The Fenn Cardigan is the twin piece to the Fenn Sweater that Anne @trin_annelie created to celebrate 10 years of designing!
It is knitted seamlessly from the neckline using German short rows, raglan increases, and colorwork stripes, with two colors on the same row to keep things as simple as possible 🙂 It will introduce you to the steeking technique (with a little thrill thrown in!) and show you how to make a beautiful buttonband and a deep hood.
CONSTRUCTION
The cardigan is worked top down in the round as a seamless raglan construction. Steek stitches are incorporated at the center front, and then cut late for the opening (steeking). Short rows set right at the top of the yoke provide some neckline shaping.
After the colorwork pattern is established, the yoke, body and sleeves are worked top down in the round. The colorwork itself is only two colors at a time.
Then stitches for the hood are picked up and worked bottom up with some light shaping to its final length, before it is closed at the top using the kitchener stitch. Then the steek stitches are secured and cut open.
Finally stitches are picked up along the edge for the buttonband, which is worked as a combination of sandwich, to cover the steek edges, ribbing and a neat garter garter border.
The yoke is fully charted for each size and a general chart with thorough instructions is provided for the colorwork at the body and sleeves.
TECHNIQUES USED AND SKILL LEVEL
This pattern is at an intermediate to advanced level: skills required for this pattern include Long-tail and backwards loop CO, binding off, increasing and decreasing, knitting in the round and picking up stitches, colorwork, following a chart, German short rows, Kitchener Stitch and steeking.
It includes links to video or photo tutorials for specific techniques used as well as tips and notes on colorwork techniques and how to adjust this pattern to suit your own preferences.
HOW TO PICK YOUR SIZE
The « Fenn cardigan » is available in 9 sizes corresponding to the finished measurements:
Chest circumference: 93 (101.5, 112, 120, 130.5) (141, 152, 160, 170.5) cm/37¼ (40½, 44¾, 48, 52¼)(56½, 60¾, 64, 68¼)” with cardigan buttoned.
The recommended positive ease is between 10 and 25 cm: however, you can choose a size that gives you the ease you want.
For example, if your bust measurement is 95 cm, you can choose:
- a size 3 for a positive ease of 17 cm at the bust
or
- a size 4 for a positive ease of 25 cm.
The top-down construction allows you to easily adjust the length of the sleeves and bottom of the garment to your preference. The pattern also includes tips and suggestions for adapting the design to your body shape.
« Fenn Cardigan » pattern by Trin Annelie knitted in size 3 with a positive ease of 21,5 cm
YARNS USED
To knit the Gilliatt version (mérinos d’Arles and black merino from Portugal ; 250 m (202 yd)/100g), you will need:
C1: 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) (5, 6, 6, 6) skein(s)
C2: 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 4) skein(s)
C3: 1 skein
C4: 1 skein
Anne chose for her sample the colors « poivre blanc » (C1) , « poivre et sel » (C2), « érable » (C3) et « poivre » (C4).
For a version with Ulysse (100% Mérinos d’Arles et mérinos noir portugais cardé ; 185 m / 50 g) + Bérénice (55% Super Kid Mohair, 25% soie, 20 % Mérinos d’Arles biologique ; 210 m / 25 g) held together, you will need:
C1: 5 (5, 6, 6, 6) (7, 7, 8, 8) skeins
C2: 2 (3, 3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 4, 4) skeins
C3: 1 skein
C4: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1, 2) skein(s)
C1: 5 (5, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7, 7) skeins
C2: 3 (3, 3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 5, 5) skeins
C3: 1 skein
C4 : 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 2, 2, 2) skein(s)
Ulysse “bruyère” + Bérénice “oursin” / Ulysse “darjeeling” + Bérénice “doré” / Ulysse “biche” + Bérénice” biche” / Ulysse “amarante” + Bérénice “prune”
About the designer:
After studying architecture and film and media design, Trin-Annelie now works as a 3D artist for architectural visualisation and has been publishing her knitting patterns since 2016.
She particularly enjoys playing with patterns and soft colours to create subtle, timeless pieces.
She lives in the pretty town of Herrenberg in southern Germany with her partner and two cats.
Ravelry : Trin-Annelie
Instagram : @trin_annelie
Other beautiful designs by Anne created for our yarns are available on our website:
Pattern “Momo Motte” by Trin-Annelie in Gilliatt “érable” and “poivre blanc”
Pattern “Ringell” by Trin-Annelie in Ulysse “bruyère”, “poivre blanc” et “brouillard”
Pattern “Ulm” by Trin-Annelie in Gilliatt “sel”, “poivre et sel”, “poivre” et “quartz”
Pattern “Freia Frost” by Trin-Annelie in Albertine “or rose”
Fenn cardigan’s photo credits: Trin Annelie