The Botanist
Worked in Pioneer, my Botanist cardigan is an update of the classic V-neck Aran cardigan, often knit in heavy cream wool, with big wooden buttons, bold, diamond shape cables, and tons of texture.
I wanted to take that traditional sweater and lighten it up - making it a little more modern, feminine, and wearable. I designed a mix of textures and cables that read as soft and delicate, and I envisioned my sweater worn short, with a bit of ease. To round out my vision, I played with the collar - it’s not a shawl, but the deeper top of the button band is a look I’m in love with, as it feels modern and traditional all at once.
The Botanist is knit in one piece from the bottom up, then separated and worked flat in 3 pieces from armholes to shoulders. Sleeves are worked flat and set into armholes.
Cables are both charted and written, and the pattern is designed so that modifications to either length or width are easy to add. Notes in the pattern include my thoughts on when and how to make changes or add additional shaping.
Images © Emily Myerscough
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Yarn: A Verb for Keeping Warm Horizon (100% Merino wool; 160yds/146m per 1.76oz/50g skein). Sample shown in Vineyard.
If substituting yarn, a solid, tweed, or subtle semisolid will showcase both pattern and details. Note that cables can add weight or grow over time if worked in a heavy fiber. A light worsted or a thick DK weight wool, in a fiber without much weight/drape will keep its shape best.
Gauge: 20sts/28rows per 4”/10cm in double seed stitch and reverse stockinette.
Needles: US 6/4.0mm, US 5/3.75mm
Sizes:
37(39,42,44,47)(51,55,59)“
94(99,106.75,111.75,119.75)(129.5,139.75,149.75)cm
Sizes based on circumference around bust, worn closed. For fit shown, I suggest the choosing size that allows for about 4-5”/10-12.75cm of positive ease, based on bust.
Yardage:
1350(1450,1600,1700,1775)(1875,2000,2150)yds
1235(1325,1465,1555,1625)(1715,1830,1965)m