In homage to a certain Ms. Swift’s Folklore, I’m pleased to introduce you to the Betty Set! (If you get it, you get it!) It includes my best-selling cardigans: the Aosta Cardigan, the Aosta Cardigan (Chunky Edition) and the Lucca Cardigan. They all feature gentle V-necklines and are worked from the top-down in rows in all-over Andalusian stitch. The sleeves are worked in the round. If you’re new to this type of knitting, they’re a pretty beginner-friendly option.

Aosta Cardigan

Materials

You will need 6mm and 7mm long circular needles and, if you prefer to use them to make the sleeves, some 6mm and 7mm shorter circular or double pointed knitting needles. You will also need 8 stitch markers and a darning needle. I used a needle with an 80cm cord throughout, but you may wish to buy a longer and shorter one if you prefer, though they are by no means necessary.

You will need approx. 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 skeins of the Petite Wool or the Meriwool by We Are Knitters or any alternative yarn that matches the necessary tension. The sample garment is made with the Petite Wool in the shade Natural, which I have dyed using avocado skins and pits.

The sizes XS (S) M (L) XL are intended to fit a bust measurement of roughly 85-90 (90-95) 95-100 (100-105) 105-110 cm with around 5-10cm positive ease. The fit is meant to be fairly relaxed. For reference, my bust measures c. 90cm and I made the size S.

Lucca Cardigan

Materials

To make the Lucca Cardigan, you will need stitch markers, a darning needle, some spare needles or threads of yarn to hold the sleeves whilst you work the body, and some 5mm and 4mm circular needles. If you prefer to use them, you will also need 5mm and 4mm double-pointed knitting needles for the sleeves, though you can also use the ‘magic loop’ method or a shorter (say, 20cm) circular needle.  Again, I used an 80cm cord-needle throughout.

You will need 4 (5) (5) (5) skeins / 848 (1,060) 1,060 (1,060) metres of We Are Knitters Pima Cotton (or any other yarn that meets the stated gauge) to make the cardigan.

You will also need a minimum of 5 buttons measuring 15mm in diameter. If you choose to make the body of your cardigan longer, you may need more.

The sizes S (M) L (XL) are intended to fit a bust measurement of roughly 90-95 (95-100) 100-110 (110-120) cm with around 5-10cm positive ease. My bust measures 92cm and I made the size S.

Aosta Cardigan (Chunky Edition)

Materials

You will need 9mm and 15mm long circular needles; I would recommend a 100cm cord. As is noted in the pattern, you can use straight needles to work the body if you prefer. I alternated between the two, as the garment got quite heavy and circular needles didn’t feel comfortable enough for me. You can either work the sleeves using the magic loop technique or, if you have them, use double-pointed knitting needles. You will also need 8 stitch markers (which can be scrap yarn loops, if that’s easier on such large needles) and a darning needle.

You will need approx. 5-6 (5-6) 6 (6-7) 7-8 (7-8) 8 (8) 8-9 skeins of The Wool by We Are Knitters or any alternative yarn that matches the necessary tension. This is assuming that you want a longer-length cardigan. If you want a more cropped, bomber-jacket style garment, you can take away 1-2 skeins.

The sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL are intended to fit a bust measurement of roughly 80-85 (85-90) 90-95 (95-100) 100-105 (105-110) 110-115 (115-120) 120-125  cm with around 10-15 cm positive ease. The fit is meant to be relaxed, so as to best show off the amazing texture of the wool and the stitch.

eBook published in April 2021 by The Knit Purl Girl