Summer's day

Summer's Day Cardigan by Ashley Knowlton

What is Being Made

Summer's Day is an advanced knitting cardigan pattern designed by Ashley Knowlton. This garment features overlapping front lace panels and is available in nine sizes, with finished bust measurements ranging from 33.75 inches (85.5 cm) to 67 inches (170 cm). The cardigan is engineered to fit bust sizes from 28–30 inches (71–76 cm) through 60–62 inches (152–157.5 cm), making it a versatile pattern suitable for a wide range of body types.

Construction Technique

The Summer's Day cardigan is constructed as a seamless, one-piece garment worked flat in rows using circular needles. This construction method allows the knitter to work the back and fronts continuously without requiring seaming, which creates a professional finish and reduces finishing time. The overlapping front lace panels are an integral design element that adds visual interest and sophistication to the finished piece.

Knitting Stitches and Stitch Work

This advanced-level pattern incorporates lace stitchwork, particularly in the front panels where the overlapping design creates an elegant, openwork aesthetic. Lace knitting requires careful attention to yarn overs and decreases to create the characteristic holes and texture that define this stitch category. The combination of lace elements with the structured body of the cardigan demonstrates intermediate to advanced technical skill.

Yarn and Materials

Yarn Weight and Yardage: The pattern calls for 920 to 2200 yards (840 to 2010 meters) of heavy fingering, sport, or DK weight yarn, depending on the size being knitted. The sample cardigan shown in the pattern is knitted in Fyberspates Scrumptious 4ply/Sport Superwash in the Gold colorway. This yarn is a superwash-treated wool blend that provides durability and easy care, with each 100-gram skein yielding 400 yards (366 meters).

Needles and Notions: The pattern specifies US 6 (4mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches (80 cm) or longer as the primary needles for working the body of the cardigan. A set of five US 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles (dpns) is listed as optional equipment, typically used for working sleeves in the round if the knitter prefers that construction method. Additionally, US 8 (5mm) circular needles, 32 inches (80 cm) long, are mentioned in the construction notes, suggesting their use for specific sections such as ribbing or edgings.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, reflecting the complexity of the lace stitch work and the seamless construction technique. Knitters undertaking this project should have solid experience with lace knitting, comfortable familiarity with circular needle techniques, and the ability to read and follow detailed stitch patterns. The overlapping front panels require precise shaping and stitch placement to achieve the intended design.