Winter Nights

Winter Nights Cardigan by Shannon Larson

What is Being Made

Winter Nights is a beginner-friendly knitted cardigan designed by Shannon Larson of Justlivin Designs. This garment is specifically engineered as a snuggly, open-front cardigan that maintains its fit throughout extended wear during winter months. The design features a boxy construction that prevents the garment from slipping off the shoulders, making it an ideal layering piece for cold-weather comfort.

Construction Method and Design Features

The Winter Nights cardigan is worked seamlessly from the top down using circular needle construction. The body is knitted in a boxy silhouette, while the sleeves are tapered and worked in the round. This top-down approach allows for easy customization and adjustments during the knitting process. The collar is integrated into the construction, and the entirely seamless design eliminates the need for seaming, creating a polished, professional finish.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners while creating sophisticated results. The stitch abbreviations and techniques included are:

• sl1wyif - slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front
• sl1wyib - slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in back
• p2tog - purl 2 together (decrease stitch)
• m1l - make one left (increase stitch)
• m1r - make one right (increase stitch)

These techniques create shaping through strategic increases and decreases, allowing the tapered sleeves and fitted elements while maintaining the boxy body silhouette.

Materials and Tools Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for 400-750 grams of worsted weight yarn, with yardage varying based on desired size. The sample cardigan was knitted using The Fiber Co. Cumbria in the colorway 'Blackbeck' (236 yards per 100 grams).

Needles and Notions: Knitters will need a US #7/4.5mm circular needle in 32"-40" length, or the size required to obtain proper gauge. For small circumference knitting sections, additional tools such as double-pointed needles (dpns), magic loop method supplies, or short circular needles are recommended based on the knitter's preferred technique. The pattern also requires 4 stitch markers, 1 removable stitch marker, a darning needle for finishing, and waste yarn or a stitch holder for securing stitches during construction.

Gauge and Sizing

Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct fit in this cardigan. Knitters should swatch with their chosen yarn and needles to match the specified gauge before beginning the project. The pattern accommodates multiple sizes through adjustable yardage requirements (400-750g range), allowing customization of the final garment dimensions.

Skill Level

Designed as a beginner-level project, Winter Nights introduces knitters to seamless top-down construction and in-the-round knitting techniques without overwhelming complexity. The pattern is accessible to those new to garment knitting while producing a polished, wearable result.