I have another little surprise that I've been working away on for an awfully long time. You may remember me posting about my Cowichan-inspired sweater that I was compelled to knit after following all of the incredibly gorgeous projects coming out of the Fringe and Friends Knitalong last fall.
You were all so kind and enthusiastic about my cardigan that I couldn't not follow up with a pattern so that we could all have Cowichan-inspired sweaters. The pattern development was far more involved than I'd anticipated and took me the better part of a year to complete while juggling the work of our upcoming book Within.
In the process of perfecting this design I've knit 3 of these sweaters. My first was a lesson in all of the design elements and is basically a wearable swatch (and very wearable indeed!). The second was meant to be my final draft but in the end the collar wasn't quite right—I'm particular about these things. Because the neckline needed to be changed to achieve the perfect collar, I cast-on a third, and was able to get everything just right. Not once did I get sick of knitting this sweater, it's a lot of fun and even a little addictive because it knits up so quickly. Now that the pattern is finally finished, I'm dying to cast-on another using the 'blanks' included in the pattern and play around with more traditional colourwork motifs.
Here is a little bit about the West Coast Cardigan from Ravelry:
Knit from the top down in one piece, the West Coast cardigan features raglan shaping, flattering set-in pockets, a generous shawl collar, and a zipper closure. Bands of stranded colourwork knit up quickly using Briggs and Little Country Roving—a 5 strand lightweight pencil roving that creates a surprisingly lofty fabric. Extensive charts are accompanied by written instructions, schematics, and helpful links to guide you along the way. Instructions are provided in an easy to follow fill-in-the-blank format.
The West Coast Cardigan was inspired, in respectful admiration, by the Cowichan Sweaters that are abundant on Vancouver Island and are a tradition of the Coast Salish people. This sweater is not a real Cowichan sweater, only inspired by this traditional style.
BONUS: Feeling creative? Use this pattern as a jumping off point into your own custom colourwork adventure by using the bonus blank charts provided with this pattern!
I couldn't help getting a few shots of the collar flipped up so that you can see how wonderfully full it is.
As I mentioned above, the pattern includes some really fun bonus material—blank charts that you can print and colour to create your own unique colourwork motif. I'm pretty excited about this additional offering, there are so many great ways to customize a sweater like this, I hope it makes it easier to be creative and make the sweater you've been dreaming of.
I would sincerely love to see all of your sweaters as you cast-on and get knitting. There are already quite a few stunning versions from our testing group. You can view them and get inspired by using the hashtag westcoastcardigan.
-----------------
Happy Knitting and hope to see some of you this weekend!!!
WEST COAST CARDIGAN / Helpful Posts
If you are thinking of casting on your own WCC, feel free to post in the knit-along thread here — even though the official deadline has passed, it's a great way to share your project with other WCC knitters.
It's also become a wealth of information. I've compiled a list of all of the WCCKAL posts. Some of them break down the more involved portions of the pattern. They're a great resource if you're looking for more in depth instruction and visual tutorials!
WCCKAL POSTS :
I am so beyond thrilled that you published this pattern. I can't wait to cast on!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was a lengthy process but I'm so happy with the result! I hope you find it an enjoyable pattern!!
Deletehow fitted is the design, does it have some waist shaping, as one of the samples on ravalry seemed to have some, but others did not?
ReplyDeleteThe design isn't meant to be fitted and there is zero waist shaping written into the pattern. However you could always knit a smaller size for a more fitted jacket.
DeleteI love it so much!! It's been great to see the many versions popping up on instagram, and a testament to the pattern that they all look amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Julie! I'm so excited you like it. And there really are some great versions out there already! I'm so excited to see more as they pop up!
Deletewhere can I find the zippers for the cowichan? I love this so much! I knit one last year for my son, but I am really into this one for myself. However, I can;t seem to find the zippers to finish them off.
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie! I'm excited for you to knit one for yourself! I got all of my zippers at Fabricland! I think they're called outerwear zippers or active wear zippers? They're less dainty than dress zippers.
DeleteI bought the prairie wool for this cardigan. I just downloaded the pattern using the code provided. After I printed all the pages in my size, I closed the site but now I realize that I don't have Part 1/Yoke. I can't start my cardigan now because I am unable to log onto the pattern again since the code is used. Please help!!!
ReplyDeleteNo problem at all! If you've downloaded the pattern without being logged into it won't be linked to your Ravelry library so that you can retrieve it whenever you'd like (that is if you have a Ravelry.com account!). Shoot me an email at janerichmonddesigns@gmail.com and I will get the pattern to you (if you have a Ravelry account be sure to include it and I can send it straight to your library!).
DeleteBeautiful pattern! Is this knit on circular needles?
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole -- the pattern is knit on circular needles from the top down :)
DeleteIt's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you <3
DeleteI really really want to make this but I'm scared of the zipper. So many zippered sweaters I see that people have done, it doesn't line up properly. Do you have tips and tricks in your pattern to make sure to have a really nice even smooth zipper? I'm an experienced seamstress so I'm sure I could figure it out.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I didn't see your comment earlier! The pattern does include a really useful link about installing the zipper. I also think that if you are an experienced seamstress you'll breeze through this step!! I'm always available via email if you have questions (my address is at the bottom of every pattern I publish).
DeleteI bought your pattern and I’m having trouble understanding the pocket instructions. Is the pocket flap going to be inside? So I can use one color? Do you have a more detailed explanation?
ReplyDelete