From the Mailbox

A Thursday feature, questions from you knitters, answered for the benefit of all.  I encourage you to add your thoughts in the comments below.

One of the things I loved about the Whisper Cardigan was the flared sleeves. I can't seem to get a hold of the Spring Interweave magazine to get the pattern for the Whisper pattern - I can't find the magazine in any store!

I plan on purchasing the Wispy Cardi cardigan later on today when I get home, would it possible to get the part of the pattern for just the flared sleeves to replace the ribbed sleeve? - Irene

A few knitters have asked how to alter the Wispy Cardi pattern to have a flared sleeve like Whisper.

First, determine which size cardi you want to make, and how much of a flare you want.

As a rule, for each extra inch of fabric, you need to cast on 6 extra stitches.  Whisper added about 2" of extra fabric at the cuff, or 14 additional cast on sts.  Of course, Whisper didn't have the range of sizing that Wispy has, so if you are making a child's size you will want to add less and for a larger adult size you will want to add more.

Cast on at the right sleeve as the pattern directs, adding in your additional cast on sts.

You may work the rib at the cuff as directed, or you can omit it (Whisper did not have ribbing at the cuff)

This is the flared sleeve decrease row:

(RS) K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

Figure out how often you need to work this row to get back to the original sleeve count, working the last decrease round between 1 - 2" before you have reached the desired sleeve length.

Work across the back of the shrug, then reverse the shaping from the right sleeve for the left sleeve, working this increase row:

(RS) K1, M1L, K to last st, M1R, k1