C A R DIGA N S

Lou isa Hard ing

INTRODUCTION........6

Classics.......8

Marguerite.......10 Willow.......14 Sabrina.......20 Gypsy.......24 Sylph.......30 Otello.......36 Marmee.......40

Edgings.......46

Tide......48 Muse.......54 Ginger......58 Fritillary.......62 Augustine......68 Minnie.......74

Lace, Cables,Fair Isle.......80

Silver.......82 Waterfall......88 Masquerade.......94 Vertigo.....100 Kitty.....106 Alwar.......112

Dressing Up.......116
Cecile......118 Orchis.......124 Lacewing......128 Antillean.......132 Viola.......136 Contarini.......142 Sofia......148 Bundi.......152

GENERAL INFORMATION.......156 ABBREVIATIONS......158 FINISHING TECHNIQUES......158 YARN INFORMATION........159 YARN DISTRIBUTORS.......160 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.......162

INTRODUCTION

Being a girl who is actually never without a cardigan, of course I was excited by the idea of a cardigan book.

hile imagining this book, I started to think about how much I love the humble cardigan. My cardigan love affair started as a teenager. I remember taking one of my grandmothers cast-offsa black, machine-knitted number made from courtelle. I made that cardigan my own by customizing it with vintage jet buttons. I loved that humble cardigan and wore it constantly, dressing it up and down depending on my moodwith only a bra underneath to make it sexy and with a mans shirt and belt to punk it up. I wore and wore it until it started to fall to pieces, and instead of wearing it out I wore it at home as my special comfy cardi when relaxing or feeling poorly. Today the hand-knitted cardigan bears little resemblance to my grandmothers dictionary interpretation: a long-sleeved knitted

jacket that fastens up the front. Today the humble cardigan can take on many different looks, and in this book I have explored many interpretations of that same knitted jacket that fastens up the front. To me the image that springs to mind of the traditional cardigan is not a attering picture, usually the cardigan is tightly tted and knitted: very often in cream or another mundane color, with large cabled patterning; there are lots of buttons down the front, which are then securely fastened over an ample bosom and not worn by anyone under the age of 80. Not a attering image or look for most women. As a curvy cardiganwearing woman myself, I have come to realize that the cardigan needs to be a freer garment, one that will disguise our female aws and enhance our charming assets.

n this book you will nd very few traditional button-upthe-front cardigans.I have split the book into four chapters. Classics centers around patterns for the classic cardigan shapes (V-neck, crew neck, and collared), but all the patterns have a small twistthree-quarter-length sleeves to showcase that beautiful bracelet, attering one-button fastenings, darted waist-shaping to enhance the female curve. All are simple and straightforward garments that would be useful additions to any wardrobe. The next chapter, Edgings, showcases cardigans that have interesting edging details, some knitted at the same time as the garment and some knitted in contrasting or complementary yarn and stitched on. All are simple to make but the nished result looks elegant and sophisticated. Lace, Cables, Fair Islethis chapter features cardigans with added surface patterninglace, cables, or Fair Isle. The nal chapter, Dressing Up, takes the sweater out on the town and shows that the cardigan is indeed the ideal garment when dressing up, whether for a party, special occasion, or just to spice up your favorite jeans and T-shirt combination. Here we set about to dispel the myth of the cardigan as solely the work-a-day staple, bringing it into the light for a fresh, new turn. The designs in this book have been taken from my yarn magazine collections. Each season I design my collections

around an inspiration point, a central theme, which helps me pinpoint the yarns I want to use and the color palette I want to create. Since the patterns were rst published some of the yarns and shades have become discontinued and availability may be limited, please refer to page 160 for more information regarding the interchangeability of yarns from the ever evolving range of Louisa Harding Yarns. You will nd at the beginning of each pattern I explain the inspiration behind the design, the collection it has come from and the reason I wanted to include it in this compilation of cardigan patterns. Please have fun with the patterns! In some instances we have re-photographed the design using a totally different yarn to show how just a simple yarn change can totally alter the garments look. Do try to think outside of your preconceptions of this knitted jacket that fastens up the front. In the patterns I have shown distinctive fastening interpretations, button placements, or brooches in favor of buttons. Add femininity to your garment by adding ribbons to the neck or waist and tying them into a lovely attering bow, or fasten only the buttons at the waist, enhancing your ladylike charms. I hope you enjoy this book and make the humble cardigan your friend. I think they are versatile, sexy and fun, and I truly am never without one.

Classic
he patterns here are all great examples of classic cardigan shapes. You will find patterns for V-neck, crew-neck and collared cardigans, however, all the patterns have a small twistthree-quarter length sleeves to ensure you showcase that beautiful bracelet, flattering one-button fastenings, darted waist shaping. This chapter has simple and straightforward garmentsall of them essential additions to any wardrobe. Classic does not have to be staid, so choose a beautiful or interesting yarn to knit your cardigan in. Several of the patterns here exemplify how a change of yarn can completely transform the look of your garment. When you start with a classic and well-designed cardigan, you can make it your own by your yarn choice and how you customize it by adding a brooch or a belt. Classic can be contemporary and sexy.

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Embroidery

Photocopy, enlarging rose motif template to desired size. Trace this motif onto tissue paper, then pin the tissue paper onto right side of jacket front. Using contrasting yarn, embroider rose motif to front of jacket using back stitch.

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