Flying South

Flying South Cardigan and Shrug by Susan Mills Knits

Project Overview

Flying South is a knitted cardigan and shrug design created by Susan Mills Knits, originally published in Autumn Leaf 1408. This intermediate-level project features decorative yoke detailing and is available in two colorway options: Wynter and Blackthorn. The design offers versatility with both cardigan and shrug construction possibilities, making it suitable for knitters seeking a stylish layering piece with visual interest.

Design Features and Construction

The Flying South cardigan showcases a distinctive yoke that serves as the focal point of the garment. The yoke features leaf motifs flanked by a chevron of eyelets, creating an elegant visual pattern that draws attention to the neckline and upper body area. This decorative yoke is worked from a charted pattern, allowing knitters to follow a visual representation of the stitch placement and shaping.

The construction begins at the neckband, which is cast on using a circular needle with stitch counts of 63, 70, 70, 70, or 77 stitches depending on the desired size. Rather than working in the round, the neckband is worked back and forth in rows, which creates a flat construction method. The yoke pattern is then worked over 29 rows from the provided chart, with increases incorporated throughout to shape the garment appropriately.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate project employs several essential knitting techniques that create both structure and decorative elements:

• Decreases: The pattern uses k2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases to shape the garment and create definition within the stitch patterns. Additionally, s2kp (slip 2 stitches together, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over) is used for centered decreases that maintain pattern symmetry.
• Increases: m1 (make one) increases are worked where indicated on the chart to expand the yoke width as the pattern progresses from the neckline outward.
• Eyelet Details: yo (yarn over) stitches create the openwork eyelet chevron that frames the leaf motifs, adding visual lightness and texture to the yoke design.
• Cable Techniques: The pattern incorporates cable-style maneuvers using a cable needle, including sl 1 st to cn and hold in front, k1; k1 from cn and sl 1 st to cn and hold in back, k1; k1 from cn. These techniques create dimensional stitch elements that contribute to the leaf motif appearance.
• Stockinette and Reverse Stockinette: The base fabric alternates between knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side (standard stockinette stitch) and purl on the right side with knit on the wrong side (reverse stockinette), creating textural variation.

Yoke Pattern Structure

The yoke chart operates on a multiple of 7 stitches, increasing to 20 stitches plus 9 additional stitches, spanning 29 rows. This structured chart allows knitters to visualize exactly where each stitch type belongs, making it easier to execute the leaf and eyelet motifs accurately. The pattern repeat is clearly marked on the chart, enabling knitters to understand which sections repeat across the width of the yoke.

Yarn and Materials

Flying South is designed to be worked in chunky weight yarn, which contributes to the quick-to-knit nature of the project. The pattern was originally published in conjunction with Classic Elite Yarns, suggesting compatibility with their yarn offerings. A circular needle is required for the neckband and yoke construction, as specified in the pattern instructions.

Skill Level and Project Scope

Rated as an intermediate difficulty project, Flying South is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are comfortable reading charts and working with decreases, increases, and cable techniques. The use of charted instructions rather than row-by-row written directions requires familiarity with pattern chart symbols. The quick-to-knit designation suggests that despite the decorative yoke work, the project moves along efficiently, likely due to the chunky yarn weight and straightforward construction method.