Twist Collective Andover Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Twist Collective Andover Cardigan by Jean Chung

What is Being Made

The Andover is a button-front cardigan designed by Jean Chung for Twist Collective. This knitted garment is intended to be worn with 2 inches of positive ease and is available in six sizes, ranging from a 30 ¼ inch bust (extra small) to a 50 ¼ inch bust (extra large). The finished length varies from 22 inches in the smallest size to 26 ½ inches in the largest size, making it a versatile piece suitable for various body types and style preferences. The cardigan features a structured silhouette with a buttoned front closure and is worked from the bottom up.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Andover cardigan employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the body is knitted starting from the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders and neckline. This approach allows for easier fitting adjustments and straightforward shaping throughout the project. The pattern includes several key construction techniques:

• Pocket placement: The cardigan features set-in pockets that are marked during the body construction using waste yarn. Stitches are temporarily held on waste yarn and later worked into the finished garment, creating functional pockets integrated into the design.
• Armhole shaping: The armholes are shaped by binding off stitches at the beginning of rows, with the armhole depth ranging from 6 ½ inches to 9 inches depending on the size.
• Shoulder shaping: Shoulders are shaped by binding off stitches in stages at the beginning of rows, creating a fitted shoulder line. The pattern specifies binding off 10 to 15 stitches depending on the size.
• Back neck shaping: The back neckline is created by binding off a center group of stitches and working both sides of the back separately with separate balls of yarn, allowing for proper shaping of the neck opening.
• Two-sided construction: The right front is worked by joining yarn to held stitches at the center front edge, demonstrating the careful attention to construction order in this pattern.

Stitches Used

The Andover features the Broken Rib pattern as its primary stitch pattern. This pattern is worked differently depending on whether it is being worked in rows (flat) or in the round:

• Broken Rib in rows (over an odd number of stitches): Row 1 (right side) is worked entirely in knit stitches. Row 2 alternates knit and purl stitches, beginning and ending with knit (K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to end). This creates a subtle textured fabric with a broken vertical line effect.
• Broken Rib in the round (over an even number of stitches): Round 1 alternates knit and purl stitches around (*K1, P1; repeat from * to end). Round 2 is worked entirely in knit stitches. This variation maintains the broken rib texture when working circularly, such as for ribbing or trim.

The Broken Rib pattern creates a fabric that is more elastic and textured than stockinette stitch while remaining relatively simple to execute, making it an excellent choice for a cardigan that requires both structure and comfort.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Andover is designed to be knitted with Valley Yarns Amherst, a 100% Merino Wool yarn. Each skein contains 109 yards (100 meters) and weighs 1 ¾ ounces (50 grams). The project requires 10 to 15 skeins depending on the size being knitted, with larger sizes requiring more yardage. Merino wool is prized for its softness, breathability, and temperature-regulating properties, making it an ideal fiber choice for a wearable cardigan. The pattern specifies the colorway Soft Brown for the photographed sample.

Needles: The pattern calls for a Size 9 US (5.5 mm) circular needle measuring 32 inches (80 cm) long or longer. Circular needles of this length are used for knitting the body in rows, and the longer length accommodates the full width of the cardigan body. The pattern notes that needle size should be adjusted if necessary to obtain the correct gauge, emphasizing the importance of gauge swat