A Cozy Classic Cardi
As I’m sitting here writing this, a cold wind is blowing and the idea of making (and wearing) a straightforward, cozy sweater is most appealing! Isabell Kraemer’s Kallias, published in September, is exactly what’s called for!
Kallais is a classic open front cardigan style with unusual slipped stitch ribbing details. It can be cropped or not, there are directions for both options. This is a pattern that makes me want to drop everything I’m working on and cast on! Seeing the sample at My Sister Knits sold me on it! It can be so important to actually see and feel a sample rather than looking at a pattern photo.
Kallias, designed by Isabella Kraemer
I love the look of the back with the ribbing going straight to the hem! I love the tapered ribbing on the front and the way it flows into the body! I love that there is no finishing work to do because the ribbing for the neckband is built in as you go! Isabelle even gives directions to lessen the number of ends that need to be woven in!
WoolDreamers Mota
The construction for this is a little unusual but is clearly explained. Throughout the pattern, Isabelle gives helpful hints. For instance, when she gives directions for moving a stitch marker every 16 rows to shape the front, she goes on to further explain it. She says to work 15 rows in pattern, then work the tapering row. That way you can be sure you’re doing it right! Nothing is left to chance.
Row gauge is important in this pattern and we’re told how to modify the sweater if our gauge has fewer rows than the pattern gauge. It’s so easy! Instead of tapering every 16th row, you taper every 14th row. She reminds us to keep track of the number of rows being worked when that’s important.
WoolDreamers Mota, these are a sampling of the colors we have!
Isabelle also shows us an easy trick for making the bind off look exceptionally good at the front edges. For me, the video was more helpful than the written directions!
Our sample is made with WoolDreamers Mota which can be worked to a variety of gauges even though it’s marked as a DK weight. Kallias calls for an Aran weight but when you examine our sample, you’ll see how well Mota knits up at the gauge for this pattern. The Merino sheep who give us Mota are raised on small family farms within 90 miles of the WoolDreamers mill in Spain. I like to think of that as I knit with it.
Here is the requested photo of the Santa hat featured two weeks ago when I wrote about my hand injury. It’s almost too small as of last week! Also, if you’re interested in the blanket, it’s the Mosaic Blanket, a free pattern from Purl Soho.
Happy knitting,
