Cardoon Top-Down Jumper KAL

Date/Time
Date(s) - 20/03/2023
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location
Home

Category: Knitting for Improvers

 

*** NEW DATES for 2023 ***

Week 1 Jan 30th 10 – 12pm

Week 2 Feb 6th 9.30 – 12.30pm (extended session)

Week 3 Feb 20th 10 – 12pm

Week 4 March 6th 10 – 12pm

Week 5 March 20th 10 -12pm

Over a series of 5 workshops, I will teach you step by step all the different techniques needed for knitting a Top-Down jumper. Knitted seamlessly from the neck down, in-the-round, means there are no individual pieces needing to be sewn together at the end. You are also able to try on the jumper as you go, therefore enabling you to adjust the final fit.

Each session is carefully structured for the different abilities in the class and supported with worksheets and additional video tutorials to help with any new techniques.

NB I have spaced out the workshops so that after the first 2 sessions you will have more time to knit each section without feeling rushed. Although you may not complete every step of the jumper during the course, you will have all the techniques needed for finishing in your own time. 

You can find out more about this method of garment knitting by reading my recent post Top Down Jumpers

Cardoon by Isabell Kraemer

For this project I have chosen a beautiful pattern called Cardoon, which also features a stunning colour-work yoke, from one of my favourite knitting designers, Isabell Kraemer. Her collection of patterns can be found on Ravelry, a wonderful networking website for patterns and designers.

NB For this KAL you will need to purchase the pattern directly from Ravelry Cardoon  for your PDF download.

 KAL (knit-along) Course

This course is not for beginner knitters and although you may not have knitted a jumper before, you must be able to knit, purl and rib with confidence. If you are not sure if this course will be the right level for you, then please email or call and I will be happy to talk over the project with you.

Session 1: Getting Gauge (tension)

  •  Knitting a tension square for getting accurate tension (gauge)

  • Introducing Colour-work techniques and ways to hold 2 yarns.
  • Casting on using Longtail cast on.

Session 2: Starting Neck Shaping

  • Joining in the round
  • Yoke ~ Working Short Rows with German Short Rows, a method used to add shaping and dimension to your knitted fabric.
  • Yoke increase stitches.

Session 3:  Dividing for Sleeves and working the body

  • Dividing for sleeves. Sleeve stitches are placed on hold to work the body top down.

Session 4: Picking up sleeve stitches

  • Picking up stitches for sleeves using Magic Loop technique or double-pointed needles
  • Sleeves are worked top-down, decreasing the stitches to the cuffs.

Session 5: Finishing

  • Blocking and finishing techniques

Cardoon KAL Course (5 sessions)

YARN

This jumper has been knitted in  Rowan Felted Tweed Dk, a  soft wool & alpaca yarn which comes in a range of beautiful tweedy shades.

I will be putting together yarn kits with your choice of 2 contrasting coloured yarns.

When you have booked your place, I will send you info with advice for choosing contrast shades for colour-work, stranded knitting.

NB Yarns are not included in the course fee.

Cardoon Yarn Kit: 

KIT A £45

Kit A: Size 1 35.25″ bust  Size 2 38.5″ bust (final garment size)

KIT B £52.50

KIT B: Size 3 42.50″ bust  Size 4 46.5″ bust (final garment size)

The pattern recommends 4″ of positive ease which describes the fit of the final jumper in relation to the size of the body wearing it. E.g. if you have a 34” bust and you knit a sweater with 4″ ease, the final garment will measure 38″ at the bust.

Therefore for Cardoon, if you have a 34″ bust choose Size 2 giving you the final garment measurement of 38.5″= 4.5″ positive ease.

When you have purchased and downloaded your Cardoon pattern, you will be able to see more information about sizing.

OTHER MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED

As experienced knitters, I am sure you will have your own preferred needles to work with, but please email me if you would like advice for purchasing circular needles for knitting in the round. Below are the suggested needle sizes given in the Cardoon pattern.

  • Needles

Size 3.75 mm 16″ (40 cm) and 32″ (80 cm) circular needle and DPNs (or longer circular needle for magic loop) for neck CO, body and sleeve ribbing.

Size 4 mm 16″ (40 cm) and 32″ (80 cm) circular needle and DPNs (or longer circular needle for magic loop) for body and sleeves.

The needle sizes are just suggestions and it may be necessary to adjust needle size to achieve correct tension (gauge)

  • Stitch holders or waste yarn,
  • Stitch markers
  • Tapestry needle
  • Blocking tools.

    If the class is showing fully booked please email me so I can add you to the waiting list and let you know when the next class will be taking place.

    The class sizes are small (maximum 5 people) and fill up quickly!

     

     ” I thoroughly enjoyed doing this KAL… It’s such a pleasure to meet like minded knitters too. I always learn so much, you are an apparently endless source of knitting knowledge…”

    ” loved the worksheets and mini videos. They really helped when back home on our own!”

    ” As well as really enjoying the sessions (including the cake) and learning a lot, I have a very wearable jumper at the end of it…”

    ” lots of personal attention in the small group.”

    ” I am loving my Cardoon and it gets lots of admiration! “

 

Bookings

This class is fully booked.