Jethro
Jethro
I am not over Granny squares. My love for them is still full blown. It’s so deeply rooted that granny squares have become my new sock project. The project that is always sitting in a basket beside my knitting nook ready to be grabbed at any moment for a few quick stitches. This cardigan is my ode to my favourite colour palette done up in my current favourite Granny Squares. A match made in heaven.
Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Approximate finished chest: 87.5 (107.5, 124.5, 150.5, 175.5, 200) cm / 34.5 (42.25, 49, 59.25, 69, 78.75)”
Notes on sizing:
The sizes given are the actual finished full chest measurement of the garment, choose a size that corresponds to 30-43 cm / 12-17” larger than your upper bust measurement or, the size that will give you the amount of ease you like. There are larger than I’m used to jumps between the sizes due to the restrictions imposed by the fixed sizes of the squares and I think that it suits the casual nature of the pattern. It is not intended to be fitted, there is no shoulder shaping, it’s a throw it on and run out the door kinda cardi. Because this is an open front cardigan where the back width is greater than the width of the front (the fronts don’t meet when the cardigan is laid flat, but it can be buttoned which will create a slightly raised front hem) the sizes are based on the back width. I recommend wearing this drop shoulder style with a lot of positive ease. I am wearing the size 3 with close to 43 cm / 17” of positive ease. My daughter is wearing the size 1 with 38 cm / 15” of positive ease. When worn buttoned the circumference is decreased by about 5 cm / 2” as the fronts have to pull together to fasten. Crochet is different from knitting in that it’s denser and heavier, it doesn’t have the same fluid drape that knit fabric can have. Keep this in mind when choosing your size. My vision for the fit is to have a generously proportioned body and the crisp ribbing and slightly slimmer sleeves keep it from looking sloppy.
Gauge
22 stitches and 28 rows = 10 cm / 4” square in stockinette stitch knit in the round on larger needles after wet blocking.
Each Granny square should measure 9 (10.75, 12.75, 10.75, 12.75,
14.5) cm / 3.5 (4.25, 5, 4.25, 5, 5.75)” with joining round.
Recommended Needles
Size F 3.75mm crochet hook.
3.5mm (US size 4) 32” or longer circular needle for ribbing.
4 mm (US size 6) needle in your preferred needle style for working small circumference in the round for the sleeves.
Yarn
Tanis Fiber Arts PureWash DK (113g = 260 yds).
Approximate Yardage:
DK: 675 (820, 980, 1480, 1520, 1650) yds for granny squares plus 250 (300, 360, 410, 460, 500) yds of MC for the sleeves and ribbing.
Note: The joining round, which is shown here in the MC, is included in the yardage for the granny squares. If you are planning multicoloured granny squares with the joining round worked in your MC like my samples, approximately 230 (250, 275, 450, 360, 400) yds of your “granny square” yardage will be in your MC - so you’ll need to factor that into your MC yardage requirements.
Additional Tools and Materials
Tapestry needle, 5 removable stitch markers. Five, 1 cm / 0.5” buttons.
I have created a YouTube playlist with several tutorials to help you
along with this pattern, you can find it here.
Pattern also available on Ravelry.
It's been over two years since I published my very first sweater pattern, I Heart Aran. That design, the one that got me passionate about designing my own knits, is still one of my most popular patterns. How to improve upon a classic? Cardigan-ize it! Pullovers are great, but nothing beats a cozy cardigan. My I Heart Cardigans design borrows the same classic look from I Heart Aran; a shawl collar and set in sleeves, but with switched up cables and a generous button band. If you like aran sweaters, you'll love this aran cardigan!