Florrick

Florrick Seamless Cardigan by Justyna Lorkowska

What Is Being Made

Florrick is a seamless, top-down knit cardigan designed by Justyna Lorkowska in collaboration with The Uncommon Thread. This intermediate-level knitting project features a sophisticated construction with twisted rib cables running across the back and shoulders. The cardigan is available in six sizes ranging from XS to XXL, with finished chest measurements from 75.5 cm (30.25") to 115.5 cm (46.25"). The design is intentionally created to be worn with negative ease, meaning it fits closer to the body than standard measurements would suggest, and this shaping is already incorporated throughout the pattern.

Knitting Techniques and Construction Methods

Florrick employs several advanced knitting techniques that make it suitable for intermediate-level knitters. The cardigan is constructed seamlessly from the top down, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, professional finish. A key technical feature is the use of the contiguous method for shaping set-in sleeves, a technique developed by Susie M. This method allows for precise sleeve cap shaping while maintaining the seamless construction throughout the garment. The twisted rib cables on the back and shoulders add visual interest and textural depth to the design, requiring careful attention to cable crossing and tension.

Stitches and Cable Work

The pattern incorporates twisted rib cables as the primary stitch pattern element, particularly featured on the back and shoulders of the cardigan. These cables are worked within a ribbed background, creating a dynamic interplay between the twisted cable columns and the vertical lines of the rib stitches. The seamless top-down construction uses standard stockinette stitch for the body and sleeves, with the cable and rib patterns strategically placed for visual impact. The pattern includes detailed instructions for the contiguous set-in sleeve shaping method, which involves specific increases and decreases to create a properly fitted armhole and sleeve cap.

Yarn and Materials

Florrick is designed to be knit with The Uncommon Thread Everyday Sport yarn, a sport weight yarn composed of 100% merino wool. Each skein contains 100 grams and yields 330 yards of yardage. Depending on size, the project requires between 3 and 5 skeins total. The sample cardigan shown in the pattern was created in size M using the Olive Leaf colorway. Sport weight yarn is an excellent choice for this design, as it provides enough structure for cable definition while remaining lightweight and breathable for a garment intended to be worn with negative ease.

Needles and Tools Required

The pattern calls for two different needle sizes to create proper gauge and fabric characteristics. 3.5 mm (US #4) needles are used for the main body and sleeves, available in both 60 cm (24") circular and double-pointed needle formats. 3.0 mm (US #2.5) needles, which are two sizes smaller, are used for ribbed edgings and cuffs to create a tighter, more elastic finish. Both needle sizes should be selected based on achieving the correct gauge as specified in the pattern. Additional tools include 2 cable needles for managing the twisted rib cable stitches and 10 buttons, each approximately 1 cm (0.5") in diameter, for the cardigan front closure.

Pattern Details and Sizing

The Florrick pattern provides six size options: XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL. The finished chest measurements accommodate a wide range of body sizes, from 75.5 cm to 115.5 cm. A detailed schematic is included on page 2 of the pattern to help knitters verify all measurements before beginning. The sample shown in the pattern photographs is knit in size M on a 90 cm (36") bust, providing a clear visual reference for how the negative ease shaping affects the final fit of the garment.