I knit this piece back in 2019 with the intention to eventually share it with you as a Studio Project.

My memory though is now a bit hazy so my project notes are a little more brief than usual.

I do remember what prompted the cast on though – I think you know the feeling - the one where you just have to have it!

The Truss cardigan is definitely a modern classic with some superb details.

Find out how it knit up in Loch Lomond GOTS below.

Enjoy!

Andrea - Loom + Spindle

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STUDIO PROJECT | TRUSS

INTENTION

Knit the Truss cardigan and explore:

• Working with Loch Lomond Bio

• Working a garment flat and in pieces

DESIGN

The Truss cardigan pattern was designed by Melissa Wehrle and first published by Brooklyn Tweed in June 2015. It’s currently available to purchase as a digital download at Ravelry.com or BrooklynTweed.com.

The pattern is available in 8 sizes. I knit size 3 with a finished bust circumference of 113.5cm (44.75’’).

SKILLS

• Tubular cast on

• Knitting flat

• Increasing and decreasing

• Reading charts

• Working buttonholes

• Seaming

TOOLS

• 4mm (US 6) and 3.5mm (US 4) Brittany 35cm (14'') straight knitting needles

MATERIALS

WAITLIST

Quick View

Loch Lomond GOTS | Curry (01)

PROCESS

YARN SELECTION

• This one was easy; I love working with the light and lofty Loch Lomond GOTS. Gauge was a good fit too. A few projects that were already on Ravelry inspired the final ‘Curry’ colour selection.

CONSTRUCTION

• The garment is knit flat in pieces.

• The decreasing rib pattern was engaging, and the body of the cardigan flew off the needles.

  *I know working flat is a bit old school, but I like to alternate my knitting projects between working in the round and working flat. I hold my needles and flick the yarn slightly differently between the two styles, it seems to help reduce my knitting related aches and pains – especially when I’ve been over doing it.

FINISHING

• I blocked all pieces before seaming, taking care to match the seam lengths to the pattern. I did have to be a bit creative here while the pieces were wet to stretch everything out to the correct shape and size.

• I used a baste stitch to hold and align the pieces for seaming. This kept everything in place while using back stitch to seam the selvages.

• And I’ll fess up to one error in judgement. Rather than pick up stitches for the collar using circular needles I cast on the collar band as a separate piece. This got around the fact that I didn’t have circular needles on hand (and my dislike for picking up stitches). It did present problems when it came to buttonhole placement and sewing the band in place. But, with some careful counting and gauge measurements I think I got everything in the right place in the end.

INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

YARN

• Loch Lomond GOTS creates a wonderfully light fabric for a worsted weight yarn. Perfect for our Aussie climate. I love all the extra colours you get with the little tweedy flecks.

CONSTRUCTION + FINISHING

• Little elements like the tubular cast, the decreasing rib pattern and seaming really gave this piece a professional finish. I highly recommend blocking the individual pieces before attempting to seam the garment.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Truss cardigan is such a classic piece and relatively quick to knit at this gauge. What more can I say!

If you would you like to save this project for later add it to your Ravelry favourites HERE.

Knitting Truss in Loch Lomond GOTS?

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Size 1 - 6 Skeins

• Size 2 - 6 Skeins

• Size 3 – 7 Skeins

• Size 4 – 7 Skeins

• Size 5 – 8 Skeins

• Size 6 - 9 Skeins

• Size 7 - 10 Skeins

• Size 8 – 11 Skeins

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THANK YOU FOR READING!

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“Smooth seas do not make skilful sailors.”

— African Proverb

As a textile maker I love the challenge of a new project - learning about a new yarn or fibre, tackling a new construction method or perhaps just practicing a not so familiar technique.

With its irresistibly cute sailor collar and classic red on white colourwork detail, Junko Okamoto’s Child and Mam children’s sweater embodied all three of these challenges for me.

Knit in BC Garn’s Bio Shetland, a new yarn for me, I detail below my experience knitting two-colour colourwork and working a sailor collar in the knitted fabric.

Enjoy!

Andrea - Loom & Spindle

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PROJECT: Child and Mam

INTENTION

Knit the Child and Mam sweater and explore:

• Working with a Shetland style yarn

• Working two-colour colourwork flat

• Sailor collar construction in the knitted fabric

SKILLS

• Casting on and off

• Knitting flat and in the round

• Reading colourwork charts

• Increasing and decreasing

• Short row shaping

• Two-colour colourwork worked flat

TOOLS

• Knitting needles – 3.25 mm (US 3) and 3.75 mm (US 5) circular needles.
  I used Chiaogoo Spin Bamboo Interchangables.

