Laurel

Laurel Cardigan by Rebecca Hill

What is Being Made

Laurel is an advanced-level knitted cardigan pattern designed by Rebecca Hill and published by Must.Knit.Faster in 2014. This garment is available in six sizes ranging from Small through 3X-Large, with finished bust measurements of 34 inches (86 cm) for the smallest size up to 54 inches (137 cm) for the largest size. The cardigan is worked using circular needles and features cable stitch details that create visual interest and texture throughout the design.

Techniques Used

The Laurel cardigan employs several advanced knitting techniques that contribute to its classification as an advanced-difficulty project. The pattern incorporates cable work, which requires the use of a cable needle to manipulate stitches and create twisted, rope-like textures. The design features three distinct cable crossing techniques that knitters must master to complete the garment successfully.

• Single Backcross (Sbc): This technique involves slipping one stitch to a cable needle and holding it to the back, knitting the next stitch, then purling the stitch from the cable needle. This creates a mixed knit-and-purl cable effect.
• Backcross (Bck): A knit-based cable cross executed by slipping one stitch to a cable needle, holding it to the back, knitting the next stitches, then knitting the stitch from the cable needle.
• Frontcross (Fck): This technique involves slipping two stitches to a cable needle and holding them to the front, knitting the next stitch, then knitting the stitches from the cable needle.

The cardigan is worked on circular needles and uses stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping. The pattern also calls for blocking to achieve proper finished measurements and appearance.

Stitches Used

The Laurel cardigan is constructed primarily using fundamental knitting stitches combined with the cable techniques described above. The main stitch pattern is seed stitch, which creates a textured, bumpy fabric by alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard-like pattern. Seed stitch is worked over the gauge swatch used to ensure proper fit and fabric characteristics.

• Knit (K): The basic knit stitch forms the foundation of the fabric.
• Purl (P): The purl stitch is combined with knit stitches to create the seed stitch texture and is also used in the single backcross cable technique.
• Seed Stitch: Created by alternating knit and purl stitches, this stitch provides texture and visual interest throughout the cardigan.

Materials and Gauge

The Laurel cardigan is designed to be knitted with Shalimar Yarns Equus, a 100% Merino wool yarn. The yardage requirement is 200 yards per 183 meters per skein, with the pattern requiring between 5 and 8 skeins depending on the finished size selected. The sample cardigan shown in the pattern is worked in the Sonoma colorway.

The recommended needles are US 9/5.5mm circular needles, 32 inches or longer in length, along with one US 9/5.5mm double-pointed needle and a cable needle for executing the cable techniques. Knitters will also need eight stitch markers, with two being a different color or style to distinguish them from the others, plus scrap yarn for any necessary adjustments.

The gauge for this pattern is 12 stitches and 24 rows of seed stitch measured over a 4-inch (10 cm) square when lightly blocked. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the proper finished measurements in all six sizes.