Wonder Woman cardigan

Wonder Woman Cardigan by Kelly Spenhoff

What is Being Made

The Wonder Woman cardigan is an advanced-level knitted garment designed by Kelly Spenhoff, available in women's sizes from small through 5X. This cardigan features a classic fit with finished bust measurements ranging from 33 inches (82.5 cm) in the smallest size to 59.5 inches (148.75 cm) in the largest size, and lengths spanning from 24.5 inches (61.25 cm) to 29 inches (72.5 cm) depending on the size selected. The design incorporates iconic color work inspired by the Wonder Woman character, utilizing four distinct yarn colors to create its distinctive visual impact.

Knitting Techniques and Skills Required

This advanced knitting project demands a comprehensive skill set from the crafter. The construction requires proficiency in multiple essential techniques:

• Knitting in the round: A fundamental technique for creating seamless cylindrical sections of the garment
• Stranded color work: The primary decorative technique used to create the Wonder Woman pattern, requiring the knitter to manage multiple yarn colors simultaneously while maintaining consistent tension
• Pick up and knit stitches: Essential for attaching ribbing, borders, and other components to existing knitted fabric
• Increase techniques: Both M1R (make one right) and M1L (make one left) increases are utilized for shaping the garment
• Decrease techniques: K2tog (knit two together), P2tog (purl two together), and SSK (slip, slip, knit) decreases are employed for garment shaping and pattern work
• SSP (slip, slip, purl): A specialized decrease used in specific sections of the design

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The cardigan is primarily worked in stockinette stitch (st st), which provides a smooth, classic fabric base ideal for displaying stranded color work. The gauge is set at 28 stitches and 36 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) when working stockinette stitch knit flat. The stranded color work creates the Wonder Woman pattern throughout the design, requiring careful attention to color placement and yarn management to achieve the intended visual effect.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn Requirements: This project uses four distinct yarn colors in a 4-ply weight. The main color (MC) in red requires between 475 and 900 yards (435 to 823 meters) depending on size. The contrast colors are distributed as follows: CC1 (yellow) requires 200 to 350 yards (183 to 320 meters); CC2 (blue) requires 200 to 350 yards (183 to 320 meters); and CC3 (white) requires 90 to 175 yards (83 to 160 meters). The sample cardigan was knitted using Knit Picks yarns, specifically Hawthorne Kettle Dye in Picnic (red), Compass (yellow), and Delphinium (blue), with Knit Picks Stroll in white for the CC3 color.

Needle Requirements: The pattern calls for US 4 circular needles in 32-inch length along with matching double-pointed needles (dpns), or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge. Additionally, US 3 circular needles in 32-inch length and corresponding dpns are required, sized one size smaller than the gauge needles, typically for ribbing and edging work. The use of both circular needles and dpns accommodates the knitting in the round construction method.

Additional Notions and Supplies

Beyond yarn and needles, the project requires stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction sections during knitting in the round, as well as stitch holders or waste yarn for temporarily securing stitches during garment assembly and finishing.