Inspiration
Pattern Party: Cardigans and Cowls
Hello again fans of jackety goodness and warm necks. For day three of our Pattern Party, in which we celebrate the great independently published knitting patterns of 2020, we are focusing on the many beautiful cardigans and cowls that were nominated. Let’s go!
Remember our Pattern Party purpose: to show love and support to independent designers, who give us knitters so much excitement and joy throughout the year. If you like a pattern, click on the Ravelry link, favorite it, queue it, and consider buying it if you can. A robust queue of patterns ready for your needles is the path to knitterly happiness. If you’re just tuning in, find more Pattern Partying here and here.
Note on links. Links are in red/orange type. The name of the pattern links to Ravelry.com. The name of the designer links to their website or Instagram account.
Wave of Change Jacket by Denise Bayron
This is the snappy cardigan that will go with anything, anywhere, anytime, on anyone.
Yarn Idea from the MDK Shop: Big Wool
Ostra Cardigan by Amy Christoffers
We all need a grandparent cardi, and this flowing, textured number is just the ticket.
Yarn Ideas from the MDK Shop: Léttlopi, Hektos, Windham, Merino Aran, or Superwash Worsted
Water Bearer by Jacqueline Cieslak
Cropped and almost shrug-like, wavy stitches add interest to the perfect cardigan to pop over a dress, skirt, or trousers.
Yarn Idea from the Shop: Hektos
Peated Whisky by Thea Colman
We’re smitten by diamond cables that flow, uninterrupted, over patch pockets in this bomber-style boxy cardigan.
Yarn Idea from the Shop: Hektos
Sterntaucher by Kate Davies
A blanket cardigan with built-in pockets and stunning starry colorwork.
Yarn Idea from the MDK Shop: Big Wool
Endorphins by Kim McBrien Evans
A beautifully proportioned cardigan that teaches how to enhance a garment’s shape with color placement and stripe width.
Yarn Ideas from the MDK Shop: Felted Tweed and Mohonk
Made My Day Cardigan by Lily Kate France
Irresistible squoosh meets stylishly belled sleeves in a boxy cardigan canvas for playing with stripes and texture.
Yarn Ideas from the MDK Shop: Léttlopi or Hektos
Radiant Star Cowl by Ella Gordon
Fair Isle colorwork at its most artful.
Yarn Idea from the MDK Shop: Felted Tweed
Letho by Nastasja Hornby
Dollops of brioche and dashes of color work, plus sideways construction make this cardigan a thriller.
Yarn Idea from the MDK Shop: Léttlopi
Opuntia Cowl by Jamie Lomax
Distinctive two-color patterning that also makes for a great first stranded knit.
Yarn Idea from the MDK Shop: Felted Tweed
Curl by Emilie Luis
Soft sculptural folds of shaker rib, with an opening that makes for no-fuss, perfect styling.
Yarn Ideas from the MDK Shop: Mohonk, Caravan, Nua Sport, or Helix (doubled)
Vittorio Cowl by Janelle Martin
We’re always on the lookout for great mini-skein patterns, and these swirls of chevrons are it.
Yarn Ideas from the MDK Shop: Signature Mini-skein Set or Canon Hand Dyes Mini-skein Set
Indira Cowl by Vanessa Smith
Richly braided cables, elegant shape, and a neat finish for the perfect cowl.
Yarn Ideas from the MDK Shop: Mohonk Light, Gleem Lace (doubled), Helix (doubled) or Rustic Fingering
Banyan by Nicola Susen
A classic stockinette or garter cardigan, any gauge, any size, no swatch—we’re intrigued!
Yarn Ideas from the MDK Shop: Léttlopi, Hektos, Nua Sport, Merino Aran to name just a few!
Inventive shape and construction, a suave garter fabric, and elegant finishes make this an exciting knit.
Yarn Ideas from the MDK Shop: Felted Tweed or Rustic Fingering
Leaves Cardigan by Kay Hopkins
The perfect spring cardigan to throw on and dress up, with delicate leaf lace and a notch in the back hem.
Yarn Ideas from the MDK Shop: Mohonk or Nua Sport
Y’all throw fabulous parties!
There are so many interesting ideas in this group! I can’t wait to try some out. I just have to decide where to start…
I love this idea, I love the patterns and I love MDK. But so disappointed that many of the patterns link to Ravelry, even those of designers who are actively promoting the current logout from Rav. Promotional schedules acknowledged….a bad situation.
Thank you, I’m feeling the exact same thing.
As mentioned in the notes at the top of the post, each designer name links to their website, instagram, payhip, etc.
Ooh,so many great cardigans, Wave of Change, Letho, Cruiser and Banyan are my personal favorites.
I’m thinking Frog and Toad from Tuesday are going to steal this show.
Enjoying the cruise~!
I just love the Letho cardigan. I hope the pattern comes in English as well as the other 2 languages listed on Ravelry. I suppose I can use Google translate feature but it seems like the long way around. The party is great so many cool patterns.
The pattern says it is NOW (meaning now also, I think) available in German and Danish.
Hi Sue, when I looked at Letho on Ravelry it listed: English, Danish, German as the pattern languages.
Fabuloue designs – so hard to choose from Wave of Change to Kate Davies – of course – to Letho. All of these marked as favourites. Where does one stop!
I love the people you use as models. So much more inclusive than the usual insipid knitting models. These women look like they have lives, fun and interests. Thanks! MG
So many beautiful pieces.