Dare to Make It Knit-Along: An Easy Little Cardi

Tina Hilton, contributor

26 users recommend

Making a fitted sweater is easier than you think and is so figure flattering.

Tina Hilton

A simple drop stitch pattern for the yoke offers a designer flair.

Tina Hilton

Chunky yarn = a fast project!

Tina Hilton

Making a fitted sweater is easier than you think and is so figure flattering.

Photo: Tina Hilton

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Even if you are a brand-new knitter barely out of your first project, this stylish Fitted Knits Mini Cardi project offers valuable tips and techniques to transform you into an accomplished knitter. On trend and made up quickly, this easy sweater is a good skill builder with darts and shaped sleeves. This pattern is originally from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel, courtesy of North Light Books, and comes to us courtesy of Lion Brand Yarn free pattern site.

A knit-along is defined by Larissa and Martin Brown, authors of Knitalong, of as “an event where people get together and knit for a common purpose.” Usually it’s a way for people to get together and knit the same project either in person or online. Knit-alongs can be as simple as getting together at your LYS to knit preemie caps for the hospital or as wide-reaching as joining a Ravelry group to knit with 1001 Socktoberfest knitters around the world.

Our knit-along welcomes all levels of knitters to join in making the Mini Cardi and to share your progress and ask questions. I will address your comments, suggestions, and questions at least once a day, so check back often.

Have fun and tell your friends!

Supplies

Chunky yarn = a fast project!

Yarn
• Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
Main color: Two balls for size small; three balls for sizes medium and large; four balls for size extra-large. I used Denim.
Contrasting color: Two balls are enough for all sizes. I used Snapdragon.

Other good yarn choices include the 100% wool Big Wool by Rowan or the wool/acrylic blend Yukon by Plymouth.

The yarn color choices were inspired by designer Alvin Valley from the Pantone Fashion Color Report—Fall 2008.

Needles
• Size US 13 (9mm) 24-inch or 29-inch circular needle or size to achieve gauge
• Size US 10-1/2 (6.5mm) straight or circular
• Size US 9 (5.5mm) circular needle in any length

Notions
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holders
• Tapestry needle
• Three 2-inch buttons
• Sewing needle and thread to match button/button band

Abbreviations
CC: contrasting color
inc: increase
K2tog: knit 2 together
Kfb: knit in front and in back of stitch
MC: main color
Rep: repeat
Sl: slip
St st: stockinette stitch
RS: right side
Ssk: slip, slip, knit
St(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side
yo: yarn over

Stitchionary
RLI: Inc 1 st in next st by inserting tip of right needle into back of st 1 row below on left needle and knitting into it to create a right-leaning inc.
LLI: Inc 1 st in next st by inserting tip of left needle into back of st 1 row below on right needle and knitting into it to create a left-leaning inc.

Gauge

Obtaining the correct gauge promises a well-fitting garment.

Eight sts and 13 rows = 4 inches (10cm) in St st on largest needles. PLEASE take the little bit of extra time to make a GAUGE SWATCH. When you match the gauge in the pattern, your sweater will be the size indicated in the pattern and you will have enough yarn to complete it. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4-inch (10cm) square, switch to a smaller size needle; if you come up with more stitches and rows, try a larger size needle.

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Comments (24)

bpetski writes: Vicky,
Thanks so much for responding so quickly to my comment! I just tried the "view all" to no avail. I really am stymied about this. I want to print the patterns; however, when I go to "print preview" it shows only one page. Sigh! Any other suggetions, anyone? Thanks.
Posted: 9:43 pm on April 12th

VictoriaNorth writes: If you choose "view all" and then print you should get the entire project.
Posted: 4:57 pm on April 12th

bpetski writes: I love your patterns; however, I must agree irey, I, also have tried every trick I know and cannot print ANY of the patterns past page 1. What gives? I have had to print the page 1 of any pattern and then hand write the rest of the pattern. That is fine for a small pattern; however, for a lengthy one such as this cardi, I can't write that many pages and will have no pictures to help with the instructions. Please instruct as to how to print.

Many thanks.
Posted: 12:54 pm on April 12th

Tina_Hilton writes: Irey - Take it slow and easy. You can do it! - Tina
Posted: 6:50 pm on January 7th

irey writes: Thanks, I will try again. I notice on my print out instructions Size Large cast on is 46 sts. and extra large
cast on is 54 sts.
I used the 46sts - will make adjustments on my sheet re.
the change since I am attempting to make the large size.
I did a little research in some of my old books that I kept when I firt started knitting years ago. Put them aside for my crochet. Some are over 20 yrs old, none mentioned the loose yarn when you Yo and then purl on the second row.
Hope my next attempt comes out OK. Thanks

Posted: 10:37 am on January 7th

Tina_Hilton writes: Hi Iry,

First thing you need to do is to verify that you have the proper number of stitches on the needle according to the size you are making. At the end of row 1 for a size small you should have 38 stitches, medium 46, large 54 & x-large 62. If you have more than that number, you should unknit, cast on the correct number of stitches and do your row 1 again. Or if you did have the correct number of stitches upon completing row one, you may be referring to the yarn over stitch that indeed looks different that the rest of your stitches and may look "loose" to you. Don't worry, just stick your needle right in there and fearlessly perform a normal knit stitch.

