knitted in Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes, a premium yarn blend consisting of 50% royal alpaca and 50% merino wool. This yarn is worked at a yardage of 100 yards per 3.5 ounces (91 meters per 100 grams) per skein. The sample cardigan was completed in colorway 2003 Ecru. The combination of alpaca and merino creates a soft, warm, and durable fabric ideal for a cozy cardigan.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The seamless construction, raglan shaping, and cable panel work require solid foundational skills, though the straightforward bottom-up approach and detailed instructions support successful completion by intermediate-level crafters.

Format

Innisfil is available as a downloadable PDF pattern, allowing immediate access to the complete instructions and any accompanying charts or schematics needed for construction.