My new wooly cardigan design is LIVE!
I am so pleased to introduce my latest collaboration with The Fibre Co! The Jetty Cardigan is part of the Almanac III series inspired by the deep, cold, high seas.
The third Almanac Series from The Fibre Co is inspired by the oceans to acknowledge the importance of maintaining a balanced and thriving ocean ecosystem. The moodiness of the deep ocean, the chill of polar seas, the patterns and rhythm of the winter swells, and the great migrations of sea birds were some of the inspirations behind this Almanac Series. We invite you to feel inspired by the high seas and explore this theme with us.
(pssst…the Kit is 10% off at thefibreco.com through December 2, 2023. Use coupon code jettycardigan10 😉
The Inspiration…
I designed the Jetty Cardigan with a somewhat sentimental idea of the English coast. Inspired by rugged cliffs, crashing sea, rough hands and hard work, this cardigan has a classic heritage quality that is markedly feminine, yet rugged.
There is an element of admiration in this design for a cultural environment where people make things that last, skillfully care for them, wash them, mend them and pass them down. Knitting takes a long time; its fruits should live long lives too. So, I designed Jetty to be durable and serviceable, yet beautiful and possessing a timeless quality.
Holding back surges of wind and water…
A jetty, a spit of land projecting out into the sea, is often used to hold back the surges of wind and water. These are the inspirations for the Jetty Cardigan. Jetty uses humble garter stitch to focus on the homey, wooly qualities of Cumbria Fingering. Garter stitch forms the central “jetties” at the front and center of this classic cardigan creating a strong horizontal movement flanked by waves.
This magnificent yarn…
Cumbria Fingering was chosen for this project due to its diligent ‘wooliness’ and durability. Made from a lustrous blend of Masham wool, Merino and mohair, this is the perfect project for those looking for something sophisticated and timeless to add to their handmade wardrobe.
Cumbria is perfect in Jetty as it is for so many other projects. I love its hairy wooliness, yet it has a silky quality that belies a deep-seated toughness and durability. It responds well to different tensions also. It’s fabulous for dense, thick warm fabrics, but loosens up with elegant drapability when worked to a more open gauge.
The knit…
Worked seamlessly from the top down, the Jetty Cardigan features contiguous set in sleeves for a clean, well-fitted shoulder area. A high jewel neckline is augmented with short row shaping at the back neck. Jetty is straight and falls just below mid-hip.
Garter fills the rippling double staff cables and forms the front bands. The cables devolve into 2×2 ribbing at the neck and lower edge. Front edges are finished in a 3-stitch selvedge to keep them straight and even. Jetty is a great mix of “intuitive” and “engaging”.
I hope you’ll love Jetty as much as I do!
