Twist Collective Asher Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Twist Collective Asher Cardigan: Seamless Top-Down Knit Coat

What Is Being Made

Asher is a sophisticated cardigan coat designed by Christa Giles, available in seven sizes ranging from 29 ¼" to 61 ¾" bust measurement. This garment is intended to be worn with 3–6" of positive ease for a comfortable, layered fit. The coat features a distinctive hood construction and functional patch pockets, making it both a stylish and practical outerwear piece.

Construction Technique and Approach

This cardigan employs a top-down seamless construction, which allows knitters to adjust sleeve and body lengths to achieve a custom fit. The design begins at the hood and progresses downward to the centre back neck. The innovative pocket placement involves working pockets first and securing them on stitch holders before the main body is cast on at the front edge of the hood. Stitches are then picked up around the base of the hood, and the coat is worked from the neck downwards. Pockets are joined to the body at their base before the bottom band is worked, and again joined at their sides when working the front band. This method eliminates the need for seaming while providing excellent shaping and fit control.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

Asher features a slipped rib stitch pattern that adds visual texture and subtle sophistication to the finished garment. The slipped rib is worked in two variations:

• Flat version (Multiple of 4 stitches + 3): Row 1 (RS) begins K1, *sl 1 wyif, k3; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, sl 1 wyif, k1. Row 2 is worked as *K3, sl 1 wyif; repeat to last 3 stitches, k3. All slipped stitches are slipped purlwise unless otherwise indicated.
• In-the-round version (Multiple of 4 stitches): Round 1 is worked as [K1, sl 1 wyif, k2] to end. Round 2 is [P3, sl 1 wyib]. This variation accommodates the seamless, circular construction.

The slipped stitches create a refined texture while the ribbing provides subtle elasticity and structure to the garment.

Techniques Used

This pattern showcases several advanced knitting techniques:

• Seamless construction: The entire coat is worked without seams, creating a smooth, professional finish.
• Top-down shaping: Beginning at the hood and working downward allows for intuitive adjustments to fit and length.
• Worked flat and in the round: Different sections utilize both flat and circular knitting methods, with the pockets and certain sections worked flat while the main body is worked in the round on circular needles.
• Stripes: The pattern incorporates color work using a main color (MC) and contrasting color (CC) for visual interest and pocket edging.
• Stitch pickup: Stitches are carefully picked up around the hood base and pocket edges, a technique that requires precision and understanding of gauge.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The suggested yarn is Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky, a luxurious blend of 85% wool and 15% alpaca. Each skein contains 108 yards (98 meters) and weighs 3 ½ ounces (100 grams). Yardage requirements vary by size: 8 skeins are needed for the smallest size, increasing to 20 skeins for the largest size, all worked in 08 Brown (MC). One additional skein of 38 Stone Blue (CC) is required for pocket edging and color accents.

The pattern calls for multiple circular needles in different sizes to accommodate the various sections:

• Size 10 ¾ US (7 mm) circular needle, 40" / 100 cm long: Used for initial sections and larger circumferences.
• Size 11 US (8 mm) circular needle, 32" / 80 cm long: Employed for mid-body sections.
• Size 11 US (8 mm) circular needle, 16" / 40 cm long: Used for smaller circumferences such as sleeves and neckline work.

The use of multiple needle sizes and lengths