Hope this solves the puzzle for you - Tina
Posted: 4:25 pm on January 6th

irey writes: Just now getting around to try the Easy Little Cardi and
ran into a a wee problem (I think).
On Row 2 Purl when I come to the k1 yo, k1, place marker there ia loose yarn as if I missed a stitch and I am at loss
in what to do with the loose yarn. Did I do something wrong
in row 2? I am a newbie sort of in knitting, i have been crocheting for years and just start back knitting.
To make the question short - is there suppose to be loose yarn when you do the yo ? Puzzle and thank for any help
Irey

Posted: 1:54 pm on January 6th

Tina_Hilton writes: Hi Silky Girl,

Part two posted on December 4th, part three on December 11th and the fourth and final set of instructions will post on December 18th. Hop you have fun making it!
Posted: 2:36 pm on December 15th

SilkyGirl writes: This looks like a great knitted project. When are the rest of the directions coming out?
Posted: 10:25 am on December 7th

Tina_Hilton writes: Michaela,

It will look so cute on you. Please share the finished product with us. Can't wait to see how it turns out.
Posted: 3:07 pm on December 3rd

MichaelaMurphy writes: Hi Irey,
Thanks for your patience. The printing issue has been resolved and you should now be able to print up the pattern without incident. Let me know if you need anything else. Happy knitting.
Michaela
Posted: 2:25 pm on December 2nd

MichaelaMurphy writes: Hi Irey,
I have asked our tech dept to take a look and see what the problem might be--we will post an 'all clear' within a day or so. Sorry that you are having trouble.
Michaela
Posted: 8:46 pm on December 1st

irey writes: Will someone please tell me (or assist me) in getting this
little goodie printed.( How to Make It knit-Along; An Easy
Little Cardi)
I have tried just about everything I could think of in attempting to print the instructions.
Six pages come out with only page l printed with the Title
and picture of the yarn. I have wasted about 30 or more sheet of paper. Any help will be appreciated.
Posted: 3:19 pm on December 1st

MichaelaMurphy writes: Hey Tina,
I just picked up some Lion Brand Thick n Quick in Charcoal and Claret (for the trim) and tonight I'm casting on!
Posted: 2:05 pm on December 1st

irey writes: Unable to print Dare to Make It Knit-Along: An Easy Little Cardi.
Prints the first page only.
I have the yarn and would like to make this.
Posted: 10:57 am on December 1st

Tina_Hilton writes: Ha ha, the yolks on me! Thanks for catching what spell check didn't.
Posted: 7:06 am on December 1st

SMVG writes: Tina,
I, like Jennifer am a novice at knitting but you make it so.... easy to get started. I love the style and the color choices. I always enjoy your postings. Keep them coming.

Posted: 2:16 pm on November 30th

garmentoskid writes: I'm sorry but the editor in me has to make a correction--the top part of the sweater is a YOKE; not a YOLK!

Otherwise, you rock.
Posted: 5:08 pm on November 29th

SandiH writes: I love this, but need just one size larger. How hard would it be for a beginning knitter to increase the pattern for a XXL?
Posted: 9:29 am on November 29th

Tina_Hilton writes: Substituting yarn is not an exact science. Look for a chunky yarn that has a simular gauge or double or triple a a couple of strands of lighter weight together. Chunky choices include the 100% wool Big Wool by Rowan or the wool/acrylic blend Yukon by Plymouth.

The most important thing is to make sure you take the necessary time to make gauge swatches to test they yarn and needle size combinations.
Posted: 8:55 am on November 28th

Tina_Hilton writes: Give it a go Jennifer. I know you can do it!
Posted: 8:54 am on November 28th

Craftieladie writes: Can you use any other yarn??? Love the style!!!!
Posted: 2:38 pm on November 26th

cirone writes: ooh, i like the color choices! i've got another project i'm working on right now and can't participate in this, but i'll bookmark it for a future date =)
Posted: 7:00 pm on November 25th

JenniferStern writes: Oh my god, you're killing me with the cool knitting stuff...I'm trying it. I don't know how to knit, but I'm going to try and knit along with you on this one....do you think I can figure it out???
Posted: 12:47 pm on November 25th

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