Forest Green

Forest Green Cardigan by Sarah Hatton

What is Being Made

The Forest Green Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed by Sarah Hatton, available as a downloadable PDF pattern. This garment is crafted to fit bust measurements ranging from 32-34 inches (81-86 cm) up to 48-50 inches (121-127 cm), making it suitable for multiple sizes. The cardigan features a full length of 66-74 cm depending on size, with sleeve lengths of approximately 44-45 cm. When laid flat, the actual width ranges from 48 cm in the smallest size to 72 cm in the largest size.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several classic knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure. The pattern incorporates lace elements through strategic yarn overs and decreases, which create openwork sections throughout the garment. The design uses slip stitch techniques for shaping and texture, including slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (sl1, k1, psso) and slip 2 stitches, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over (sl2, k1, p2sso) decreases. These techniques work in combination with yarn overs (yo) to produce a balanced, decorative lace pattern.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Forest Green Cardigan utilizes a range of fundamental and decorative stitches. The pattern incorporates knit stitches (k), purl stitches (p), and yarn overs (yo) as foundational elements. Shaping and texture are achieved through knit two together (k2tog) decreases and slip stitch decreases (sl1, k1, psso and sl2, k1, p2sso). The stitch pattern features repeating sections marked with asterisks, indicating motifs that are worked across multiple stitches and rows. The pattern includes both right-side rows and wrong-side rows, with alternating rows providing the structure for the lace design. Ribbed edgings are created using alternating knit and purl stitches (k1, p1), which appear at the borders and cuffs to provide elasticity and definition.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Forest Green Cardigan is designed to be worked in Rowan Softyak DK yarn, which is a DK weight yarn suitable for this intermediate project. DK weight yarn creates a fabric with good drape and definition, making it ideal for displaying the lace stitch patterns and shaping details of this cardigan design. While the specific needle size is not detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, DK weight yarns typically work well with needles in the US 3-6 range, though the complete pattern would specify the exact needle requirements for achieving the correct gauge and finished measurements.