PUMPKIN ALE STARTED WITH A LIST: for Rhinebeck I wanted a versatile cardigan that could be worn open or closed; worn as a jacket, possibly even layered over a thinner sweater if the weekend was cool; pockets were a must for keeping change, business cards and a map handy; and the silhouette should be one that was easy to wear for many different body shapes. Pumpkin Ale begins with a richly textured back panel that combines garter stitch and some of my favourite cable patterns. Working the panel by itself means that you can focus on the stitch pattern without worrying about shaping the rest of the sweater. Stitches are picked up down each side of the back panel and worked back and forth to create side panels that wrap around to form the front of the cardigan. The shaping within the back cable panel is combined with short rows at the sides to create a flattering flare from the waist. An edging pattern made up of only knit and purl stitches is worked simultaneously: simple but effective. After joining the short shoulder seams, sleeve caps are shaped with short rows on stitches picked up around the armhole. The sleeves are worked in the round from the top down and feature a small cable pattern that echoes that on the back panel. The split cuff is worked back and forth, knit onto the live sleeve stitches. A wide garter stitch band is worked on the live stitches from the fronts and stitches picked up around the back neck; an I-cord bind-off gives a neat finished edge. The neckband can be folded to create a collar or flipped up for extra cosiness when the day turns chilly. It wouldn't be autumn without some plaid flannel, so I used fabric to create the pocket linings; if you don't sew they could just as easily be knit.
THE RHINEBECK SWEATER | 19