Soft Contrast Cardigan: perfect for the school run!

I've been busy over the past few months working on secret projects, so it's a delight to finally be able to share one with you!

My Soft Contrast Cardigan* is right up my street: longline cardigans are the perfect casual piece to have on hand for quick trips out of the house or for cozying up with a cup of coffee. I designed the cardigan with the school run in mind - a garment to have to hand when you need to nip out of the house, but it's just too warm to need a coat. This cardigan uses marling for a blocked look that creates a soft contrast between the cream and the black (not tried marling before? It's really easy, you just work with two strands of yarn at the same time to mix the colours up).

If you fancy a brighter look, you could try marling coloured yarns to make a really eye-catching garment.

One other feature this cardigan has is a deal-maker for me: pockets! I love a cardigan with pockets, so had to add some - perfect for carrying your keys and maybe a snack for a quick trip out of the house.

The yarn for the Soft Contrast Cardigan is West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 ply,* whish is my favourite sock yarn. The yarn combines British wool with nylon, perfect for making a garment that is simultaneously warm and breathable, and will stand up to wear and tear.

You can get the pattern for Soft Contrast Cardigan in the August 2020 issue of I Like Knitting, an ezine that is available via a subscription model. If you would like to support me while you subscribe, please consider using my affiliate link.*

Want to add the pattern to your Ravelry favourites or queue? You can find the pattern page here.

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Time: 1 month pattern

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: Finished Bust Size 30.25 (33.75, 38.25, 41.75, 46.25, 49.75, 54.25, 57.75, 62.25, 65.75)” to fit bust 28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64)”

0-2.25” positive ease recommended.

Shown in size 33.75”

Gauge: 18 sts and 25 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st using yarn held double after wet blocking
Materials

Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4-ply (75% Wool, 25% Nylon; 436 yards [400 meters]/100 grams): 010 Milk Bottle (A, 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5)  balls), 099 Liquorice (B, 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6) balls)

Needles: US size 8 (5.0 mm) 40” and 16” circular, US size 7 (4.5 mm) DPNs

Notions: Markers (6), removable markers (2), spare needles/waste yarn for holding live sts, spare needle for joining rows of live sts

Pattern Notes
This cardigan is knitted from the top down with set-in sleeves.

Pockets are worked into the fabric of the cardigan towards the hem.

The stitches for the sleeves are picked up around the armholes and the sleeves are knitted down to the cuffs.

The cardigan is finished with an applied i-cord edging that is worked at the end.

The cardigan is knitted using two strands of 4 ply yarn held double, with the top and bottom sections being marled in two strands of the same color and the middle portion being knitted in one strand of each color.

*Affiliate link.

All images copyright I Like Knitting.