Swans Island Lakeside Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Swans Island Lakeside Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Lakeside Cardigan is an intermediate-level women's cardigan designed by Hanna Maciejewska. This garment is available in six sizes ranging from XS to XXL, with finished bust measurements from 32 inches to 52 inches and finished lengths from approximately 29¾ inches to 33¼ inches. The cardigan features a classic button-front closure design with a collar and is constructed using premium Swans Island Natural Colors Collection yarn in a worsted weight.

Construction Techniques

The Lakeside Cardigan is worked seamlessly from the top down, a popular technique that allows for easy fitting adjustments and eliminates the need for seaming. The pattern uses a distinctive construction method where the collar is worked in two pieces from a center provisional cast-on. Back shoulder stitches are cast on provisionally, and stitches are picked up from the side of the collar to form the back neck. The back is worked to the end of armhole shaping, then placed on hold while the fronts are picked up from the back provisional shoulder cast-ons and worked to match. Once the front and back armhole shaping is complete, all pieces are joined and the body is worked back and forth in one piece to the beginning of the pocket openings.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

This pattern incorporates cable stitches as a primary design element. The 26-stitch body cable measures 2¾ inches wide when worked with the larger needles. The pattern also features reverse stockinette stitch, which is created by purling on the right side and knitting on the wrong side when working back and forth, or by purling every round when working in the round. This creates a textured, recessed background that allows the cables to stand out prominently. Standard abbreviations used throughout include knit (k), knit 2 together (k2tog), knit into the front and back of the next stitch (kfb), slip stitches (sl), make 1 left (m1L), make 1 right (m1R), slip-slip-knit decreases (ssk), and slip-slip-purl decreases (ssp).

Materials and Tools

The Lakeside Cardigan is knit using Swans Island Natural Colors Collection yarn in worsted weight, which is 100% Merino wool. Each skein contains 100 grams and 250 yards. The colorway shown in the pattern is YW221 Seasmoke. The pattern requires 7 to 11 skeins depending on the size being knitted, ranging from 7 skeins for the XS size to 11 skeins for the XXL size.

Needles required include US size 8 (5mm) 32-inch circular needles and a set of five double-pointed needles, as well as US size 7 (4.5mm) 32-inch circular needles and a matching set of five double-pointed needles, or sizes as needed to obtain the correct gauge. Additional tools needed are a cable needle for working the cable stitches, stitch markers in two colors, a removable stitch marker, stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming if needed.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 5¼ stitches and 7½ rows per 1 inch when working reverse stockinette stitch with the larger needles. The 26-stitch body cable measures 2¾ inches wide when worked with the larger needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and finished dimensions.