MATERIALS

WAITLIST

Quick View

Bio Shetland GOTS | Sheep White (40)

WAITLIST

Quick View

Bio Shetland GOTS | Cherry (35)

PATTERN

The Child and Mam (Child) pattern was published by Junko Okamoto in September 2015 and is available for free download at Ravelry.

Pattern available for sizes 3, 4 and 5 years old.

I knit a size 4, finished chest circumference 102.5cm (40.3’’)

PROCESS

YARN SELECTION

• The red on white styling of Junko’s original version is what really drew me to this project.

• To recreate the look with one of our shop yarns I sampled BC Garn’s Bio Shetland, a rustic Shetland style yarn built for colourwork.

• I used the colourways Sheep White, a lightly heathered natural shade, and the eye-popping Cherry Red. 

COLOURWORK

• Having swatched to determine gauge and needle size, I began the project as the pattern directs and worked the collar using the two contrasting colours.

• Working the colourwork flat, I paid close attention to maintaining an even tension particularly when working the purl-side of the fabric, and neatly interlocked the two contrasting yarns at the edge of the patterned area.

• The chart was clear, but I did trip up on the chevron pattern where the centre section has five rows and the outer sections have four. Having missed that fifth row I quickly realised my mistake when the following row was misaligned, I was able to rip back and correct it without issue.

CONSTRUCTION

• The pattern was knit top-down in one piece combining elements that were either worked flat or in-the-round.

• I did find it hard to visualise how the collar and neck shaping would come together. I put my faith in the pattern and continued working as the pattern directed.

• Junko details some clever short row shaping for the left and right sides of the neck. These two elements eventually join at the front with an overlap of fabric, a nice detail.

• More short row shaping raised the back neck for a comfortable fit.

• I must admit that I didn’t tackle the Japanese short rows as suggested, instead I used the wrap-and-turn technique achieving the same outcome. I’ll have to investigate this new technique for next time.

• Knitting the remainder of the garment was quite straight forward and came together without problem.

FINISHING

To finish, the sweater was immersed in a bath of cool water for around 10 minutes, the water was drained, and the sweater pressed between towels to remove the excess. The piece was pinned out on a blocking matt, attention given to shaping the sweater and aligning the colourwork.

Once dry the gauge measured at: 

• 20 stitches over 10cm (4'')

• 32 rows over 10cm (4'')

• Chest circumference, 102.5cm (40.3’’) 

Total meterage:

• Approx. 313m (342y).

• The finished garment weighed just 95g (3.35oz)!

INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Yarn

• Bio Shetland is a toothy yarn perfect for colourwork.

• It produced a light and airy fabric with a rustic hand-feel.

• The subtle grey heather in the natural shade gives the garment a rustic character.

• Though Bio Shetland is a lighter yarn than what was originally used in the pattern I had no trouble achieving gauge.

Colourwork

• The colourwork chart was clear and easy to follow.

• The classic red on white palette definitely makes this a standout piece.

• The colourwork is limited to the collar section making it a great first colourwork project.

Construction

• The short row shaping was really interesting and not something I’d tried before for a collar construction.

• It definitely helped that I was already familiar with the short-row technique, I wouldn’t say it was impossible if you’re giving it a go for the first time.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, this is a great design that worked up relatively quickly.

The yarn was great on yardage, the final count coming in under what the pattern suggested.

I love the sailor collar, such a unique design element. It would be perfect for any little sailors in your life.

And if you were thinking you’d like one too, Junko also has an adult version. And yes, it’s FREE. Thanks, Junko!

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THANK YOU FOR READING!

Would you like to save this project for later?

Add it to your Ravelry favourites HERE.

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Knitting Child and Mam (Child) in Bio Shetland?

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Size 3 years - MC: 2 skeins, CC: 1 Skein

• Size 4 years - MC: 2 skeins, CC: 1 Skein

• Size 5 years - MC: 3 skeins, CC: 1 Skein

WAITLIST

Yarn Kit | Child and Mam

from $35.70

Size:

Select Size 3 - 4 years5 Years

3 - 4 years 5 Years

Kit Colour:

Select Kit Colour White/RedGreen/WhiteBlue/White

White/Red Green/White Blue/White

Add To Cart

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