It’s finished! I love this cardigan. Knitting the sweater body in seed stitch was time-consuming – I questioned its value at some points – but it made for an extra-squishy final product. Given that Jane Richmond seriously downplays her sedum sweater pattern (“just some notes”) I thought the pattern was helpful and easy to follow. The Green Mountain Spinnery wool/mohair that I bought for $6/skein at Soft Horizons’ clearance sale was more than worth the money. I would knit with it again. If you’re not a knitter, just enjoy the photos. If you are, keep scrolling for detailed pattern notes.
- Does anyone know the architectural name for these stacked row houses in Boston? I’ve been calling them “layer cake houses.” Descriptive, but likely not correct.
SUMMARY OF EDITS
1. Body knit with 10.5 needles, bottom/top ribbing knit with 8 needles, and button band/wrists knit with 7 needles.
2. Gauge was 14-15 stitches per 4 inches
3. I knit the collar first, and then ran the button band up the entire vertical edge of the sweater
- The button band pulls together slightly with sz 7 needles, but it’s the lesser of the two evils. Larger needle sizes result in a less structured band that doesn’t provide enough stiffness to support the buttons
Pulling up the collar against that Boston breeze
Unrelated Edith portrait
These notes are intended for a small-size sweater (32″ bust) knit with sz. 10.5 needles at a gauge of 15 stitches per 4 inches.
Sweater body: CO 46. Row 1: seed stitch. Row 2: K1, pm, seed stitch 8, pm, seed stitch 28, pm, seed stitch 8, pm, K1. Row 3: increase at each edge and on either side of each marker. Row 4: Work seed stitch. Repeat rows 3 & 4 until 20 st. before first marker. Then repeat rows 3 & 4, but stop increasing at neck edge; only increase either side of markers. Do this until 30 st. before first marker. Put sleeves on scrap yarn (46 st. each). Continue working the body for 30 rows. Place a marker at the exact center of the back and decrease according to meganimal’s notes on the sedum sweater (see #3). Knit 6-7 rows in between each decrease and increase row, or you’ll get some puckering. I started the bottom ribbing 80 rows after placing the sleeves on scrap yarn. Switch to sz. 8 needles for the ribbing.
Collar: Using sz. 8 needles, pick up 101 stitches. K4, work in 3 x 3 ribbing until 4 st remain, p4 (this extra edge stitch will preserve the look of 3 x 3 ribbing even after you attach the button band to either side of the collar). I worked the collar for 30 rows. I would’ve done a little longer if I’d had more yarn.
Sleeves: Using sz 10.5 needles, pick up stitches from scrap yarn (placing marker at center of underarm) and work about 22 rows. Decrease 1 st either side of marker. Work decrease round two more times, each one after knitting about 22 rows. After working 90 rows, switch to sz. 7 needles for wrist ribbing. I worked wrist ribbing in 2 x 2. The sleeves stretched 1-2 inches after blocking.
Button band: Using sz. 7 needles, pick up 135 stitches along sweater edge and work in 3 x 3 ribbing. I worked the button band for 25 rows before binding off.
Hello autumn!
In Somerville, we call these stacked houses triple deckers. I love that sweater. It’s my first fall here as well, and I’m going to get started on that sweater, even if my knitting skills aren’t quite there yet!
gorgeous. love this — and it looks fantastic on you. thanks for these detailed notes! filing this info away for when i finally knit my own sedum.
…and row house is right, or townhouse – very similar. both commonly are multiple levels (layers) and multiple family dwellings. they build up, not out. but i like the idea of there being a fat layer of chocolate icing or something in between each house!
katie, i am obsessed with your sweater. it looks awesome. and i love your couch!!! more pics of the place please! maybe i’ll take up knitting… i also love edith and her random portrait.