Marina

Marina Cabled Cardigan by Rita Maassen

What is Being Made

Marina is a women's cabled cardigan designed by Rita Maassen, available in five sizes ranging from XS to XL with finished bust circumferences of 38 to 53 inches (96 to 134 cm). This cardigan is designed to fit with 5 to 6 inches (12 to 16 cm) of positive ease at the bust, providing a comfortable, slightly relaxed fit. The garment features cable knit detailing as its signature design element.

Knitting Techniques

Marina employs cable knitting as its primary decorative technique. Cable knitting involves crossing groups of stitches over one another to create twisted, rope-like textures that add visual interest and dimension to the fabric. This intermediate-level technique requires careful stitch manipulation and attention to cable crossing points throughout the pattern. The cardigan construction likely incorporates standard cardigan shaping techniques including increases for sleeve cap shaping, waist shaping if applicable, and button band finishing.

Stitches Used

While the complete stitch list is not fully detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, the Marina cardigan is built on cable stitches as the primary stitch pattern. Cable work typically combines knit and purl stitches in structured arrangements, with cable crosses created by slipping stitches to a cable needle, working additional stitches, then returning to work the held stitches. The pattern would include ribbing for cuffs, waistbands, and button bands, which are typically worked in knit and purl combinations to create elastic, finished edges.

Materials and Yarn

Marina is designed to be knitted with BC Garn "Semilla Melange", a sport-weight yarn composed of 100% pure wool. This yarn provides 191 yards (175 meters) per 50-gram skein. The yardage requirements vary by size: XS requires 8 skeins, S requires 9 skeins, M requires 10 skeins, L requires 11 skeins, and XL requires 13 skeins. The pattern sample shown is knitted in stone grey (color #SM03). Sport-weight yarn creates a fabric with good drape and stitch definition, making it ideal for displaying cable work clearly.

Needles and Tools

The Marina pattern calls for US size 4 and US size 6 needles. The size 4 needles are typically used for ribbed edgings and cuffs to create a tighter, more elastic fabric, while the larger size 6 needles are used for the main body to achieve the intended gauge and fabric drape. Cable knitting requires a cable needle for manipulating stitches during cable crosses.

Difficulty Level

Marina is rated as an intermediate-level knitting project. This difficulty assessment reflects the cable knitting techniques required throughout the garment. Knitters should be comfortable with basic shaping, reading cable charts, managing multiple stitch types, and executing cable crosses accurately. The intermediate rating suggests this is suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic stockinette stitch projects.

Design Details

As a cardigan, Marina includes button bands and likely features a front opening closure. The cable detailing serves as the primary visual design element, creating texture and visual interest across the body and sleeves. The inclusion of schematics at the end of the pattern provides detailed measurements for all sizes, allowing knitters to verify fit before committing yarn to the project.