Gyda's Braids

Gyda's Braids Cardigan by Renée Callahan

What Is Being Made

Gyda's Braids is a luxurious warm-layer cardigan designed by independent knitwear designer Renée Callahan. Named after the legendary Viking Queen, this garment is a sophisticated top-down construction cardigan featuring prominent twisting cable details throughout. The design is crafted from premium Woolfolk Tov yarn in a medium grey colourway, making it an elegant layering piece suitable for advanced knitters seeking a challenging and rewarding project.

Construction Method

This cardigan employs a top-down construction technique, beginning with just three stitches that grow seamlessly across the back and front sections. The garment features knit-as-you-go button bands, eliminating the need for separate finishing steps. This method allows for customization of fit and length as the knitter progresses, and the seamless construction creates a polished, professional finish without requiring seaming.

Stitches and Cable Techniques

The design showcases advanced cable work as its signature feature. The primary cable stitches employed include:

• 2/2 RC (Right Cable): Slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold to the back, knit 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle, creating a rightward-leaning twist
• 2/2 LC (Left Cable): Slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold to the front, knit 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle, creating a leftward-leaning twist

Additional stitches include basic knit and purl stitches for the stockinette background, knit-2-together decreases for shaping, and standard abbreviations for round construction. The cable patterns create the distinctive braided texture that defines this cardigan's visual appeal.

Yarn and Materials

Gyda's Braids is designed specifically for Woolfolk Tov, a premium yarn composed of 100% extra fine merino wool. Each 100-gram skein yields 158 metres or 173 yards. The pattern requires 7, 8, 10, or 12 skeins depending on size, totaling approximately 640 to 1130 grams and 1010 to 1955 yards of yarn. The medium grey colourway (T02) provides a neutral, versatile base that showcases the cable texture beautifully. For knitters substituting alternative yarns, approximately 1010 to 1955 yards of Aran-weight or heavy worsted-weight yarn will be needed.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for 4.5 mm/US 7 needles (or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge) in a long circular needle format. Long circular needles are essential for accommodating the growing width of the cardigan during top-down construction and for managing the knit-as-you-go button bands.

Difficulty Level

This is an advanced-level knitting project designed for experienced knitters. The complexity stems from the cable work, top-down seamless construction, and the integration of button bands worked simultaneously with the main garment. Knitters should be comfortable with cable techniques, reading complex stitch patterns, and managing multiple stitches on circular needles.

Format

Gyda's Braids is available as a downloadable PDF pattern, allowing immediate access to the complete instructions and stitch charts for this independent designer creation.