The Brennan Cardigan

[Edited note, Dec 2013 – I’m no longer able to make this pattern available. Many thanks to those who have knitted and shown interest in it! I’ll be sure to keep bringing  my attention to new designs in the future 🙂 ]

For anyone just tuning in, my full explanation of why I wrote this pattern may be found in this post from May. The name belongs to Dr. Temperance Brennan, the main character in the television show Bones, and in the Kathy Reichs series of novels upon which the television show is based. Dr. Brennan wore a sweater very similar to this one in an early episode of the series, and quite frankly, I wanted to figure out how to knit one for myself. Thus, this pattern was born. I believe this is a modern, flattering, stylish looking garment which is also comfortable and cozy, and it is only for the sheer volume of projects I have in my ever-changing knitting queue that I haven’t actually managed to start up on one for myself.

I am now pleased to offer this pattern for free in PDF format (download link appears below) in 5 sizes, measuring 32[34, 38, 42, 46] inches across the bust. I would recommend 2-3 inches of ease for a close but comfortable fit. I would like to add another size, possibly two, when I have another spare few moments to devote to it. Also, it is entirely likely that this pattern will still have errata, so I am comfortable putting out this version into the world as-is and making adjustments as necessary.

Why am I offering this pattern for free, you might ask? Well, there are several reasons. But really, the main reason is that, as will be clear from my previous post, this design very obviously takes close inspiration from a commercially-made garment, and as such I do not feel comfortable charging $$ for it. (The pattern instructions and sizing, however, are all the product of my own brain, so you can bet your ass I’m quite happy with that.) I will note, though, that my sweater is not a completely exact replica. There are some details in the inspiration garment that do not appear here. (Don’t worry, if you really want me to charge money for stuff, I’m quite sure I’ll find other new designs to do that with in the future 😉 )

If you download this pattern and find value in it, I would recommend taking whatever money you think the pattern deserves and giving it to Knitters Without Borders, or, failing that, another deserving knitting-related Enterprise For Good.

This pattern assumes the knitter has already had some experience knitting sweaters, as it will provide some challenge through the use of short-rows, extensive seaming, work with a cable-needle, and working set-in sleeves. It is a garment constructed in pieces, and the back and two front pieces are both worked in sections, including long pieces of ‘diagonal ribbing’ which seam up at the sides to create a v-shape style at the side. (See picture below). This is the biggest challenge of the pattern. My sister Martha who knitted the pattern, and who is shown modelling the sweater, will happily tell you that these diagonal ribbing sections nearly did her in. This pattern also makes use of an “at the same time” instruction, for the front pieces, which involves working the armhole sections at the same time as the neckline decreases. In this pattern I also assume that you already have a comfortable method of working your decreases and increases at each side, for example, which is why the pattern instructions do not go into detail about whether you should ‘k2tog’ or ‘ssk’ any particular decrease. Other than that, I hope you will find that the pattern is worked in a very similar format to other standard knitting patterns.

Two small changes I have made between the sample pattern and this version is that I have made the front neckline slightly deeper, and the sleeves are slightly more fitted.

 

As for yarn and gauge, this pattern requires worsted-weight yarn knitted in a Stockinette gauge of 5 sts/6.5 rows per inch. There are a wide variety of yarns available in this gauge, which means you should feel at liberty to choose what best works for you and the pattern. My preference is for something woolen or wool-based, since it is light, warm, and keeps its shape well. Ubiquitous and priced-to-own yarns like Cascade 220 or Patons Classic Merino would work just fine. The sample in the photos was knitted with Brunswick Sheepswool, 100% worsted-weight wool. If you choose a non-wool fibre, I would recommend something which does keep its shape and isn’t very heavy (i.e. not 100% cotton!)

[Edited note, Dec 2013 – I’m no longer able to make this pattern available. Many thanks to those who have knitted and shown interest in it! I’ll be sure to keep bringing  my attention to new designs in the future 🙂 ]

Download the pattern:
BrennanCardi-July18-07

If you choose to knit this pattern I would be pleased to hear from you, and if you discover anything that needs adjusting I will be happy to start up an ‘errata’ page. Happy knitting!