Homegrown

Homegrown Cardigan by Melissa Schaschwary

Project Overview

Homegrown is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Melissa Schaschwary. This top-down construction cardigan features a distinctive collar that serves as the foundation for the entire garment, with raglan shaping and ribbed front sections worked seamlessly in one piece.

What Is Being Made

A knitted cardigan with a structured collar, raglan sleeves, and ribbed front closure. The garment is constructed from the top down, beginning with the collar piece and progressing downward to create the body and sleeves in a single continuous knitting project.

Construction Method

The Homegrown cardigan uses a top-down construction technique. The knitter begins by working the collar as an independent piece. Once the collar is completed, stitches are picked up along the bottom edge of the collar, and the raglan shaping is established at this point. The sweater body and sleeves are then worked downward in one continuous piece, with ribbed sections forming the front opening of the cardigan.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

• Stockinette Stitch: Used for the main body of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Ribbed Pattern: Applied to the border and front sections for structure and stretch
• Raglan Shaping: Decreases worked to create the characteristic diagonal lines from the underarm to the neckline
• Stitch Pickup: Stitches are picked up along the collar edge to transition into the body construction
• Circular Knitting: The garment is worked in the round using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming

Gauge and Sizing

The cardigan is designed to fit bust sizes ranging from 30 inches (76 cm) to 50 inches (127 cm). Gauge is critical for proper fit and is measured over stockinette stitch in the body at 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 cm). The ribbed border sections are worked at a slightly different gauge of 21 stitches and 23 rows over 4 inches (10 cm). Achieving the correct gauge ensures the cardigan will fit as intended across all size options.

Yarn and Materials

Homegrown is designed for DK weight yarn (8 ply), such as Swing by LushMommy. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 760 yards (695 meters) for the smallest size up to 1,683 yards (1,538 meters) for the largest size. Each skein of the recommended yarn contains 231 yards (211 meters).

Needles and Notions

• Primary Needles: US 9/5.5 mm circular knitting needles, 24 inches long, for working the body and sleeves in the round
• Secondary Needles: US 6/4 mm circular knitting needles or 4 double-pointed needles (dpns) for working ribbed sections and cuffs, or magic loop method as an alternative
• Additional Notions: 4 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, plus 2 distinguishable stitch markers for identifying key sections; a darning needle for weaving in ends

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with some experience. The top-down raglan construction, stitch pickup technique, and gauge management require solid foundational knitting skills, though the straightforward stockinette and ribbed stitches keep the project accessible for those ready to advance beyond beginner patterns.