All the fun of the fair! This cardigan is designed to be a joy to wear and keep you comfortable yet happy and entertained while knitting. “Kermis” means fair in Dutch, hence the colourways are Toffee Apple (red/pink/purple), Carousel (grey/turquoise/blue) and Sparrow (cause those little birdies are a beautiful colour and always up for the spilled popcorn from the merry-go-round).

The body is worked flat starting with a long ribbed waistband for flattering shape. It continues with narrow stripes of stocking stitch, which are divided by a row of eyelets. The sleeves and colourwork section of the yoke are knitted in the round. The 12 rows of colourwork in the yoke use a knotted steek – less than 5cm/2”, so a good way to start your steeking career off gently. If you adore it, work the whole body and yoke with a steek. If it scares the bejezus out of you, work the colourwork section flat. Short rows (with all the numbers there to hold your hand while you do it) raise the back of the neck, so that it sits well. Plenty of buttons along the looped-through then knitted buttonband mean no gaping when closed. Bracelet length sleeves keep your hands free. Kermis is perfect for wearing over summer dresses and with high-waisted jeans.

This pattern came about as a collaboration between myself and Cate of Infinite Twist whose beautifully handdyed colours inspired my pattern. You can still get the pattern straight from Cate as part of lovely kit: the yarn is part handspun and part milled and you’ll also get bamboo circular needles, shell buttons, stitch markers and tapestry needle. We got a little carried away and came up with 3 colourways and you might get a bit stuck choosing which one: Carousel, Sparrow and Toffee Apple.

SIZING
Designed to be worn as a fitted cardigan. Measurements should give only a couple of centimetres of positive ease, relying on the stretch of the knit for a good fit. If you want more room, size up.

SCHEMATIC MEASUREMENTS
Waist circumference
78.5 (86, 93.5, 101.5, 109) cm
30.75 (33.75, 37, 40, 43) in
Bottom ribbing length
14.5 (14.5, 15.5, 17, 17) cm
5.5 (5.5, 6.25, 6.75, 6.75) in
Bust circumference
81.5 (89.5, 97.5, 105.5, 113.5) cm
32 (35.25, 38.25, 41.5, 44.5) in
Hem to underarm length
30.5 (30.5, 31.5, 33, 33) cm
12 (12, 12.5, 13, 13) in
Front length
48 (48, 49.5, 53.5, 53.5) cm
18.75 (18.75, 19.5, 21.25, 21.25) in
Back length
52.5 (52.5, 54, 58, 58) cm
20.5 (20.5, 21.25, 23, 23) in
Sleeve length
41.5 (41.5, 43, 46, 46) cm
16.5 (16.5,17, 18.25, 18.25) in
Cuff circumference
22.5 (24, 25.5, 27, 29) cm
8.75 (9.5, 10, 10.75, 11.25) in
Upper sleeve circumference
28 (29.5, 32, 33.5, 36) cm
11 (11.75, 12.5, 13.25, 14.25) in
Cast on edge at cuff to neck
63.5 (63.5, 65, 71, 71) cm
25 (25, 25.75, 28, 28) in
Yoke (shoulder circumference)
102 (113, 126, 137, 150) cm
40.25 (44.5, 49.5, 54, 59) in

ADDITIONAL TENSION/GAUGE
As well as the main tension/gauge, you’ll also want to get:
26 sts x 42 rows = 10cm x 10cm/4”x4” over 2x2 rib using smaller needles.

METERS/YARDAGE
Colour A: Helix
340 (360, 400, 450, 480) m
370 (400, 440, 500, 530) yds
Colour B: Helix
320 (350, 380, 440, 460) m
360 (380, 420, 480, 510) yds
Colour C: Qinghai Handspun
310 (330, 370, 420, 440) m
340 (370, 400, 460, 490) yds
Colour D: Helix
140 (150, 160, 180, 190) m
150 (160, 180, 200, 210) yds
Colour E: Qinghai Handspun
30 (30, 30, 30, 40) m
30 (30, 40, 40, 40) yds
Colour F: Helix
110 (110, 120, 130, 140) m
120 (120, 130, 140, 150) yds