Catoctin Cardigan

Catoctin Cardigan by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

The Catoctin Cardigan is a round-neck cardigan featuring a deep lace hem and lace motif running the length of the sleeves. This knit garment is designed as a versatile layering piece suitable for fall through spring wear. The cardigan is available in six sizes, with finished chest measurements ranging from 32 inches to 52 inches, making it adaptable for various body types. The design is named after the Catoctin mountain range in Maryland, reflecting the designer Corrine Walcher's connection to the region where both she and the yarn dyer reside.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to create its distinctive appearance. The construction utilizes circular needle knitting, worked in the round using a 32-inch or longer US #8/5.00mm circular needle for the body. The lace elements are central to the design, with a deep lace hem at the lower edge and lace motifs running vertically along the sleeves. Sleeve shaping is incorporated, with finished sleeve circumferences ranging from 14.75 inches to 20.4 inches depending on size. The pattern requires transitioning to double-pointed needles or a preferred small-circumference knitting method for completing the sleeve caps and upper sections. Finishing techniques include seaming the shoulder seams, with total length from cast-on edge to shoulder seam ranging from 21.5 inches to 27 inches depending on size.

Stitches Used

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, the design prominently features lace stitches as a primary design element. These lace stitches create the decorative deep hem at the cardigan's base and form the vertical motifs along both sleeves. The intermediate difficulty level suggests a combination of fundamental knitting stitches with lace pattern work, which typically incorporates yarn-overs and decreases to create the characteristic openwork design.

Materials

The Catoctin Cardigan is designed to be knit with Flying Goat Farms LiViLy yarn, a 100% Cormo wool fiber. Cormo wool is prized for its softness and squishy texture, making it an ideal choice for a wearable cardigan. The yarn provides 230 yards per 100-gram skein. Yardage requirements vary by size: the four smallest sizes (32–44 inches) require 4 skeins, while the two largest sizes (48–52 inches) require 6 skeins. The sample cardigan in size 44 inches required 1050 yards total and was knit in the Pine Forest colorway. The pattern calls for US #8/5.00mm circular needles (32 inches or longer, with larger sizes potentially benefiting from longer needles) and US #8/5.00mm double-pointed needles or an equivalent method for small-circumference knitting. The yarn weight is classified as worsted, heavy worsted, and aran weight, providing structure and drape suitable for a cardigan silhouette.