Strrripes

Strrripes Top-Down Cardigan by Åsa Tricosa

What Is Being Made

Strrripes is a tailored cardigan featuring waist shaping combined with a relaxed fit. This top-down design is knitted seamlessly in one continuous piece, eliminating the need for seaming and minimizing finishing work. The cardigan includes integrated front bands worked as part of the main construction, and set-in sleeves knitted in the round from cap to cuff. The design is available in ten sizes ranging from 81 cm (32 inches) to 127 cm (50 inches) in finished bust circumference.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that create its polished appearance and comfortable fit. The top-down construction method allows knitters to begin at the neckline and work downward, providing flexibility for fit adjustments before committing to the full yardage. The waist shaping is integrated into the body shaping, creating a tailored silhouette while maintaining the relaxed drape characteristic of the design. Set-in sleeves are worked in the round from the cap down to the cuff, a technique that provides a professional finish and proper sleeve cap shaping. The seamless construction throughout means all pieces are connected during knitting rather than assembled afterward, resulting in a garment with minimal seams and fewer ends to weave in upon completion.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

While specific stitch patterns are not detailed in the provided information, the Strrripes cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for 4-ply yarn construction. The colorwork element suggested by the yarn color options (Envy green and Orion blue) indicates the design likely incorporates striping or color pattern work throughout the garment. The front bands are worked as an integral part of the main fabric rather than picked up and worked separately, streamlining the construction process.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Strrripes is designed for 4-ply weight yarn. The pattern specifies The Uncommon Thread BFL Sock, a wool yarn that yields 400 meters (437 yards) per 100 grams. Yardage requirements vary by size: main color requires between 630 and 960 meters (690 to 1,040 yards) depending on size, while contrast color requires between 550 and 820 meters (590 to 900 yards). The pattern recommends 2 to 3 skeins of main color and 2 to 3 skeins of contrast color depending on the finished size selected.

Knitting needles specified include 3 mm (US 2½) circular needles in 80 to 100 cm (32 to 40 inch) length for the main body work, and 2.5 mm (US) circular needles for ribbed sections. The pattern notes that any 4-ply or fingering-weight yarn that knits to gauge is suitable as an alternative to the specified yarn, offering flexibility in fiber choice while maintaining the intended garment proportions and drape.