Great reads
Create stylish, modern sweaters decorated with stunning cable patterns with this book of Scandinavian-inspired designs
SWEDISH DESIGNER and knitting teacher, Ivar Asplund, has taken an array of classic cable stitch patterns and motifs and used them in appealingly modern ways. His new book, Cable Knits From
Nordic Lands, features 20 garment and accessory projects for adults and children.
Ivar is keen to encourage cable knitting novices to explore the potential of cable patterns, and so provides a range of small projects that will be ideal for beginners, or as stashbuster or quick-knit projects for more experienced knitters. These include simple wristwarmers worked flat, and a hat that’s knitted in the round.
Try reversible cables with the ‘Twist and Turn Scarf’, or play with your own arrangement of cable patterns on the
‘Test Tube Cowl’. The ‘Triple Triangle Shawl’, formed from three sections, uses cables to highlight its smart construction. If you’ve never knitted a cable garment before, a good place to start is the children’s poncho, which is formed from two pieces and has minimal finishing.
There is a tempting choice of garment projects for women, mostly with finished bust measurements of around 35in-44in, although there are a few larger garments. Relaxed, easy-to-wear sweaters include a drop-shoulder jumper with a cable pattern forming a neat scalloped edge; it is called ‘Appearances Can Deceive’, as it’s easier to knit than it looks!
‘Sweater History’ is an elegantly fitted jumper with a square neckline, decorated with lattices and braids. For a looser fit, the ‘Free and Easy Top’ has been designed with plenty of positive ease. This short-sleeved design is covered with delicate cables and knit-and-purl patterns inspired by gansey sweaters.
Other lovely garments include a long V-neck cardigan featuring the classic
X and O cable pattern, and a unisex, round-necked tank top that’s worked in the round with figure-of-eight cable motifs. The ‘Arrow Sweater’ is a beautiful design for children, which has smart twisted stitch motifs paired with tiny cables. The ‘Harmony Cardigan’ for women has raglan shaping, a cabled lattice fabric and neat i-cord edgings; it has small underarm gussets to improve the fit.
The book provides photographic walk-throughs of various techniques, including cable basics, short-row shaping, and finishing. There is also a small stitch dictionary presenting 18 different cable patterns and motifs.