Whisper Cardigan: A Closer Look
(Looking to buy the pattern? Head this way.)
Several people have requested to see a schematic of the whisper cardigan, so here it is (rough, as you can see!) Following is a corresponding overview of how the cardigan is worked- it’s seamless!
1. You begin by working the right sleeve in the round, using US 7 dpn or 12″ circular. (I don’t mind 12″ circulars, some people find it a little uncomfortable.) Next, you work the body back and forth using a longer US 7 circular needle. The flexibility of the circular needle is nice as you make the transition from working in the round to working straight. At the center back you use US 2 needles for a few rows to create the wee bit of gathering, then continue on US 7’s, switching back to working in the round when you reach the left sleeve.
2. With US 4 circular needles, you pick up stitches all around the opening of the cardigan, and then work in rib as described, binding off around the collar edge when complete.
3. With US 7 needles, you knit the lower body from the waist down.
I hope this is helpful. If you require further clarification, please leave a comment and I will ammend this post as needed.
I can’t wait to see everyone’s cardi’s!!
02.19 – Sizing: Good questions! The good news is that the fabric that results from the sproingy lace weight yarn knit on larger needles is very versatile – it sort of forms to your shape, and in an flattering way!
That said, here are some tips for sizing. Think of the suggested sizes as S, M and L. For a frame of reference, I am wearing the medium size here and I have a 36″ chest, and I measure 22″ from shoulder to shoudler.
Also, on the sleeves – I don’t have the cardi in front of me to measure, I will try to track it down, but again, I am wearing the medium and my bicep measures 12″. You can see how it fits nicely, so I think it’s safe to assume the 10″ as published in IK is off a wee bit.
Another thing to keep in mind: you can try on the cardi as you knit! Once you have completed the first sleeve, you will be knitting across the back, aiming for the center of your spine where you will work a wee bit of gathering. You have the opportunity to ensure a perfect fit this way!
02.23 – The nature of the Morehouse Farm Lace, and I would suspect Malabrigo Lace, is that it doesn’t really curl up once blocked. If you are concerned about it, go ahead and sneak some ribbing in there, or create a little hem.
Also, the color Morehouse Farm Merino Lace that I used is Seafoam – it was misprinted in IK (probably my fault…)
February 19th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Hannah, thanks so much for the schematic – it does help. I look forward to choosing yarn and applying needles soon. Spring is on the way … hope that is true in Maine also.
February 19th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
This was so helpful! My SnB is doing a KAL for this sweater starting soon and it’s great to have extra guidance. I do have one more question though – how should we measure ourselves to determine the best size?
February 19th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Thank you, this is very helpful. The only thing I’m not entirely clear about is where I need to measure myself to get the back measurement. I’m a small-boned 36″ bust. I suspect that I need a 20″ back (this doesn’t really meet across the front at all does it?)
February 19th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I understood the directions but the measurements leave me confused. A 10″ bicept circumference, as published, would only fit a small child or a severely malnourished adult. I’ve never knit a sleeve that decreased before the raglan starts. If this is correct, as published, the sleeve would be a very tight fit around the upper arm, if it fit at all. I know that I could not get my arm into a sleeve that was only 10″. Was there a publishing error?
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Just curious. Did you have any problem with rolling of the sleeve and bottom with this being stockinette stitch? The photos don’t show that there was, but didn’t know if it took a little work to have it not roll?
March 7th, 2009 at 2:23 am
I am knitting your pattern also and I am really enjoying the design, but I also became confused about the sleeve size. After reading this it is clear that your intent is for the drapey/larger sleeve as written. It looks like the problem is that the sleeve circumference published in IK was incorrect because it is based on the wrong stitch count. Since the gauge is 6st per inch, if you have 76st after decrease the sleeve will be about 12.6″. It looks like the 10″ circumference estimate came from the fact that there are 60st left after the bind off. So it seems that the 60st count was used instead of the 76 st count to calculate that 10″ estimate.
March 8th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Oh thanks so much for the schematic and overview! This cardigan is fated for me. I saw it in IK, decided I wanted to make it, checked the yarn requirement and realized that I’d had *exactly* that yarn in *exactly* the right amount sitting in my stash for ten years waiting for you to write this pattern
). Kismit. In fact, that’s what I’m calling my version of it over on Ravelry. I’m casting on today. Thanks for a charming pattern!
March 15th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
i just saw this on ravelry and love it. . . but can’t track where the pattern was shared. can you share it? or direct me to the pattern somewhere? can you email me directly? many thanks!
March 17th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
oh! thank you so much for posting this schematic… i love this cardigan and can’t wait to start one of my own. ^_^
March 20th, 2009 at 10:49 am
How Lovely ! – can’t wait to knit one for my daughter, I know she’ll love it.
Thank you very much,
Cheers, Carol
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:26 pm
What about the meaurements for the Large size? I met you at Knit Wit in Portland one day last summer.
April 24th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Thanks so much! Without a schematic, it’s really tough to tell what size to make. IK should require schematics for all patterns it publishes.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:56 pm
I just bound off the ribbing for the neck. I’m wondering if I should have used a stretchy form of bind off instead of just normal knitted bind off. The back of the neck does not lay smoothly. Should it? I love the looks of this sweater, but for some reason I keep making stupid mistakes and having to frog, restart, frog,…… sigh.
May 27th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Beautiful sweater! It’s the biggest reason that the spring issue jumped off the rack and into my hot little hands
After a couple false starts, I CO last night using a lovely purple shade of Alpaca with a Twist Fino – 70% alpaca, 30% silk. I hope the silk gives the finished product a bit of weight, as the alpaca keeps it squishy and floaty.
I’m sure I’ll be back and posting another comment when I (inevitably) come up with a question
September 4th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Thank you very much for this schematic and explanation. I’m a visual person so this just made the light bulb go off. Thnaks agin for this wonderful pattern.
And congrats on being published too