Wonderland Yarns Rainbows Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rainbows in the Gorge Cardigan by Sarah Keller

What is Being Made

Rainbows in the Gorge is a lightweight cardigan pattern designed by Sarah Keller for Wonderland Yarns. This garment features a flattering silhouette with waist detailing and a shawl collar, offering a sophisticated yet comfortable layering piece. The cardigan is sized to fit bust measurements of 32, 35, 38, and 41 inches, with finished bust measurements of 35, 38, 41, and 44 inches respectively. The design is intended to be worn with approximately 3 inches of positive ease for a relaxed, comfortable fit.

Construction Technique

This cardigan is worked side-to-side from cuff-to-cuff using a flat knitting method, meaning the piece is constructed horizontally rather than in the traditional top-down or bottom-up direction. This unique construction approach creates interesting design possibilities and allows for seamless color transitions throughout the garment. The pattern employs seaming to finish the garment, joining the pieces together after the flat knitting is complete. This side-to-side construction method also enables the designer to incorporate the rainbow color collection in a thoughtful, gradient-like progression from one cuff to the center back of the cardigan.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for showcasing the beautiful color variations of the yarn. The pattern incorporates several shaping techniques to achieve the flattering waist detailing:

• Increases: Both m1L (make 1 left) and m1R (make 1 right) techniques are used to add stitches strategically, creating shaping without visible holes
• Decreases: k2tog (knit 2 stitches together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases are employed for waist shaping
• Stitch Markers: The pattern requires 6 stitch markers, with at least one in a different color, to track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the construction
• Special Stitches: The pattern includes special stitch abbreviations (DS, KDS, and TS) that are detailed within the full pattern instructions

Yarn and Materials

Rainbows in the Gorge is designed to be worked in Wonderland Yarns "Cheshire Cat" fingering weight yarn, which is composed of 100% superwash merino fiber. The pattern calls for 20 skeins of 1 ounce each, with each skein containing 128 yards, for a total yardage of 2,560 yards. The yarn is shown in the "Shadow Rainbow" color collection from the "So Fond of Rainbows" color collection, allowing crafters to work with a coordinated palette of rainbow hues. The superwash merino fiber ensures the finished cardigan is easy to care for and maintain.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern requires US size 2 and US size 4 circular needles, each 40 inches long, or the size needed to achieve proper gauge. Circular needles are used here for their versatility in managing the width of the flat-knitted fabric. The gauge is established at 25 stitches and 37 rows equaling 4 inches in stockinette stitch when worked on the larger (US size 4) needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and fit, making a gauge swatch a recommended step before beginning the project.

Color and Design Features

A distinctive feature of this pattern is the use of the 20-skein rainbow color collection. Crafters are invited to arrange their rainbow colors in their preferred order, creating a personalized version of the cardigan. The pattern progresses from the first color at the cuff through to the sixteenth color at the center back, allowing the rainbow palette to be showcased throughout the garment. This flexibility in color arrangement makes each finished cardigan unique while maintaining the cohesive design vision of the pattern.