Evelin Cardigan – new brioche pattern

The first pattern of the year 2022 is here! And I named it an Evelin Cardigan. After the last year's release of the Alma Sweater, I have received lots of requests for a similar garment. But this time you were asking for a cardigan, which would also use a brioche technique. It took me a year, but finally here it is.

photo credit for all pictures - @evakobz

A gave it a draft name, “Alma’s sister”. Same as Alma, the Evelin is worked from top down in rows. First the brioche yoke is crocheted, then it is divided for the body and the sleeves, and then the lower body and the sleeves are finished separately. 

The Evelin Cardigan pattern is now available on Etsy HERE and Ravelry HERE with a 25% discount through Monday, January 31st. You do not need any codes, as the discount has been already applied and the price you see is final.

Although designed with ¾ sleeves, their length is easily adjustable. And brioche cuffs with the same brioche pattern are added at the bottom. The lower body is finished with several short rows for shaping, and with invisible small pockets which can be omitted if you wish so. 

In the process of testing with our testing team, we concluded that a very small ease works the best for this pattern. The cardigan is designed to fit with 5-7.5cm (2 – 3in) of positive ease at the bust, and 2.5-3.5cm (1 – 1 ½in) for the upper arm. If you wish, you can opt for even a smaller ease, and make your garment fitted. 

The Evelin Cardigan pattern comes in 10 sizes to fit bust 32 (34, 36, 38, 40) (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) in. The finished bust (including ease) is 89.5 (94, 97.5, 103, 106.5) (112, 115.5, 126.5, 128, 133.5) cm/ 35 ¼ (37, 38 ¼, 40 ½, 42) (44, 45 ½, 50, 50 ¼, 52 ½) in.

The stitch pattern in the brioche yoke is imitating the fallen leaves, or maybe transparent wings of the dragonfly. I wanted a very gentle and romantic look, and I think it worked out well. 

The brioche technique is easy once you understand the logics of the stitches’ placement. If you have not tried it before, please, check the Brioche Masterclass HERE on my blog with short videos explaining basic stitches, increases and decreases. 

Fine fingering yarn with a bit of a fluff will work the best for this design. I have made several samples myself. 

First is done with Scheepjes Metropolis yarn in two colors: 017 Multan and 019 Marseille. 

For another sample, I also used Metropolis yarn as a contrast, but this time together with Scheepjes Whirlette. 

Although I love the fabric of the lower body worked with Whirlette, this is a tricky combination, as Whirlette is finer than Metropolis with no fluff. This can result in a not so vivid stitch definition of the brioche. But if you are an adventurous crocheter, you can try those two yarns together. 

And my third sample uses Scheepjes Stardust yarn – something I have wanted to try for a long time (colors 656 Andromeda and 654 Pisces).

Stardust is mostly acrylic yarn (75%) with mohair (11%), wool (11%) and metallic polyester (3%). The latter adds silver or golden sparkles. I was afraid this yarn might be a bit scratchy against the skin but works just fine for me. Through if you have a very sensitive skin, you might want to check the yarn at your local store before you buy it. 

 A sample made with Stardust is a kind of glamour version of my Evelin Cardigan. :) 

You can find your chosen yarn in local Scheepjes shops around the world, or order it via online retailers: Wool Warehouse* (UK, international shipping), Caro's Atelier* (NL and Europe), Taemombo* (US&Canada).

Same as with any other knitted or crochet garment, the correct gauge is vitally important for obtaining the right sizing. The gauges for the brioche yoke and the lower body differ, and you should be careful when proceeding from the yoke down to the separation for body and sleeves. 

The lower body is worked in a more relaxed way, so the gauge becomes bigger naturally. To adjust, you might need to switch to a smaller hook. 

And here are samples made by our testers team, in a variety of the colors and sizes: Laura Jackson, Lisa Marlow, Jenna Bowers, Macarena Marskell, Esther Schippers, Sandra Veneman, Ruth Bracey.

 

The Evelin Cardigan pattern is now available on Etsy HERE and Ravelry HERE.

 
 

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