Hi all!
This post includes everything you need to know about the Silent Night Cardigan, a size-inclusive crochet pattern for an oversized velvet cardigan featuring short sleeves and side-slits.
The Silent Night Cardigan is from my book Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear. This book includes 20 size-inclusive sweater patterns using a variety of techniques and construction methods to ensure there is something of value for every skill level. Each pattern is written from XS to 5XL and each size has been thoroughly tested! We had over 500+ crochet pattern testers for this book to make sure that each size fits its intended wearer in a way that makes them feel beautiful. You can buy this book with confidence, knowing that each pattern was written for you and your unique body measurements.
Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:
- Find the PDF version on Ravelry here, on Etsy here, and on my website here.
- Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here.
- Use the pattern hashtag #SilentNightCardigan on Instagram to show off your makes! Be sure to check out the book hashtag, #ModernCrochetSweaters, too!
- Shop Bernat Velvet yarn here! (Be sure to scroll down to see other great yarn substitutes!)
- Shop my book on Amazon (US) here.
- Shop my book on Amazon (CA) here.
- Shop my book on other platforms outside of North America here.
- Read about my experience getting a book deal here!
- For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!
Order my book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!
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About: the Silent Night Cardigan
Who wouldn’t want to drape themselves in velvet? (George Costanza’s dream outfit!) Whether you’re opening presents around the tree or waiting for the ball to drop to begin the new year, this piece is ready for any celebration that comes your way. I’m a big fan of yarn with unexpected textures, and the Silent Night Velvet Cardigan brings a fresh look to crochet with this dazzling sea of velvet stitches. To compensate for the heaviness of the velvet yarn, this pattern uses a delicate, textured stitch pattern and short sleeves. The weight of this yarn combined with the vertical ribbing and side slits create an elegant drape and allows for incredible movement during wear. This cardigan is a must-make for anyone who loves to look put-together with minimal effort.
Getting Started: Knowing Your Measurements
This book uses the Craft Yarn Council (CYC) to determine sizing. The CYC is the industry standard when it comes to knit and crochet sizing. While you will be able to produce a beautiful sweater by following the written patterns, I also like to include customization tips throughout each pattern so that you can adjust based on your unique body measurements; for example, shortening or lengthening a sleeve, or adjusting for a larger upper arm than written for your size. This way, you can modify the pattern with confidence, if needed. When making garments for myself, I usually need to shorten tops or sweaters because I have a short torso. My hips also fall under a different size than my bust. Not everyone fits perfectly into these sizing standards; they are simply averages, not set-in-stone numbers.
Understanding how your body deviates from the CYC standard measurements gives you the ability to tailor a sweater to perfectly fit you, rather than feel disappointed that your body doesn’t fit into the sizing standards. I recommend that you measure the largest part of your bust and then refer to the CYC website (click here) to find out which size you would fall under. Then, look at the other measurements that are included for your size, and see which of these measurements deviate from your actual body measurements. Knowledge is power, and once you understand how your body deviates from the CYC standards, you will be able to anticipate this deviation and assume it translates through most patterns. For example, if your upper arm circumference is slightly larger than the CYC sizing chart reads, then you can expect you may have to ignore a few decrease rows when working the sleeves of your next sweater, or even follow the sleeve instructions for the next size up, if possible.
Getting Started: the Silent Night Cardigan
Yarn: Bulky—Bernat Velvet in Blackbird
- 100% polyester
- 315 yds [288 m] per 10.5-oz [300-g] skein
- Find this yarn on yarnspirations.com, lovecrafts.com, or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes.
Yardage: 3 (4, 4, 4, 5) skeins or
900 (1000, 1125, 1250, 1350) yds
[823 (915, 1029, 1143, 1235) m]
Substitute Bernat Velvet with any similar bulky weight, category #5 yarn that matches gauge. For a similar look to the sample shown, choose a polyester yarn with a similar velvety, chenille feel. Non-velvet yarns will work too!
