You know we all love a good knit-along here at Stolen Stitches. It means that you’re not just getting support from me, the designer, but also from all the other knitters that are taking part!
This spring I’d like to introduce you to the Holly Blue cardigan. I’m a little (ok… a lot) in love with this cardigan. It’s got just the right mix of lace and solid sections to make it a great staple in your wardrobe.
I haven’t done a lot of circular yoke designs.
Did you just gasp at that sentence?
I know, in fact, this is the first one that I’ve designed for a knit-along. It seemed like the perfect construction though for this cardigan and I’m so excited to share it all with you. Press play on this video to have a quick rundown of this season’s garment knit-along:
Construction Details
This cardigan is knit from the top down, with a lace yoke that uses circular shaping. This gives us the freedom to have an all over lace pattern that is easy to work. Also, because of this construction, if you want to make small tweaks to the sizing, it’s really easy, you just need to make sure you’ve got the right number of stitches to work the lace repeats.
I wanted this to be an easy cardigan to wear, so I’ve suggested a few inches of positive ease. This, combined with an a-line body, makes it really easy to throw over most outfits. It’s equally at home over a tank top or a light summer dress. Perfect for layering through the year.
This cardigan is knit in Nua Sport in a bright blue. I love the bright colour statement of Hatter’s Teal Party, but there are some softer colour options that may suit your wardrobe better. How lovely would it be in Cerebellum?
KAL Timing
If you haven’t joined a Stolen Stitches KAL before, we release the entire pattern as a series of clues over a number of weeks. Each clue is released on a schedule with a complementary set of step-by-step tutorial videos so that you have everything you need to create a garment you’ll truly enjoy making and wearing.
Our Holly Blue Clue release schedule is as follows:
Yarn Kits on Sale: 13th April, 2023, 8pm Irish time (3pm EST) here (Link is not live until this time.)
Clue 1: 11th May 2023
Clue 2: 25th May 2023
Clue 3: 8th June 2023
Grand Prize: 22nd June 2023
Pattern Details
SIZES
To Fit Actual Bust Circumference Up To: 31 (34.5, 37.5, 41, 43.5, 46.25, 49, 52, 55, 58.5)” / 78.5 (87.5, 95, 104.5, 110, 117.5, 124.5, 132, 139.5, 148.5) cm
2-4” / 5-10 cm of positive ease recommended.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust Circumference: 33 (36.5 39.5, 43, 45.25, 48.25, 51, 54, 57, 60.5)” / 84 (92.5, 100.5, 109, 115, 122.5, 129.5, 137, 145, 153.5) cm buttoned
Size 39.5” / 100.5 cm modelled with 4”/ 10 cm positive ease.
Length from Back of Neck 22.25 (22.5, 22.75, 23, 23.25, 23.75, 24.25, 24.75, 25.25, 25.75)” / 56.5 (57, 58, 58.5, 59, 60.5, 61.5, 63, 64, 65.5) cm, not including neckband
YARN
Stolen Stitches ‘Nua Sport’ (60% Merino, 20% Yak, 20% Linen, 153 yds / 140 m per 1.8 oz / 50 g); colour: Hatter’s Teal Party (9803), 7 (7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11) skeins
Approximate Yardage: 975 (1056, 1128, 1196, 1250, 1313, 1402, 1476, 1562, 1656) yds / 893 (967, 1032, 1094, 1144, 1202, 1283, 1351, 1429, 1516) m
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US size 5 / 3.75 mm circular needles, 32”/ 80 cm long (or longer for larger sizes)
US size 5 / 3.75 mm dpns if magic loop not used for sleeves
US size 4 / 3.5 mm circular needles, 32”/ 80 cm long (or longer for larger sizes) for edging
US size 4 / 3.5 mm dpns if magic loop not used for cuff
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed, as every knitter’s gauge is unique.
Tapestry needle, waste yarn, markers, 9 (9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10) buttons 0.75” / 20 mm diameter.
GAUGE
22 sts and 31 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in St St blocked
Complimentary Workshops & Community Chat
Two of the highlights of a Stolen Stitches knit-along are the complimentary step-by-step workshops and community chat in our Knithub.
Knit-alongs are a great way to tackle a new technique or as a first time garment knitter. There are multiple avenues of support so that you’ll never have to feel lost as you work your way through a larger project.
This is why our workshops are free for the duration of the KAL. We want you to feel comfortable and confident as you join us in a KAL and, most importantly; we want you to be happy with your finished garment so that you can feel as great wearing it as you did knitting it.
When you purchase the pattern, you’ll automatically get a code for the complimentary workshops that we host on Teachable. If this is your first time joining us, you will be prompted to set up an account and, with two easy steps, you’ll have access to all our resources within.
As we release each pattern clue, you will receive a notification that the videos are now available to view. Once the KAL is over, this workshop is then sold separately but you, as a KAL knitter, will have lifetime access.
Discount
When you purchase both the pattern and yarn kit on our website (links below), you’ll get an automatic 10% discount until the end of April.
Where to Purchase the Holly Blue Knitting Pattern
You can buy the pattern on either my website here or Ravelry here. Pre-sale goes live at 8pm GMT on Thursday, April 13th. Links will not be live until this time.
Yarn kits are available separately here.
Remember that there is a full video companion workshop that is included with purchase for the duration of the KAL. This will be a separate product after the KAL is over.
Are you excited for our spring KAL? Will you be joining us this year?
I’m so excited. I love the sweater from last years KAL. Knitting along with your wonderful videos guaranteed success. I can hardly wait for May
Hi Carol,
When you say the cardigan is knitted “in the round” do you mean back and forth on a circular needle or will it truely be “in the round” and then steeked? For me this is important because I find my gauge going back and forth is different to in the round making it problematic to match the guage on the sleeves.
Will your tutorials cover hints on getting the gauge right?
Many Thanks,
Heidi
Canberra, Australia
Hi Heidi,
It is knit seamelessly from the top down but it is knit back and forth in rows. I can’t see where we said in the round but I’ll double check as it should be seamless!
:-)
Hi Carol,
You gauge says “22sts and 31 rnds”.
I ask because I want to test some yarn in my stash before committing to your KAL.
Many Thanks,
Heidi
It should be rows/rnds as it is for both. The sleeves are knit in the round.