………
BRIGHTER CARDIGAN

There are times, on a stormy day, when you can see a strip of clear skies in the distance beyond a mist of translucent cloud. There is something about that distant clarity in contrast to the storm directly above, that makes it seem brighter than bright.

This imagery inspired the cabled motif in this cardigan, and it came to me as I was listening to a song called ‘Light House’ by Future Islands. The word brighter repeats in the lyrics, and so the association was formed. I have since considered different names for the pattern, but Brighter feels right. There is something about this circular cabled yoke that seems to echo that special diffused clarity of winter daylight. The days may be shorter, but in its brief theatrical appearance the low northern light is brighter.

Work this cardigan in a woollen tweed for a softer look or in a glossy merino for crisp cable definition. Choose between a cropped and a full Bodice to suit your figure and style. Choose between button, toggle, or snap closures. Pattern includes charted and written cable instructions, and a detailed schematic with measurements.

………

MATERIALS & INFORMATION



Size 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
finished garment measures as follows around chest circumference:
91.5cm/ 36.5”,  (96cm/ 38.5”, 100cm/ 40”, 104cm/ 41.5”, 110.5cm/ 44.25”, 119cm/ 47.5”, 126.5cm/ 50.5”, 134.5cm/ 53.75”, 144cm/ 58”, 155cm/ 62”)

Yarn 

suitable for DK to Aran weight yarns,

approximately 150-200m/ 165-220y per 100g/3.5oz
shown in Folklore Yarns Traditions (red)
& Studio Donegal Soft Donegal (blue &white)

Yarn Quantities
full-length Bodice option requires approximately
5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9) 100g/ 3.5oz skeins 


Gauge
main fabric: 19 sts x 25 rows = 10cm x 10cm (4” x 4”), 

in stockinette 

edgings: 22 sts x 28 rows = 10cm x 10cm (4” x 4”), 

in 2x2 rib

Needles 

Needle A: circular needle, 4.5mm (US 7) in diameter, 

or as needed to meet gauge for main fabric

Needle B: circular needle, 3.5mm (US 4) in diameter, 

or as needed to meet gauge for edgings

Notions

cable needle; stitch markers, tapestry needle; scrap yarn; sewing needle; sewing thread; 8-10 sets of snap fasteners, decorative buttons or toggles as needed (alternatives & optional extras: zipper, backing ribbon)

Special Techniques

cables, short rows, provisional cast-on, bobbles, lifted increases, applied i-cord, basic hand stitching

Fit
This cardigan was designed to be worn with approximately 5-8cm / 2-3” of positive ease around the chest. However, zero ease also works, as well as wearing it oversized. Photos picture a cropped sample in Size 2 (blue cardigan) and a full-bodice sample in Size 3 (white cardigan) worn with 0-10cm/ 0-4” of ease by different models.