Make Your Own Basics: The crewneck cardigan

by

Make Your Own Basics: The crewneck cardigan

The second of the three cardigans I think any well-rounded closet should include (the first mentioned being the V-neck cardigan) is the ultra-classic crewneck cardigan. Of course, the key ingredient with this one is the neckline itself — the shaping needs to be impeccable, with the front neck lying flat even when not buttoned (rather than poking you in the neck or flapping awkwardly forward at the top). Here are some top candidates for knitting your own—

TOP: Eva by Kim Hargreaves is like the dream vintage-store score, perfectly shaped in every regard and written for a lace-weight mohair blend; set-in sleeves, worked flat and seamed*

MIDDLE LEFT: Shore Cardigan by Carrie Bostick Hoge is the quintessential worsted-weight stockinette cardigan; top-down seamless, raglan sleeved, with that tidy garter-stitch border detail at the edgings** (Not being a fan of the droopy hem trend, I personally would omit the short-row shaping there)

MIDDLE RIGHT: Dory by Amy Christoffers is also worsted weight, with just a bit of texture on the yoke; knitted flat and seamed, with set-in sleeves (free pattern)

BOTTOM: Trillium by Michele Wang is one of my personal favorites; worsted, bottom-up seamless, it has a circular yoke with a chevron pattern that could also be easily omitted

.

*Unfortunately only available in the book Smoulder, but it contains several pitch-perfect basic cardigans, among other things.

**Currently only available in the book Swoon Maine, but expected to be sold individually in the near future.

.

PREVIOUSLY in Make Your Own Basics: The V-neck cardigan

7 thoughts on “Make Your Own Basics: The crewneck cardigan”

  2. I knit Shore this past winter and it is one of my favorite cardigans ever! Used Quinces’ Owl Tweet and buttons from Fringe Supply. :) I made it extra long to wear with tights and be super cozy. Am planning a shorter version also, and this time will leave out the short rows. It’s a great pattern that can be easily altered and depending on the yarn you choose, have so many different looks.

  3. How do I decide how much ease to have in a cardigan? I like it to button up but not stretch the button holes. ( small hips compared to bust is my fit issue) Trillium for example says 31/2 to 51/2″ ease. How does the fit I want translate to ease? And is it different for a round neck vs a V neck?

    • Ease just means how the garment’s measurements differ from your body measurements — and it’s generally given just as the bust dimension. Zero ease means they’re the same. Negative ease would be a fitted sweater that stretches slightly across the bust. And positive ease means the sweater is bigger than your bust measurement. What size you choose depends entirely on how you want it to fit, and the best way to understand your preferences, in my opinion, is to take your measurements and then measure the garments in your closet and think about how they fit you versus how you want your new knit to fit.

  4. Nice round-up. I love Eva too, especially the yarn choice. I finally finished my first true basic knit, an Aran sweater that I think will stay with me for a long time. The next piece would be a cardigan in my basic wardrobe, it is just the perfect layering piece.

  6. Pingback: Make Your Own Basics: The tank top (knitted and sewn) | Fringe Association

Comments are closed.