Drambuie Cardigan

Drambuie Cardigan by Kari-Helene Rane

What is Being Made

The Drambuie Cardigan is a knitted cardigan sweater designed by independent designer Kari-Helene Rane. This garment is available in four sizes: Small (to fit 92 cm / 36 in chest), Medium (100 cm / 39 in), Large (108 cm / 42 in), and Extra Large (116 cm / 45 in). The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in size Large and features a sophisticated construction combining ribbed and textured stitch patterns.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Drambuie Cardigan employs intermediate-level knitting techniques suitable for knitters with foundational skills. The construction begins with a ribbed cuff worked on smaller needles, which is then increased to larger needles to establish the main pattern sections. The pattern incorporates stocking stitch as the primary fabric base, measured at tension over this fundamental knit stitch. Light steaming is used to finish the garment and set the tension, a professional finishing technique that helps achieve the intended drape and dimensions.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The cardigan features two primary stitch patterns:

• Ribbed Cuff: A 2x2 rib pattern (knit 2, purl 2) worked on 3.25 mm needles. This elastic rib is continued for approximately 4 cm until it measures the desired length, ending with a right-side row before transitioning to the larger needles.
• Basketweave Pattern: A textured stitch pattern worked over a multiple of 8 stitches with a 12-row repeat. The basketweave is established after the ribbed cuff using 4 mm needles. The pattern alternates between rows of purled and knitted stitches in blocks of four, creating a woven texture. Row 1 (worked on wrong side) begins with [p4, k4] repeats. Row 2 (right side) mirrors this with [p4, k4] repeats. This alternating structure continues through the 12-row repeat, creating the distinctive basketweave appearance.

Materials and Gauge

The Drambuie Cardigan is designed to be knitted using Purl Alpaca Fine, a luxury yarn composed of 100% English Alpaca. This yarn is supplied in 50-gram balls with a yardage of 116 meters per ball. The pattern requires 11 balls for size Small, 12 balls for Medium, 13 balls for Large, and 14 balls for Extra Large. The sample cardigan shown in the pattern photographs is worked in the shade Alpaca Dawn.

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 29 rows to a 10 cm square, measured over stocking stitch after light steaming. This gauge is achieved using 4 mm knitting needles. Knitters are instructed to adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct tension, as this is critical for achieving the intended finished dimensions and fit.

Needles and Notions

Two pairs of knitting needles are required to complete this project. The ribbed cuff is worked on a pair of 3.25 mm needles, while the main body and pattern sections are knitted on 4 mm needles (or the size required to match the given tension). Additional notions needed include a blunt tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and buttons for the cardigan closure.