Crocheted Sinister Catdigan by Diana Bensted

Crocheted Sinister Catdigan

Crochet
July 2020
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
19 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches
in sdc, in colourwork
3.5 mm (E)
5.0 mm (H)
2297 - 3500 yards (2100 - 3200 m)
sizes 1-17, 73cm/28.4in to 182cm/71in bust size
UK
English
This pattern is available for £6.00 GBP buy it now

This pattern is a crochet version of Marna Gilligan Sinister Catdigan - made with her approval.

A top down yoked cardigan with colourwork and ribbing, worked all in one with no sewing up required. The colourwork will be steeked (cut) and the button bands added after. There is an option to add pockets. Although using a lot of uncommon techniques there are video tutorials to help.

There are 17 sizes. Sizing is unconventional, because the cats colourwork dictates how many multiple of stitches you need. It goes up in 1 cat increments. (8cm/3.14in)

The sizes are actual measurements, and although there is stretch in the pattern, there is less in the yoke, so I recommend using measurement E which is where the yoke goes around your arms - this is the place where you do not want to be restricted! If you are between sizes I would go for the larger one.

There are notes after the body for how to create waist shaping, if you would like, but as the body is in tweed stitch it is quite stretchy so may not need this. Where there are multiple sizes accounted for I have used the following brackets.
1(2,3,4,5)(6,7,8.9)(10,11,12,13)(14,15,16,17)

It is a very good idea to check your tension over a few pattern repeats in the colourwork. Also to practice steeking as this is a very unusual technique for crochet. See tutorials for details. Tension is before blocking.
Tension for Rib over 10cm - 3.5mm hook, 23st x 25 rows (rows are the more important measurement)
Tension for colourwork over 10cm - 5mm hook, 19sdc x 20 rows (single colour 23 rows)
Tension for tweed stitch over 10cm - 3.5mm hook, 15dc (&15ch) x 27 rows

You will need 3 colours and to choose where these will be before you start. Yarn A is the main body colour, Yarn B is for the Yoke, and Yarn C is for the cats - or dogs… You will need to choose which colour for the neckline, hem, cuffs and button bands, personally I would have contrast bands in yarn B, which means starting and continuing the yoke with that yarn. You may prefer to start with Yarn A, and have the bands all in the main colour. Please not that when making your choice, the button band utilises surface crochet so using a contrast to the main colour (as is my preference) might be easier!

The last 3 pictures here, are the size chart in cm, size chart in inches, and the yarn requirements chart.