The Cardigan Project

‘Tis the season for new knitting projects…and for new knitting classes! We’ve got a couple of new ones at Rosehaven over the next few weeks, but my favorite is The Cardigan Project. I’d heard about the desire to knit a first sweater project over and over from student and customers, so I decided to create a class where folks could do just that! 

I’ve chosen three easy cardigan patterns, all of which are flattering to a variety of figure types. They’re all worked seamlessly from the top down, require minimal finishing and all call for worsted weight yarn, which means they’ll work up quickly. They have flexible and interesting closure options that do not require buttonholes. Any of these would make a great all-season layering piece for blouses, t-shirts, tank tops or other knits and they’ll look fabulous worked in just about any color or fibre.

Option 1 is the “Harvest Sweater” by Tin Can Knits from the “Simple Collection”. This easy yet stylish sweater has deep garter stitch bands and a really pretty raglan shaping line. It can be worn open, or closed with a nifty shawl pin. I’d love it worked in a tonal, hand painted or variegated yarn. (Malabrigo Rios springs instantly to mind!

Option 2 is “Dacite” by Carol Feller. I love that this brilliant layering piece works like a light jacket. Dacite could be pinned closed at the waist with the lapels folded back  or pinned up snug around the neck creating an interesting asymmetrical front opening. It would be great in something tweed-y or denim-y

Option 3 is “Nanook” by Heidi Kirrmaier, which has inhabited a very special place on my Ravelry queue for ages. What an enigmatic collar. The suggested yarn is Lark by Quince and Co, and frankly, I can’t think of anything nicer! The colors are amazing, clear and unabashed yet somehow subtle.

Through the course of the project, we’ll learn how to use schematics and measurements to choose the right size for a perfect fit. We’ll talk about pattern modifications, yarn options and substitutions, something a knitter does for almost every project. A gauge swatch will follow, and we’ll begin to knit. Finishing and blocking will also be covered. Three consecutive Sunday morning meetings and <huzzah!> your first sweater! 

I think it’s great fun to work through a big project in a small group. There’s so much to learn from knitters who are working through a similar set of skills and meeting new, like-minded people is part of the fun. Of course, I’m happy to provide 24/7 support via telephone, email and IM. 

If you think you’d like to join in the fun, you can leave a comment here or call the shop to register at 613-476-9092. I hope to see you there!