This is the second time that I knit a Chartres Cardigan by Amy Lowden. I used the same yarn as for my previous version, just in another colorway. The Chartres Cardigan has the perfect shape and fit for me with the V-neckline and Bishop-sleeves.
Alterations
I did not make any changes to the pattern. This time, I also went with the 8cm cuff length (I made the cuffs a bit shorter in my first version), and I like it very much. So much that I think I will unravel the cuffs from my first version and knit those a bit longer, too.
Yarn/Needle
The yarn is Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk in the colorway “rust”. It is 77% alpaca and 23% silk and sold as aran/worsted. This is what the pattern calls for. I used the needle sizes as recommended by the pattern which was 5 mm for the body, and 4mm/3.75 mm for the cuffs and neckband. Despite the same yarn, this version feels warmer and more cozy. Maybe this is because my yellow cardigan is already 2 years old and the yarn is a bit worn.
Construction
Quote from the pattern: The Chartres Cardigan is a seamless cardigan which is knit top-down. The buttonband is knit at the same time as the rest of the garment so absolutely no seaming is required. I love the technique used for knitting the buttonband. The beginning is unusual as you start with the neckband and afterwards you pick up stitches to knit the front and back. I took some pictures when I made the yellow one:
I really like your cardigan! And I have just that yarn here, Angela When I looked at your pictures I thought “I do not have one cardigan with buttons!” Mine are all open in the front, but sometimes I would like to close it. Hmmmm … lemme think when I can put that one in Thanks for sharing! Liebe Grüße Andrea