Cassiopeia Cardigan
Description
Measurements:
Small – Underarm 96.5cm. Length 54.5cm.
Medium – Underarm 104cm. Length 56cm.
Large – Underarm 110cm. Length 57cm.
X Large – Underarm 116cm. Length 58.5cm.
XX Large – Underarm 123cm. Length 60cm.
XXX Large – Underarm 131cm. Length 61cm.
This kit includes a colour-printed pattern card with full instructions in eight sizes and all the Alice Starmore 2 Ply Hebridean™ yarn required to make the Cassiopeia Cardigan in your chosen size and colours.
There are three colours used: a Main Colour (MC); a Pattern Colour (PC) used for the larger pattern bands, and a Contrast Colour (CC) used for the cast-on and the little pattern bands worked between the larger bands.
The photographed example shows the cardigan with a Main Colour of Red Rattle, a Pattern Colour of Mountain Hare and a Contrast Colour of Corncrake. For a look at other colourways, see those shown and described for the Cassiopeia Vest and Hat Set. These colourways illustrate just how much colour choice can affect the finished design. With just three colours in the scheme, you can choose any combination of Hebridean 2 Ply colours to make the cardigan co-ordinate perfectly with any outfit.
The cardigan body rib is worked back and forth in rows with a subtle contrast colour worked in the Channel Islands Cast-on. The body is then joined into the round and the patterns are worked in the stranded knitting technique with steeks worked at the front opening, armholes and neck shaping. The set-in sleeves are knit in the round to the armholes and the sleeve caps are then worked back and forth in rows. The collar is knit back and forth in rows and features the same contrast edging as the body. It is then joined to the neckband using a neat and interesting technique.
For a step-by-step video tutorial showing all the techniques involved in knitting and finishing stranded garments visit our Stranded Knitting in the Round with Steeks tutorial section.
Click here for a digital shadecard of all Hebridean 2 Ply colours.
£96.00 – £141.00
Story
Living in the Outer Hebrides at a latitude of 58° means that the northern circumpolar constellations can be viewed in the night sky in all their mysterious glory. With the exception of high summer when the skies never darken, I can watch the constellations as they turn majestically around Polaris. The constellation of Cassiopeia is highly distinctive, being composed of five luminous stars set in the Milky Way. As it traverses around Polaris it appears as an “M” in the winter months, then gradually moving end on, it forms a “W” in the summer skies.
The main pattern band on the gloves and hat reflect this motion with a line that weaves its way around through “M” and “W”. The large shape held within depicts Cassiopeia’s largest star, Schedar, and the small contrasting borders depict its containment in the Milky Way.
Both beret and gloves feature the Channel Islands Cast-on which can be made in the main colour as shown on the Red Deer set, or adding a contrast colour as shown on the Glen set. This cast-on provides a beautiful edge for the k1,p1 rib on both beret and gloves. I’ve made the cuff ribs extra long so that they can be worn high up the arm or doubled over. Whichever way you choose to wear them, they are sure to keep you very cosy. With just three colours in the scheme, you can choose any combination of Hebridean 2 Ply colours to make this set co-ordinate perfectly with any outfit.
The vest is quick and fun to knit and the style is both practical and versatile to wear, as is the cardigan, though it is a more complex knit. Both will create a spectacular outfit when worn with the Cassiopeia Hat Set which you can make using the same choice of colours worked to match exactly or with the colours placed differently.
Alice