Posted on 20 Comments

Would you like to knit an Everyday Cardigan?

Everyday Cardigan, from Polka Dot Cottage

Everyday Cardigan, from Polka Dot Cottage

Everyday Cardigan, from Polka Dot Cottage

Everyday Cardigan, from Polka Dot Cottage

Everyday Cardigan, from Polka Dot Cottage

I haven’t talked much about this project here, mainly because I wasn’t sure I had the stamina to finish it. See, I usually need to change things up a bit after a long-term project. If I spend a month knitting a sweater, it’s not likely I am going to want to spend another month knitting another sweater any time soon. And yet, hot on the heels of my September Sweater, I found myself casting on.

I consider the September Sweater kind of a gateway into designing my own garment. Over the course of a few years, I had made enough adjustments to the Tea Leaves Cardigan, that I understood how it was built and why certain things were done certain ways. By the time I completed this year’s hybrid, I was eager to fire up my spreadsheet, play with some measurements, and start from scratch writing my own cardigan pattern.

And so I did!

I’m very excited about the fact that this particular cardigan was 100% designed by me – something you never would have convinced me I’d be capable of, just a few short years ago!

I am modeling the size 40. I wear it with a bit of positive ease, because I want it to be something relaxed that I can wear every day during the colder months. I like that I can slip it on over a tee, a turtle neck, a peasant top, or a dress, and it still works. And I like that it’s not particularly clingy, because in my opinion, the biggest benefit to a Winter wardrobe is not having to worry about my tummy and it’s lack of flatness. Hooray for layering!

I am very interested in publishing the pattern for this cardigan. Since it’s somewhat more complicated than my usual patterns, in terms of there being multiple sizes and such, I would love some help with the testing.

[As I said, I’ve knit the size 40, and I have a volunteer already to give the 34 a try. I would love two or three more people to knit up some of the other sizes (32, 36, 42, 44, 48). Any takers? (If you’re unfamiliar with how this works, you buy the yarn, you keep the sweater. I give you the pattern for free, and you let me know if you have any trouble with the instructions.)

The sweater is mostly knit in stockinette, with seed stitch edging, and ribbed details. It’s a top-down knit, so you can try it on as you go, and there’s no seaming to do at the end.

Here are the Ravelry details to help you decide if you’re interested. I would need your knitting to be completed by early January, as I am aiming to publish the pattern that month. That gives you two months of knitting time (keeping in mind the holidays are in there, too).

Comment here, or email me at polkadotcottage at lisaclarke dot net if you’re interested!

P.S. I’m open to figuring out smaller/larger sizes, if necessary. I have enough volunteers now – thank you so much!

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Posted on 20 Comments

20 thoughts on “Would you like to knit an Everyday Cardigan?

  1. I can do size 36 or even 32 if u want me to. I however may not be able to get the exact yarn here. I can use the readily available 100%acrylic worsted yarn. Would love to test a sweater pattern. Looking fwd to hearing from u.

    1. Thanks, Gulnaz, I emailed you.

  2. I’m not sure how the sizing runs, and I don’t knit very fast. But if you need one more knitter, count me in. I can always use another cardigan.

    1. The finished chest measurement should be at (or slightly larger than) the size listed. For example, the 40 knits up to be about 40.25 inches around when buttoned.

      As long as you think you can get through the bulk of the pattern by January, that would be helpful. I’ll email you within the hour (have to leave now for school pickup…)

  3. I’d be happy to knit up the 42 size if you’re still looking for testers.
    rum

    1. You have mail!

  4. Hi.
    I would like to knit the size 48 for you if you still need someone to do it.
    Regards
    Joyce

    1. Great! I just emailed you.

  5. Happy to knit for you
    Janette

  6. I would love to test knit for you.I have test knitted for a few designers.Cathy

    1. I just emailed you. Thanks!

  7. Ug thats what happens when you work full time. You cant get in on all the good stuff. I would love to be a test knitter. If not put me on list to buy when available. Thanks Lisa! Read your blog daily if I can..I am a former Jersey girl!

    1. Actually… I was thinking last night that I have an odd number of testers, and I really like things to be so nice and even. So, if you want to, you’re in! I’ll email you right now. 🙂

  8. I would love to knit for you, if I am not lucky enough to be picked to knit this gorgeous jumper for you this time then I wold love to be considered to knit for you in the future xx

    1. Thanks for the offer, Jacqueline, but I have enough now. 🙂

  9. […] all, thanks for the great response yesterday to my request for test knitters! I have all I need right now, but I love how quick so many of you were to volunteer! So nice. I […]

  10. […] pattern I am considering for the boys, and for my mother and mother-in-law, I would love to use my own Everyday Cardigan pattern and change it up as […]

  11. […] So here’s just a tiny peek at what’s on the needles: an Everyday Cardigan like this one. […]

  12. […] propose we knit cardigans together. As you may know, I have a new pattern in the works. (This post is illustrated with examples from the two versions I have knit so far.) You will be […]

  13. […] Navy, white tee is from Lands End, jeans are second-hand Gap, details about the green sweater are here, and the floral shirt details are […]

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