Nakiska Cardigan

Nakiska Cardigan by Corrine Walcher

What Is Being Made

The Nakiska Cardigan is a cabled, top-down raglan cardigan designed by Corrine Walcher. This knitted garment features mirrored cable patterns on the back, sleeves, and side seams that evoke the winding paths skiers take down a mountain. The design was created as a personal challenge during the 2018 Ravellenics Games, which coincided with the 2018 Winter Olympics. The cardigan is available in six sizes, ranging from 32 inches to 52 inches in finished chest circumference, with lengths from 14 inches to 17 inches.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that define its construction and aesthetic:

• Top-down raglan construction: The cardigan is worked from the neckline downward, with raglan shaping that creates seamless armholes and a natural fit
• Cable knitting: Mirrored cables run throughout the design, creating visual interest and a sophisticated texture
• Integrated button band: The button band is worked directly into the cardigan fronts as you knit, eliminating the need for finishing or seaming
• Circular knitting: The garment is worked in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless construction and easier management of stitches

Stitches Used

While the pattern name emphasizes cables as the primary stitch feature, the Nakiska Cardigan combines cable stitches with foundational knitting techniques. The cables are strategically placed and mirrored across multiple sections of the garment—the back, sleeves, and side seams—to create a cohesive design that references the alpine skiing theme. The integration of cables with standard knit and purl stitches creates depth and visual movement throughout the cardigan.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Nakiska Cardigan is designed to be worked in DK to worsted weight yarn. The pattern calls for Dragonfly Fibers Traveler, which is 100% Superwash Merino wool with a yardage of 280 yards per 113-gram skein. Depending on size, you will need between 4 and 6 skeins of yarn. The sample cardigan shown in the pattern was knitted in the colorway Dragonberry.

For needles, the pattern specifies a US #4 (3.25mm) circular needle measuring 32 inches in length. This needle size is appropriate for the DK to worsted weight yarn and allows for comfortable top-down raglan construction.

Difficulty Level

The Nakiska Cardigan is rated as an intermediate knitting project. This difficulty level reflects the combination of cable work, top-down raglan shaping, and the need to manage multiple pattern repeats across different sections of the garment. Knitters should have experience with cable stitches and be comfortable working in the round before attempting this design.