Water Swirl Cardigan

Water Swirl Cardigan by Asita Krebs

What is Being Made

The Water Swirl Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed by Asita Krebs, featuring a distinctive lace raglan construction. This garment is knitted from the top down in a flat construction method, with elegant swirly lace patterning that extends from the raglan yoke all the way down to the hip. The cardigan incorporates a-line shaping through strategic increases along the body sides, creating a flattering silhouette. The design is intended to be worn with approximately 5cm (2 inches) of positive ease around the upper arm for comfortable wear.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that work together to create its distinctive aesthetic. The top-down construction method allows knitters to try on the garment as they work and easily adjust the length to their preference. The lace raglan is a central design feature, requiring knitters to work lace increases that form the raglan shaping while simultaneously creating the decorative swirl pattern. The edges are finished with a simple classic garter stitch, providing a clean, traditional frame for the more intricate lace work. A-line shaping is achieved through strategic increases positioned along the body sides, creating a gently flared silhouette from the bust down to the hip.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Lace Raglan: The signature swirly lace pattern grows progressively from the yoke, creating visual interest and texture throughout the upper body and torso
• Garter Stitch: Used for the edges to provide structure and a classic finishing detail
• Ribbing: Applied using a smaller needle size to create fitted ribbed sections, typically at cuffs and hem

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Water Swirl Cardigan is designed to be worked in a 4-ply yarn weight, offering versatility in fiber choices while maintaining the intended drape and structure. The sample shown features Balayage by Pascuali, a luxurious blend of 80% baby alpaca and 20% organic merino, worked in colorway 616. This yarn weight provides approximately 175 meters (190 yards) per 50-gram skein. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 1142 to 1796 meters (1248 to 1963 yards) depending on the selected size.

Needles and Gauge

The cardigan requires two circular needles in different sizes to achieve the proper fabric characteristics. A 3.5mm (US4) circular needle measuring 80-100cm (32-40") in length is used for the main body knitting, while a slightly smaller 3.25mm (US3) circular needle of the same length is used for ribbed sections. The recommended gauge is 24 stitches and 34 rows over a 10x10cm (4x4 inch) swatch, which should be checked carefully before beginning the project to ensure proper fit and finished measurements.

Difficulty Level

The Water Swirl Cardigan is classified as a beginner-level knitting project, making it accessible to knitters who are new to garment construction. While the design includes lace patterning and top-down construction, the straightforward techniques and clear structure make it an excellent introduction to cardigan knitting for those building their skills.