We are still in the preparing status, many steps away from the perfect method to knit or crochet a cardigan (remember? We are here in the top-down cult). Actually, we are walking dancing steps in all possible directions. Perhaps even rolling around on the ground only to jump into the air minutes later. Ahem – maybe I should get some exercise and then proceed with the writing :-DDD
Today I want to present you some (at least for me) uncommon methods to knit a cardigan: sideways….
Working sideways
The pros of working sideways is, there are many possibilities to work beautiful lace patterns which look very different from the normal knitting/crochet direction. The same goes for colour work. In crochet it is possible to make a very body hugging fabric. A big pro (for me) is, for some sideways constructions there is not much sewing necessary. But sadly, there are many cons (perhaps, the reason, why these methods are seldom used). For example, it is not so easy to form a curved neckline and often (mostly knitted) sideways designs have a boxy or generally wide fit.
The sleeve method
As the title says, here we are starting at one sleeve cuff. While working the sleeve gradually stitches are increased. When reaching the upper end of the sleeve, the stiches for the back and front are casted on. Now you are working the body of the cardigan from front hem to back hem till you reach the middle. Here all stitches are cast of (not necessary for crochet). Now we do the same thing for the other half. At least the cardigan is sewed together at the back. This construction results in a kind of shrug-like cardigan. With crochet it is also possible to avoid the back seem and work it completely sideways, as you can see on the upper right sketch.
The sleeve method is mostly used to make a sweater, not a cardigan. Here you can work the thing in one part and only the side and sleeve seams must be closed.
Body-hugging crochet cardigan
A popular method to make a ribbing with crochet is to work single crochet only into the back loop. This method results in a springy rip, which I sometimes use as a hem for my cardigans (the detail of the lilac cardigan on the photo). But instead of using this stitch pattern only for the hem, you can make a whole cardigan or sweater out of it. A cardigan in this rip pattern is started at the one front, then crocheted to the side, the back and it ends at the other front. The curves for armholes and neckline are formulated by decreasing and increasing stitches. The sleeves are crocheted separately and sewn in. I have found this method very intriguing, but have never dared to use it, because of the body-hugging. I am still convinced that it would look bad on me, because I am not super thin (I know… I am working on my mindset) You can find a slightly different but stunning examples of this method on ravelry
The jacket on ravelry is made with slip stitches instead of back loop single crochet, but the idea is the same: to create a flexible ribbing-like texture. You can find an explanation of the slip stitch ribbing in my free Loch Ness cardigan pattern (the turquoise jacket on the photo)
The mix
Either in knitting as in crochet it is possible to only work a part of a cardigan sideways. Mostly this is done with the body. The yoke is then added later (the sketch in the right bottom).
In crochet it is very common to create the before mentioned single crochet or slip stitch ribbing sideways, but the rest of the pattern upwards. This ribbing must be worked sideways to give the stretch the right direction. I did this for my Loch Ness cardigan and for the lilac cardigan.
But you can also use the sideways method to knit an intricate lace rectangle for the body and then knit the yoke in the round.
The shrug
Although I stated in the first paragraph, that knitting/crocheting a cardigan sideways is unusual, there is one exception: the shrug. A very easy pattern is to work a rectangle and then sew the end parts lengthwise together to create sleeves. You are knitting/crocheting more or less a short scarf :-D As I was younger I loved this simple design (you can see me a tad younger on the photo), but today I seldom wear this kind of shrug, because it is very short. Very, very short….
So, did one of you already knitted or crocheted a cardigan or a sweater sideways? Did you liked the fit? I am very curious to hear your opinions!!!
PS: sadly no fiber ramble for me today (I am so sorry @ ) But again I have a headache after sitting for hour at an eye specialist (I have high intraocular pressure wääääääh)
