Twist Collective Sway Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Sway Cardigan by Kate Gilbert

What is Being Made

Sway is a sophisticated cardigan pattern from Twist Collective, designed by Kate Gilbert. This garment features a modern geometric construction with triangular front panels and a classic cardigan silhouette. The cardigan is available in five sizes, ranging from 35 ½ inches to 51 ½ inches bust measurement, with corresponding lengths from 22 ¼ inches to 29 ¼ inches. The design is intended to be worn with 0–4 inches of ease, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and styling preferences.

Construction Techniques

Sway employs a bottom-up, worked-flat construction method with all pieces knitted separately and then seamed together. This approach allows for greater control over shaping and color placement throughout the garment.

The Front panels are uniquely designed as triangles that are worked from the lower front corner upward toward the raglan seam and diagonal side seam. An i-cord edging is worked along with the Fronts, creating a finished, decorative border. This same i-cord edging is subsequently added to the lower Back and Back neck during the finishing process, providing a cohesive design element throughout the cardigan.

The Sleeves are worked from an i-cord cast-on, establishing a consistent aesthetic with the front edging. The sleeve construction incorporates strategic increases to achieve the proper fit and drape. The raglan shaping is accomplished through a series of decrease rows worked on the right side, with decreases positioned at the edges (k1, ssk at the beginning and k2tog, k1 at the end) to create clean, finished raglan lines.

The pattern recommends a specialized knitting technique for optimal color distribution: working from two balls of yarn simultaneously, alternating every 2 rows. This method is particularly effective with hand-dyed yarns that feature significant color variation, ensuring a balanced and pleasing distribution of color throughout the finished garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used in Sway is Stockinette Stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a neat appearance on the right side and bumpy texture on the wrong side. This stitch choice allows the color variations in hand-dyed yarn to take center stage without competing visual elements.

Shaping is achieved through strategic increases and decreases:

• M1L (Make One Left) and M1R (Make One Right) increases are used to add stitches while maintaining a neat appearance
• Ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) decreases create the raglan shaping
• I-cord edging provides a decorative, finished border throughout the design

The pattern includes increase rows worked at varying intervals depending on the size being knitted. For example, the Back piece requires increases every 10th row (8th, 8th, 6th, or 4th row depending on size) for multiple repeats, followed by additional increases at different intervals. This graduated approach to shaping ensures proper fit across all five size options.

Materials and Tools

The suggested yarn for Sway is Manos del Uruguay Clara, a premium hand-dyed yarn offering 385 yards (352 meters) per 3 ½ ounce (100 gram) hank. This yarn is composed of 100% Superwash Merino Wool, providing softness, durability, and easy care. The pattern calls for 3 to 6 hanks depending on the size selected, with larger sizes requiring more yardage. The sample shown in the pattern was worked in colorway #C24 Black Forest.

For needles, the pattern specifies a Size 6 US (4 mm) circular needle measuring 32 inches (80 cm) long. Knitters should adjust needle size as necessary to obtain the correct gauge, ensuring proper fit and drape of the finished cardigan.

Additional notions required include waste yarn for provisional cast-on, stitch holders, and tapestry needles for seaming. The provisional cast-on method allows for seamless integration of the i-cord edging during finishing, while stitch holders keep stitches secure during the construction process.

Design Considerations

Sway is specifically designed as an ideal showcase for hand-dyed yarns with substantial color variation. The geometric construction and