Nimiane

Nimiane Cardigan by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

Nimiane is a delicately cabled, top-down raglan cardigan designed by Corrine Walcher. This intermediate-level knitting project features intricate cable work as its defining design element. The cardigan is named after Nimiane, the Arthurian Lady of the Lake, and comes in six finished sizes ranging from 32 inches to 52 inches chest circumference. The design includes optional waist shaping instructions for a customized fit, and the button band is integrated directly into the front panels, eliminating the need for separate finishing work.

Construction Techniques

Nimiane is constructed using the top-down raglan method, a popular technique in modern knitting that allows knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and adjust fit easily. The cardigan is worked in the round from the neckline downward, with raglan increases shaping the sleeves and body simultaneously. The integrated button band is worked as part of the front panels during construction, streamlining the finishing process and creating a polished, professional appearance without additional seaming or band pickup work.

Cable and Stitch Work

The primary design feature of Nimiane is its intricate cable pattern. A complex cable runs down the center back of the cardigan, creating vertical visual interest and texture. Reflected versions of this same cable pattern appear on both sleeves, creating a cohesive and symmetrical design. Cable stitches require crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle, a technique that adds depth and dimension to the finished fabric. This cabled construction contributes to the intermediate difficulty rating of the pattern.

Yarn and Materials

Nimiane is designed to be worked in Avalon Springs Farm Pendragon Sport yarn, a 100% superwash merino fiber. Sport weight yarn is a lightweight option that falls between fingering and DK weights, making it ideal for garments with detailed stitch definition like cables. The yardage requirement ranges from 1,170 yards for the smallest size (3 skeins of 390 yards each) to 2,340 yards for the largest size (6 skeins). The sample shown was worked in the Lightning colorway. The superwash treatment makes this yarn suitable for easy care and frequent washing.

Needles and Tools

Construction requires US #3/3.25mm circular needles measuring at least 32 inches in length, with larger sizes benefiting from even longer needles to accommodate the increased stitch count. Additionally, US #3/3.25mm double-pointed needles or the knitter's preferred method for small circumference knitting in the round are needed for working the sleeves and other sections that become too small for circular needles as the garment progresses. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable stitches that define this design.

Finished Dimensions

• Chest circumference: 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, or 52 inches
• Sleeve circumference: 12.75, 13.75, 14.5, 16.25, 17, or 17.75 inches
• Length: 14, 14.5, 15, 16, 16.5, or 17 inches

Skill Level

Nimiane is rated as an intermediate knitting project. While top-down raglan construction is relatively straightforward, the intricate cable patterns and the need to manage multiple stitch patterns simultaneously require solid foundational knitting skills. Knitters should be comfortable with cable techniques, reading stitch patterns, and working in the round before attempting this design.