702 Embla Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Northampton

702 Embla Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women

What is Being Made

The Embla Cardigan is a women's button-front cardigan designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This garment is available in seven sizes, ranging from 30-32" bust measurements up to 54-56" bust measurements, with finished chest measurements from 36" to 60". The cardigan features decorative cable panels and moss stitch detailing, and fastens with six ¾" buttons.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting pattern employs several key techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing you to try on the garment as you progress and easily adjust length if needed.
• Worked flat: The pattern is worked on flat needles rather than in the round, with pieces seamed together at the end for a traditional cardigan construction.
• Cable work: The Embla Panel, a 29-stitch cable pattern approximately 4.5 inches wide, features prominently in the design and appears on both the back and front pieces for visual interest.
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together to create the finished garment.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates a variety of stitches to create texture and structure:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used throughout most of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a gauge of 5 stitches and 7 rows per 1 inch.
• Moss stitch: A textured stitch used in sections between the cable panels, adding visual and tactile variation to the design.
• Ribbing: A knit-purl combination ribbing (k1, p1 alternating) used for the lower edge and cuffs to provide elasticity and a finished appearance.
• Cable stitches: The Embla Panel uses cable techniques with a cable needle to create crossed stitches that form decorative raised patterns.

Materials

The Embla Cardigan is designed to be knitted with worsted-weight yarn. The pattern calls for Valley Yarns Northampton, a 100% wool yarn available in 100-gram skeins with 247 yards per skein. The yardage required varies by size: 5 skeins for the smallest size (30-32"), increasing to 11 skeins for the largest size (54-56"). The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in Brown Heather colorway.

Knitting needles required are US size 7 (4.50mm) 32-inch circular needles, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. Additional materials include stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and cable sections, a cable needle for manipulating stitches in the cable panels, and six ¾-inch buttons for the cardigan front closure.