Three years ago, I knitted myself a cardigan in the beautiful Malabrigo Sock “Ochre”. On a whim I took a photo of myself in the mirror, instead of propping my camera up on a stack of books as usual. My balcony was clean, trees in the background were blurred and perfect dawn light curved softly around the edges of the crisp latticework of stitches.
The photo propelled my blog from obscurity to modest fame. It was pinned innumerable times, brought many new visitors to the blog, got featured by Julie on Modification Monday and my project climbed into the top ten on Ravelry favourites. And then came countless requests for a pattern, some directly to me, others as comments on Pinterest. I felt rather bad, since I knew I wouldn’t have time to learn about pattern grading in order to offer the pattern for sale.
Not anymore!
The Shifting Sands Cardigan is now offered as a CustomFit Recipe, here. I hope you enjoy knitting it! Since this is a fairly new way of releasing patterns, I’m putting down Frequently Expected Questions. If I miss anything, ask away!
FEQ
1. What’s a CustomFit Recipe?
CustomFit is a web based application where you enter your measurements and get an individualized knitting pattern for a flattering garment. You select sweater parameters (length, sleeve, neck) and CustomFit produces detailed instructions on how to knit that sweater, in your gauge and your yarn.
A CustomFit Recipe is a set of instructions to give to CustomFit in order to replicate a particular cardigan in your size and shape. It usually includes instructions for special design elements.
Think of it this way: If CustomFit were for sewing, you would normally enter your measurements and fabric type, pick design elements (neck, sleeves, etc) and receive pattern pieces which, when sewed together, would fit you perfectly. However, if you wanted to replicate a particular dress worn by Celebrity X, you would buy a Recipe for that pattern, which would tell you what instructions to give CustomFit to replicate that particular dress in your size, and additional design details like frills and collars. Make sense?
2. This is All So New to Me! What Do I Do?
First, purchase the CustomFit Recipe here . Read it through and decide on your yarn.
Then create a CustomFit account here (it’s free, like creating a Ravelry account). Enter your measurements (detailed video guides are available) and swatch (video guides are available).
Next, enter sweater options instructions from the Recipe. Once everything is entered, CustomFit will ask you to pay. Do that, and a detailed, customised knitting pattern for the stockinette body is instantly generated for you!
Finally, the fun part! Knit your stockinette sweater following the instructions from the CustomFit pattern, and then knit the collar following instructions from the Recipe.
3. Which Means I Pay at Two Points?
Correct!
In the Recipe you’re buying detailed instructions for the lovely collar and more. Oh and for my creative process :).
In the CustomFit pattern, you’re buying detailed instructions for knitting the basic stockinette cardigan body, in your yarn, your measurements, your swatch. It’s worth it, not having to waste a single minute trying to match a designer’s gauge. And you get a perfectly fitting garment!
4. What Exactly Do I Get?
In the Recipe, available here, you get:
– Detailed discussion of yarn combinations for sweater and collar.
– Full instructions on design parameters to enter into CustomFit, including customization.
– Detailed instructions for knitting the collar, with photos and charts.
– Detailed instructions on sewing the collar to the body, with photos.
– Assurance that the Recipe has been test knitted and tech-edited.
In the CustomFit pattern, available here, you get:
– Detailed instructions on creating a perfectly fitting stockinette cardigan body.
– Full customization options – you are free to change the sleeve and sweater length.
– Yardage estimates for your selected sweater body yarn.
– Freedom from having to match a designer’s swatch!
5. And Finally…
The first two pages of the Recipe:
Interested? Purchase the full Recipe here !
Lime Scented 
Love ❤
How did you know I just finished swatches for to-be-deceided-on CF sweaters #3 and 4!?!
Telepathy! 🙂
I have a question.If I used a heavier weight for the body then use the finger weight for the co llar,won’t it look funny. My LYS doesn’t have the type of yarn you used,so if I use worsted weight and than a sock yarn weight I am not sure if it will look right.I need some help please
Not at all! In fact, the sample is made with Malabrigo Sock held single for the collar and double for the body. Meaning, the collar is sock weight and the body is equivalent to a light worsted or heavy dk weight.
When sewing the body to the collar the pieces are matched by length, not row count. So you can easily use two different weights of yarn for the cardigan body and collar. Using a heavier yarn for the body will speed up the process of knitting, that’s all.
You should only be careful that the body yarn is the same as OR heavier than the collar. If the collar yarn is heavier it will distort the body.
Hope that was helpful!
That is what I wanted to know. Thankyou very much now I can start making my swatch. Kathy.
This cardigan is beautiful. I also love the white top underneath, do you mind me asking where that top is from?
Hi Kelly, it’s from Cerruti Jeans.