Patternum Novum: Snowcloud Shrug

Last October, I was thrilled to have my Snowdrift Shrug included in Knitscene's Winter 2012 issue. Snowdrift was worked up in super bulky weight yarn (Twinkle Handknits Baby Chunky to be exact), and this is what she looks like:

Soon after the Knitscene issue came out, I started getting messages from knitters about modifying the cardi to be worked in a lighter weight yarn. Either they lived in a climate where a super bulky sweater was not going to be particularly practical, or they didn't have any super bulky yarn in stash.  (Plus, I don't know if you've noticed, but bulky yarns are expensive!)  So I decided right then and there that when the rights to the design reverted back to me, I would completely rework the pattern for worsted weight yarn.  And Snowcloud is the result.

Snowcloud - $6 via Ravelry (no account required)

Snowcloud is an open cardigan/shrug knit from the top down, all in the softly textured Seed Stitch pattern. This version take 3 to 6 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted -- I adore the way the pattern looks in this single ply yarn.  There is no waist shaping in the body, and it is meant to be worn with some positive ease. (In the photos, I'm modeling it with about 1.5" of positive ease...in other words, the sample is 1.5" larger in the bust than my own bust measurement.)  Short rows shape the collar, hem, and sleeve cuffs to give them gentle curves and a bit of "puff". And don't worry if you haven't done short rows before -- the pattern will tell you how!

After taking photos of this sweater, I realized a couple of them were almost exactly like my original design sketch, so I just had to share. I even nailed the hairstyle!

The specs...

Sizes: Finished bust - 30.75 (34.5, 38.25, 42.5, 47.25, 49.75, 54.25, 58.5)” / 78 (87.5, 97, 108, 120, 126.5, 138, 148.5) cm
Length from back neck to hem (excluding collar) - 17.25 (18.5, 18.75, 20.25, 20.75, 22, 22.75, 24)” / 44 (47, 47.5, 51, 52.5, 56, 58, 61) cm
Sample is shown in size 34.5” / 87.5 cm, worn with 1.5”/ 4 cm of positive ease.

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% Merino; 210 yds / 192 m per 100g); 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6) skeins in Pigeon
Or, 625 (700, 775, 860, 960, 1010, 1100, 1185) yds / 570 (640, 710, 785, 880, 925, 1005, 1085) m of an Aran weight yarn (single ply yarns recommended, but not required)

Needles: US 8 (5 mm) circular needle, 24-60" / 60-150 cm long, depending on size made, OR size needed to obtain gauge
Same size needles preferred for working a small circumference in the round (e.g. circular needle long enough for Magic Loop or dpns)

Gauge: 15 sts & 24 rows = 4”/ 10 cm in Seed St
16 sts & 20 rows = 4” / 10 cm in Stockinette St
(Gauge swatches were made using US 8 needles and were blocked before taking measurements.)

Technical editing by Alison Green.

For more information on Snowcloud, you can check it out on Ravelry, here.

Also, if you have any questions or comments about Snowcloud, or you decide to make one, I'd love to hear from you in The Yarniad's Symposium Ravelry group!