Aiolos

Aiolos Fingering Weight Cardigan by Hanna Maciejewska

What Is Being Made

Aiolos is a contemporary fingering weight cardigan designed by Hanna Maciejewska. This knitted garment features distinctive lace insets positioned around the shoulder and across the back, creating visual interest and texture variation. The cardigan is designed for versatility, suitable for both casual everyday wear and dressier occasions. The front openings are sloped forward, giving the garment a modern, tailored silhouette that sets it apart from traditional cardigan designs.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project incorporates multiple techniques to achieve its sophisticated appearance. The primary construction uses stockinette stitch for the main body of the cardigan, while decorative lace insets are strategically placed to create focal points around the shoulders and back. The combination of solid knit sections with openwork lace sections requires knitters to work with two different yarns simultaneously or switch between them during construction, adding complexity and visual dimension to the finished piece.

The sloped forward front openings are a design feature that requires shaping techniques, demonstrating intermediate-level construction skills. This angled opening creates a contemporary aesthetic while maintaining the structural integrity of the garment.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace work. Stockinette stitch forms the foundation of the main body sections, while the lace insets utilize openwork stitches that create decorative patterns through strategic yarn overs and decreases. These lace sections provide breathability and visual interest while maintaining the garment's wearability.

Gauge and Yarn Specifications

Aiolos is worked at a consistent gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches, applied to both the main color and the lace inset color sections. This gauge is typical for fingering weight yarn, which ranges from 3-ply to 4-ply construction.

The sample cardigan was knitted using Malabrigo Sock for the main body color and Quince & Co. Finch for the lace insets. Both yarns are worked at the same gauge, allowing for seamless integration of the two colors and textures throughout the design. The choice of two complementary fingering weight yarns allows knitters to experiment with endless color and texture combinations while maintaining consistent fabric properties.

Yarn Weight and Needle Requirements

This pattern is designed for fingering weight yarn, available in both 3-ply and 4-ply constructions. Fingering weight yarn is one of the finer yarn weights used in knitting, requiring smaller needles and producing a delicate, refined fabric suitable for garments with intricate stitch work and lace details. The finer yarn weight allows the lace insets to display their openwork patterns clearly while creating a lightweight cardigan appropriate for layering.

Skill Level

Aiolos is rated as an intermediate knitting project. Knitters should be comfortable with basic knitting techniques including stockinette stitch, shaping through increases and decreases, and reading knitting patterns. The addition of lace work and the coordination of two different yarns elevates this project beyond beginner level, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to expand their skills.