Hornbaek Cardigan
The Hornbaek Cardigan is a cropped v-neck cardigan designed to be a wardrobe staple.
CONSTRUCTION It is knit flat in pieces from the bottom up for structure and to take full advantage of the beauty of full-fashioned decreases. The silhouette is a compound raglan construction which provides a better fit in the shoulders and in this piece it also adds to the flattering angle of the deep v-neck.
It’s full of little details …like the offset of the rib hem and main stitch pattern, garter stitch selvedges for ease of blocking and seaming, carefully placed increases and decreases.
ADJUSTMENT OPTIONS I wanted to give you both clear instructions to follow to get exactly the result you see in the sample AND as many ways of customizing the sweater as possible. To that end, there are notes about adding length and yardage estimates for what you will need both for the body and the sleeves (so you can adjust them separately if desired).
BUTTONBANDS AND CUSTOMIZATION I’ve included full instructions for a choice of 1x1 Ribbed Band or a Double Knit Buttonband with Vertical Buttonholes. Both methods are fully customizable for the number of buttons you prefer, something that is very useful because a v-neck will hit every person differently. With these instructions you can try on the sweater and place the buttons exactly where you need them.
YARN CHOICE This pattern was also an opportunity to take a deep dive into yarn choice (my favorite topic) and do some extensive swatching to find you a number of different options for the sweater, so that no matter where you live or what your budget is, you have options that will produce a beautiful, long-wearing garment.
Watch video tutorials and swatch explanations on my YouTube channel.
SIZES 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
FINISHED SIZE 35½ (38¼, 42¼, 45¼, 49¼, 52, 56, 58¾, 62¾)" bust circumference, buttoned
FIT GUIDELINES: Choose 2–4" larger than your bust size for a tailored fit, or more than 4" larger for a relaxed fit.
YARN
Approximately 2755 (2990, 3300, 3505, 3925, 4205, 4600, 4965, 5505) yards lace weight yarn (held double)
Or approximately 1375 (1495, 1650, 1755, 1960, 2105, 2485, 2755) yards heavy fingering/sport weight yarn
Sample shown in Size 2 made with Holst Garn Coast (55% merino lambswool, 45% cotton; 383 yards/50 g) in color Dove, held double throughout.
This yarn is also available on 500 g cones; 765 yards per 100 grams
Suggested alternative yarns:
Juniper Moon Patagonia (100% organic merino; 382 yards/100 g)
De Rerum Natura Ulysse (French merino d’Arles and black Portuguese merino; 202 yards/50 g)
Brooklyn Tweed Loft (100% American Targhee-Columbia Wool; 275 yds/50 g)
Garthenor Preseli (100 % British wool, Polwarth, Romney and Hebridean; 219 yards/50 g)
mYak Tibetan Cloud (100% Tibetan wool; 328 yds/100 g)
mYak Baby Yak Lace (100% baby yak, 381 yds/50g) (held double)
NEEDLES
Main Fabric Needle: One pair of straight needles or a 32" circular needle* in size needed to obtain gauge
Suggested size: US 6/4.0 mm
Ribbing Needle: One 24" or 32" circular needle* two sizes smaller than gauge needle for working ribbed hem.
Suggested size: US 4/3.5mm
Double-Knitting Needle: One set DPNs (or short circular) three or four sizes smaller than gauge needle (exact gauge does not matter; just achieve a stable fabric that you like, sturdy enough to support buttons)
Suggested size: US 2/2.75 mm
Buttonband Pick-up Needle: One 32" circular needle the same size or slightly smaller than the Double-Knitting Needle. Suggested size: US 2/2.75 mm
*Knitter’s preferred style and length of needle for flat knitting may be used
GAUGE
Working Gauge: 28 stitches and 42 rows = 4” in Slipped Stitch Rib pattern on Main Fabric needle, before blocking/after hand-washed blocking
Blocked Gauge: 28 stitches and 45 rows = 4” in Slipped Stitch Rib pattern on Main Fabric Needle, relaxed after machine blocking
Blocked Gauge: 25 stitches and 38 rows = 4” in 1x1 Rib with Ribbing Needle, relaxed after any type of blocking
Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
NOTIONS AND TOOLS
• stitch markers
• 3/4"–7/8" buttons (number is customizable; sample uses 4 buttons)
• plain backing buttons (if desired, see Buttonband Finishing)
• tapestry needle
• silk embroidery thread or thin strong yarn for attaching buttons
• small length of smooth, contrasting waste yarn for buttonband tubular cast on
ON WASHABILITY
Both the Holst Garn Coast and Juniper Moon Patagonia yarns are non-superwash fibers but both can be washed cold on the delicate cycle of a washing machine using a mild detergent like Seventh Generation or Eucalan. To do this it is advisable to place your swatch or sweater inside a pillow case and knot the top or use a rubberband to securely close it. Then wash on delicate with other laundry and lay flat to dry. The results are lovely. Of course, these yarns as well as the others suggested here can also be hand-washed or simply soaked in wool wash,