Trendsetter Yarns J Candyland & Nuance - Purl Ridge "V" Cardigan

Trendsetter Yarns J Candyland & Nuance Purl Ridge "V" Cardigan

What is Being Made

This is a V-neck cardigan designed by Barry Klein, featuring a classic button-front construction with a straight body silhouette. The cardigan is available in four sizes ranging from Small to Extra Large, fitting bust measurements of 37 inches (Small) through 58 inches (Extra Large). The design showcases a striking striped colorwork pattern that combines two distinct Trendsetter Yarns products for visual interest and texture variation.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, meaning pieces are knitted individually from the cast-on edge upward and then assembled together. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional row-by-row construction. The design incorporates horizontal stripes throughout, created by strategically changing between the main color yarn and contrast color yarn at specific intervals. The stripe pattern alternates between stockinette stitch and reverse stockinette stitch sections, creating subtle ridge textures that add visual dimension to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

• Ribbed Stitch (Rib St.): A 1x1 knit-purl alternating pattern used for the ribbed edging at the lower body. This elastic stitch is worked for 1 inch at the cast-on edge using smaller needles (#9) to create a fitted waistband that hugs the body.
• Stockinette Stitch (Stock St.): The primary stitch throughout the cardigan body, created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows. This creates the classic smooth, V-shaped texture on the front of the fabric.
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Rev. Stock St.): Used in alternating 2-row stripes, this stitch is the reverse of stockinette, with purl bumps facing outward on the right side. The contrast between stockinette and reverse stockinette sections creates the distinctive purl ridge texture that gives this cardigan its name.

Stripe Pattern Details

The cardigan features a complex striping sequence that repeats throughout the body. The pattern alternates between longer sections of main color stockinette stitch (ranging from 1 inch to 4 inches) and shorter 2-row contrast color sections worked in reverse stockinette. This creates a rhythmic visual pattern while maintaining structural integrity. The pattern notes emphasize embracing the natural color variations in the yarns—Candyland changes shades unpredictably from skein to skein, while Nuance produces elongated color shifts. Rather than attempting to match colors across different pieces, the design encourages knitters to celebrate these variations for a unique, one-of-a-kind finished garment.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The cardigan uses two Trendsetter Yarns products. The main color (MC) is Trendsetter Candyland #2924, requiring 6 skeins for Small, 7 skeins for Medium, 8 skeins for Large, and 9 skeins for Extra Large (50 grams per skein). The contrast color (CC) is Trendsetter Nuance #101, requiring 1 skein for all sizes (100 grams per skein). Both yarns are worked together in the stripe pattern, with the Nuance yarn creating the distinctive ridge texture through its use in reverse stockinette sections.

Needles: The pattern calls for US size #9 and #10 knitting needles. The smaller #9 needles are used for the initial ribbed edging to create a snug fit, while the larger #10 needles are used for the main stockinette body to achieve the correct gauge.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 15 stitches equals 1 inch when working stockinette stitch with the #10 needle and Candyland yarn. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the cardigan to fit correctly across the bust. The four available sizes accommodate a range of body types, with the straight body design providing a classic, versatile fit suitable for layering.