Supporter Duster in Viking Of Norway Alpaca Storm - UK-2307-3 - Downloadable PDF

Supporter Duster Cardigan by Turid Stapnes

What is Being Made

The Supporter Duster is a long, flowing cardigan-style garment designed by Turid Stapnes for Viking of Norway. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a duster-length cardigan available in five sizes ranging from extra-small to extra-large, with a finished whole length of 122 to 130 centimeters (48 to 51¼ inches). The garment features a generous circumference of 98 to 142 centimeters (38½ to 56 inches) across the bust, making it a relaxed, comfortable fit suitable for layering.

Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques commonly used in modern cardigan construction. The garment is worked using the yoke method, a popular top-down approach where the yoke is knitted first, then stitches are distributed to the body and sleeves. The pattern utilizes circular needles for working in the round, which allows for seamless construction and efficient stitch management across large stitch counts. The yoke features raglan shaping, indicated by the placement of markers at all four joins (the two armholes and the two shoulder seams) where decreases are worked simultaneously to create the characteristic sloped raglan sleeve cap. The sleeves are worked in the round as well, with cast-off stitches under each sleeve (12 stitches total, 6 on each side of the marker) to create the armhole opening. The pattern uses diagram instructions to guide stitch placement and pattern repeats throughout the yoke and body sections.

Stitches Used

While the full stitch details are referenced through the pattern diagrams, the construction indicates the use of stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, with decreases worked at regular intervals for raglan shaping. The pattern employs circular knitting techniques, working in continuous rounds rather than flat rows for much of the garment. Stitch counts progress from 312 to 456 stitches in the round depending on size, demonstrating the systematic increases and decreases required for proper garment shaping.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Supporter Duster is designed to be worked in Alpaca Storm, a luxurious yarn blend from Viking of Norway. This yarn combines 40% Superfine Alpaca, 40% Merino Wool, and 20% other fibers, creating a soft, breathable fabric with excellent drape and warmth. The yarn is classified as DK weight (double knitting), a versatile weight that produces a fabric with good stitch definition while remaining lightweight enough for a flowing duster garment. The pattern calls for 4 millimeter circular needles for working the yoke and body sections in the round, with the specific needle size chosen to achieve the proper gauge with the Alpaca Storm yarn and create the intended fabric characteristics for this intermediate-level project.