Fundamental Top-Down Cardigan for Women

I am always, always glad to tell you when a new pattern comes out, but this one has me very excited. If you've been stopping by in the past six months or so, you know I've been working on this for a while. We talked about raglan line options, how to attach buttons, and even fancy edge finishing.

Well, now it's all come together for a cardigan for us ladies!

The Fundamental Top-Down Women's Cardigan from Figheadh.

Last weekend Natalie and her boyfriend Jesse and I went to the park to get some shots. It was a perfect fall day for it.

 On this purple one you see I opted for a crew neck and ribbon backing on the button band. Luckily I already had the perfect green and purple Argyle grosgrain ribbon, these Celtic knot buttons, and the Elsebeth Lavold Classic AL in my stash. This cardigan fits perfectly, because I decided how long I wanted the sleeves and the body. That was easy with the seamless, top-down construction.

Natalie did the same with hers in Patons Classic Wool in red and grey, except that she chose a V-neck, instructions for which are also included in the pattern. It was easy for her to do striping to make use of two bunches of yarn that each on its own would not have been enough. These cardigans are great for striping.

This is a very soft, warm cardigan for a chilly day in the park fiddling with spiky chestnut husks, from which the squirrels had eaten all the insides--they are hungry little dudes.

A couple of months ago when it was still only slightly chilly, Natalie got some pictures of the cardigan I made in Schaefer Sandra from this same pattern. I thought I'd try the V-neck version myself on this one. I still like the crew neck best.  

But because so many of you said you prefer V-neck, it's well treated in this pattern, which has separate instructions for all 12 sizes (from size 32" bust up to size 54" bust) in each of its four yarn weights. You can use whatever yarn will bring 6, 5, 4, or 3 stitches to the inch or all of the above! I hope you'll give this pattern a try. It's one you will use forever and not just for yourself. You can make all your friends cardigans and never have to leave your stash. But I know you want to start with at least one for yourself, don't you?

Note: Two of these yarns have been discontinued (like I said--I raided my stash!) but you can use virtually any yarn for this pattern. I'll bet you've got sweater amounts hiding in your own personal yarn mountain--go find 'em!