The test knit of my cardigan Ayaka has come to an end with some stunning results and I have released the pattern in English and Norwegian on Ravelry. I am so grateful to my test knitters for improving and correcting my pattern before its release. Ayaka was brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne, worn by jazz singer Anette Løvtangen over a black dress – with Make-up & Hair styling by Hina Suleman – at Bøler Church back in December last year.
Ayaka – colourful flower in Japanese – named after the climbing lace and cable pattern, is this A-line cardigan with a saddle shoulder that allows the sleeve pattern to end at the crew neck. Inspired by the luscious, vivid almost luminous violet colour of the yarn in silk and merino from Save the Yarn. Ayaka is worked in pieces for the ultimate fit.
Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9). Shown in size 1
Finished measurements:
Bust (closed): 82 (90, 98, 106, 114) (122, 130, 144, 158) cm/32.25 (35.5, 38.5, 41.75, 45) (48, 51.25, 56.75, 62.25)“
Bottom rib (closed): 101 (109, 117, 125, 133) (141, 149, 163, 176) cm/39.75 (43, 46, 49.25, 52.25) (55.5, 58.75, 64.25, 69.25)”
Bottom width (closed): 95 (103, 111, 119, 127) (135, 143, 157, 171) cm/37.5 (40.5, 43.75, 46.75, 50) (53.25, 56.25, 61.75, 67.25)“
Length: 70 (70, 72, 72, 74) (74, 76, 76, 76) cm/27.5 (27.5, 28.25, 28.25, 29.25) (29.25, 30, 30, 30)”
Sleeve length: 48 (49, 49, 49, 49) (50, 50, 50, 50) cm/19 (19.25, 19.25, 19.25, 19.25) (19.75, 19.75, 19.75, 19.75)“
Intended ease: +2-6 cm/1.5-4”. Sample shown is 82 cm/32.25” and worn with -12 cm/4.75” ease on model who stands 173 cm/5’8” tall.
Ease note: Can be worn with negative ease, if worked in at least 50% wool or another elastic fiber.
Yarn: Save the Yarn, Silk & Merino blend – 150 g – Violet (50% Silk, 50% Merino, 150 g, 600 m/656 yds).
The sample is knitted in Violet: 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 4, 5, 5) skeins; 1400 (1560, 1720, 1880, 1940) (2100, 2260, 2540, 2820) m/1531 (1706, 1881, 2056, 2122) (2297, 2472, 2778, 3084) yds.
https://savetheyarn.ch/shop/silk-merino-blend-150g-violet/
Or a similar sportweight yarn.
Alternative yarns
Madeline Tosh, Pashmina (75% Merino, 15% silk, 10% Cashmere, 115 g, 329 m/360 yds)
https://madelinetosh.com/collections/pashmina
The Fibre Co. Road to China Light (65% Baby Alpaca, 10% silk, 10% Camel, 10% Cashmere, 50 g, 145 m/159 yds).
https://thefibreco.com/product/road-china-light/
Manos del Uruguay, Fino (70% Extrafine Merino, 30% Silk, 100 g, 490 m/450 yds)
https://manos.uy/yarns/fino
Needles: 3.25 mm/US 3 straight needle.
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle for neckband (60 cm/24”)
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.
Notions: 5 buttons (10 mm/13/32” (16L)), stitch markers (removable), stitch holders and yarn needle.
Gauge: 25 sts and 34 rows in St st using 3.25 mm/US 3 needle measures 10 cm/4” square, after blocking.
23 sts in Sleeve pattern using 3.25 mm/US 3 needle measures 8 cm/3.25” across after blocking.
14 sts in Body pattern using 3.25 mm/US 3 needle measures 5 cm/2” across after blocking.
Notes: The jacket is knitted in pieces from the bottom up and seamed. The frontband is worked at the same time as each front and is a simplified pattern repeat of the sleeve pattern.
