Cardigan
A cardigan is a sweater that opens fully or partly at the front, fastened with buttons or a zipper, and is knitted either flat in pieces or in the round and then steeked.
Explanation
Cardigan is the term for a knitted jacket or sweater that opens at the front, traditionally fastened with metal clasps or buttons. Norwegian cardigans (kofte) are often characterized by stranded colorwork in the yoke and along the edges, and are frequently knitted as a complete tube in the round which is then cut open (steeking) to create the front opening and armholes. Well-known examples include the Setesdal cardigan and the Marius sweater. Knitting a cardigan usually requires extra planning around button bands, buttonholes, and finishing compared to a plain pullover.
Also known as: Cardi
Open at the front
A cardigan is a sweater with a front opening, and the main question is how that opening is made. Either the fronts are worked as two separate pieces, or the garment is worked in the round and cut open by steeking — the traditional method in Nordic and Scottish colourwork cardigans.
Steeking lets the pattern be worked in the round throughout, which is far easier than stranding back and forth.
Button bands and buttonholes
Button bands are usually picked up along the front edges at the end, in ribbing or seed stitch that lies flat. Buttonholes are spaced evenly, with one at bust level to stop the garment gaping.
Expect the bands to need fewer stitches than the edge is long, or they will ripple.
Common mistakes
- Picking up too many stitches for the button band, so it ripples.
- Spacing buttonholes without one at bust level.
Keywords
- cardigan
- knitted cardigan
- kofte
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to steek to make a cardigan?
No. You can work the fronts separately. Steeking is used particularly when the whole garment is colourwork.
How many buttonholes do I need?
Five to seven on an adult cardigan, evenly spaced, with one at bust level.