Espresso by Lisa Lloyd

Espresso

Knitting
April 2008
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
22 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette stitch with larger needles
US 3 - 3.25 mm
US 5 - 3.75 mm
1300 - 1800 yards (1189 - 1646 m)
Chest 38.5 (40, 42.5, 44, 46.5, 48, 49.5)" (98 [101.5, 108, 112, 118, 122, 125.5]cm)
English

Pattern Description from A Fine Fleece: “Some sweater concepts are my homage to iconic fashion moments - in this case, the Chanel jacket. Since this cardigan is strictly feminine, I needed to explore contrasting imagery in other ways. Fiber and color will do that endlessly. The original model idea and the reason for the name stems from chocolate brown wool and the chic allure of a sidewalk cafe. The fiber I had intended to use for the project, a decadent blend of dark brown merino and alpaca, proved too dense in color for the subtle cable detail. The yarn also had a matte finish and, as lovely as it was, the lack of light reflection intensified the muddiness of the cable. The Border Leicester used here, however, has a shimmer that reflects light off the edges of the cables so even though you typically wouldn’t knit a cabled sweater out a yarn this dark, it works. The alpaca blend yarn in the pink model also gives a sheen to the cables. Its super-girlie color harkens to the amazing tweedy boucle fabrics used in classic Chanel jackets. I tried to add my own little touches of detail with the back ‘vent’ and the cabled cuffs and collar. The cardigan would be just as chic sans collar and worn with loads of pearls, of course.”

Skill Level: Intermediate

Finished Measurements:

  • Chest 38.5 (40, 42.5, 44, 46.5, 48, 49.5)“ (98 101.5, 108, 112, 118, 122, 125.5cm)
  • Length 21.25 (21.25, 22.25, 22.25, 23, 23, 23)“ (54 54, 56.5, 56.5, 58.5, 58.5, 58.5cm)

Yarn: #3 light

  • 1300 (1400, 1500, 1600, 1650, 1750, 1800) yds (1189 1280, 1372, 1463, 1509, 1600, 1646m) DK weight
  • 6 (7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8) skeins Nashua Creative Focus Worsted, 3.5 oz (100g) skeins, each approximately 220 yds (201m), 75% wool, 25% alpaca, Carnation

Needles & Notions:

  • US size 3 (3.25mm) knitting needles
  • US size 5 (3.75mm) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
  • US size 3 (3.25mm) circular needles, 24” (60cm) long
  • Cable needle
  • Stitch holders
  • Tapestry needle
  • 7 buttons, 5/8” (1.6cm) in diameter

ERRATA: This pattern has errata. The website that provides errata for this book is currently down. Please check the A Fine Fleece group for solutions.