Hattie

Hattie Cardigan by Holli Yeoh

What Is Being Made

The Hattie cardigan is a reversible open cardigan designed as a wardrobe staple. This advanced knitting project features a sophisticated construction with no sewing required, making it an elegant and practical layering piece suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Design Features and Construction

This cardigan showcases innovative design elements that elevate it beyond a basic garment. The selvedge edges on the cardigan fronts undulate gracefully, following the curving lines of the stitch pattern to create visual interest and movement. A key feature is the knitted facing that encases the selvedges along the side and armhole seams, providing a polished and finished appearance on both sides of the sweater. This reversible construction means the cardigan looks intentionally designed from every angle, eliminating the need for traditional finishing techniques.

Knitting Techniques

The Hattie cardigan employs advanced knitting techniques suitable for experienced crafters. The reversible design requires careful planning and execution to ensure both sides of the garment are equally polished. The undulating selvedge edges demand precision in stitch placement and tension management. The knitted facing technique used to encase seams represents an intermediate-to-advanced finishing method that creates a professional appearance without traditional sewing, making this project ideal for knitters looking to expand their technical skill set.

Stitches Used

The cardigan features the Hattie Stitch Pattern, which is characterized by curving lines that create the undulating selvedge effect. The pattern is worked using standard knitting stitches in combination to achieve the distinctive textured appearance and shaping throughout the garment.

Yarn and Materials

The Hattie cardigan is knitted using Louet Gems Sport yarn, a 100% Merino fiber with 225 yards per 100 gram skein. This sport weight yarn provides excellent drape and softness ideal for an open cardigan. The sample shown is worked in #80 Medium Grey. Yardage requirements range from 1860 yards (1705 meters) for the smallest size to 3300 yards (3020 meters) for the largest size, accommodating bust measurements from 30 inches to 56 inches (76 to 142 centimeters).

Needles and Notions

This project requires multiple circular needles in different sizes to accommodate various stages of construction. The needle requirements include:

• 3.75 mm (US 5) circular needle, at least 32 inches (80 cm) long
• Two 4 mm (US 6) circular needles, at least 32 inches (80 cm) long each
• 5 mm (US 8) circular needle, at least 24 inches (60 cm) long

The use of multiple needle sizes allows for different gauges and techniques throughout the construction, supporting the advanced nature of this design.

Gauge

The working gauge for the Hattie Stitch Pattern is 22.5 stitches and 34.5 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when measured on 4 mm (US 6) needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and ensuring the reversible design functions as intended.

Size Range and Finished Measurements

The Hattie cardigan is available in six sizes to fit bust measurements of 30, 34, 39, 44, 50, and 56 inches (76, 86.5, 99, 112, 127, and 142 centimeters). The schematic provided in the pattern details finished measurements for each size, allowing knitters to select the appropriate size based on desired fit and ease.

Skill Level

This is an advanced knitting project best suited for experienced knitters with solid foundational skills. The reversible construction, undulating selvedge work, and knitted facing techniques require strong understanding of stitch manipulation, shaping, and finishing methods without traditional sewing.