Carabe

Carabe Striped Cardigan by Justyna Lorkowska

What is Being Made

Carabe is a seamless striped cardigan designed for a close fit, intended to be worn with little or no positive ease. This top-down knit cardigan features contrasting color stripes throughout the body and sleeves, creating a classic yet contemporary design. The pattern is available in six sizes ranging from XS to XXL, with finished chest measurements from 70/75 cm (28/30 inches) for XS up to 120/125 cm (48/50 inches) for XXL.

Knitting Techniques and Construction Methods

Carabe employs a seamless top-down construction, meaning the cardigan is knit in one piece beginning at the neckline and working downward toward the hem. This method eliminates the need for seaming, creating a more polished and professional finished garment.

The pattern utilizes the contiguous method of shaping set-in sleeves, a technique developed by Suzie M. This advanced shaping method allows for smooth, fitted armhole and sleeve cap construction while maintaining the seamless nature of the garment. The contiguous method integrates sleeve shaping directly into the body knitting without interruption, resulting in a garment with excellent fit and drape.

The striped colorwork is achieved through stranded knitting or color changes worked in stockinette stitch, alternating between a main color (MC) and contrasting color (CC) to create the distinctive striped pattern throughout.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used in Carabe is stockinette stitch, which creates the smooth, classic fabric base for this cardigan. The striping is incorporated by changing yarn colors at regular intervals while continuing to work in stockinette stitch, allowing the horizontal stripes to develop naturally as rows are completed.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn Weight and Fiber Content: Carabe is designed for worsted weight yarn. The sample cardigan shown in the pattern was knit using Malabrigo Rios, a 100% merino wool yarn. Each skein of Malabrigo Rios contains 100 grams and yields 210 yards of yardage.

Yardage Requirements: Total yardage needed varies by size. Size XS requires 830 meters (900 yards) total, divided between main color and contrasting color. Size S requires 915 meters (1000 yards). Size M requires 960 meters (1050 yards). Size L requires 1150 meters (1250 yards). Size XL requires 1325 meters (1450 yards). Size XXL requires 1460 meters (1600 yards). The pattern recommends purchasing an additional skein of main color yarn if you are tall and typically lengthen your garments.

Sample Colorway: The cardigan pictured in the pattern was knit in Malabrigo Rios colorway 37 Lettuce as the main color (MC) and colorway 150 Azul Profundo as the contrasting color (CC).

Yarn Alternatives: The pattern provides recommendations for other compatible worsted weight yarns, including Madelinetosh Vintage, Colour Adventures Dia Worsted, and The Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted. Any worsted weight yarn with similar yardage and fiber characteristics can be substituted.

Needles: Specific needle size information is referenced within the full pattern document to achieve proper gauge with worsted weight yarn.

Difficulty Level

Carabe is classified as a beginner-friendly knitting pattern, making it accessible to knitters new to cardigan construction. However, the seamless top-down construction and set-in sleeve shaping represent intermediate techniques, so this pattern is well-suited for knitters with some foundational experience in basic stitches and garment assembly.