Hook: Size U.S. K/10½ (6.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: Tapestry needle, several locking stitch markers
Gauge: 4 x 4″ [10 x 10 cm] = 14 sts and 10 rows in single crochet through the back loops only
If you are struggling to match gauge, choose the hook that gives you the closest stitch gauge. This determines the length of your cardigan and can not be adjusted once you’ve started crocheting. The row gauge leaves some room for variation since you will be instructed to work until you have achieved certain measurements.
Customization Ideas + Tips When Crocheting This Cardigan
Tips
- Sizing: This sweater is written in five sizes as follows: XS (S/M, L/XL, 2X/3X, 4X/5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only.
- Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row. If only one number is provided, it applies to all sizes.
- Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side. You choose which side to wear as the “right side.”
- Seaming: When seaming your garment, make sure to keep all seams loose and do not pull tight in order to maintain some stretch, otherwise this seam will pucker during wear.
- Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch.
- To Prevent Flaring: Work the first and last stitch a little tighter than your regular gauge to keep the bottom edges from flaring out.
- Construction: This oversized cardigan is worked in two identical panels that get partially seamed together along the center-back and along the sides. The two identical body panels are worked sideways to create the vertical ribbing that you see running down the length of the cardigan. Two identical short sleeves are worked separately as rectangles that get seamed onto the body.
Customization Ideas
- Adjusting the Side-Split: Be sure to follow the instructions to line up the sides stitch-for-stitch, then begin seaming at your desired height.
- Adjusting the Length: For a longer (or shorter) cardigan, add (or subtract) stitches from the foundation chain in multiples of two; one for the front and one for the back, since you are creating the front and back of your cardigan all at once. The total number of multiples of two you end up adding or subtracting is how many stitches you will add or subtract from the Back Neck Shaping instructions. For example, if you add 10 stitches to your foundation chain, you will add 5 stitches to your first Back Neck Shaping row, finishing with a total of 112 stitches after completing this row.
- Adjusting the Sleeve Length: For shorter (longer) sleeve, work fewer (additional) FSC than instructed in the Sleeve section.
Yarn Substitutions
Bernat Velvet is a bulky weight, velvet, 100% polyester yarn, however you are free to use any fiber content that you like for your own cardigan! Listed below you will see a variety of yarns that will work just fine in place of Bernat Velvet so long as you match gauge!
Since Bernat Velvet is not easily accessible in every country, visit www.yarnsub.com and type in “Bernat Velvet” into the search box to find a suitable alternative. You will find hundreds of yarns with similar properties and you are bound to find a brand that is accessible to you. The YarnSub website is an incredible resource that I use regularly.
Other bulky weight yarns that will work in this pattern – some are velvet, some are regular bulky weight yarns:
Lion Brand Yarns:
- Color Made Easy (discontinued, but some of you may have this yarn in your stash)
- Hue And Me
- Woolspun
- Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
- Vel-Luxe (Velvet)
WeCrochet
- Billow
- Biggo
- Chroma Twist Bulky
- Hue And Me
- Wonderfluff (this yarn is practically weightless and would feel very light + airy)
- Wool of the Andes Bulky
- Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
- plus more great bulky options here!
LoveCrafts
- Premier Yarns Retro Velvet (Velvet)
- Schachenmayr Luxury Velvet (Velvet)
- Bernat Crushed Velvet (Velvet)
Hobbii Yarns:
- Boheme Velvet (Velvet)
- Umami
- Snowstorm
- Woolpower Big
Other
- Katia Bambi (Velvet)
- Infinity Hearts Petunia
- See other yarns here.
Pattern Tester Photos
There were 500+ pattern testers for this book because I wanted to ensure all sizes are satisfied with the pattern and fit! Below you can see photos from the testing process to see how the sweater looks on different bodies with different modifications made using a variety of yarns.
#ModernCrochetSweaters
#SilentNightCardigan
Thanks so much for reading!
You can find my full print book, Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs For Everyday Wear on the shelves of all major retailers or see purchasing options here!
To shop this Silent Night Cardigan crochet pattern, find it on Ravelry, Etsy, or my website!
Shop Bernat Velvet yarn here.
x
Janine
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