Honeyblossom Cardigan
Summer is finally in full swing here in London, and the heady smell of flowers and trees is in the air. No better time then, to introduce you to our newest pattern: Honeyblossom! Adorned with honeycomb-like cables at the yoke and beautiful pleated gathers at the back, it’s just the right thing to throw over a summer dress or jeans.
We were lucky enough to have the lovely Japanese designer Yoko Hatta design Honeyblossom exclusively for Loop! Yoko has written over 20 knitting and crochet books and also regularly designs for Brooklyn Tweed, Vogue Knitting and Keitodeama – a major Japanese knitting magazine. She stopped by the shop recently for a chat, and we are excited to share more about this wonderful designer with you.
Yoko is based in Tokyo where she started knitting and crocheting in the 1970s. From a young age she loved to make things, especially in crochet. Her mother was an editor for lifestyle magazines in Tokyo which included cooking and handicraft. At home there was no TV or computers, but there were always yarns and tools and lots of materials to play with. She was curious and enjoyed making tiny things for her dolls and as well as small animals. Her mum taught her the basics, and from around the age of 12 she started to teach herself by looking at books and figuring things out. She eventually attended Fine Art University where she studied stage set and costume design. Yoko launched into pattern design in the 1970s by working as an assistant knitting designer for small companies. She then went freelance and began to design for Japanese knitting magazines. She says she continues to be inspired by meeting new people, talking, seeing younger people’s ideas and designs, travelling and art exhibitions.
Thank you, Yoko, for the interview and the gorgeous design!
Want to knit your own Honeyblossom? The sample above is knit in BC Garn Semilla Organic DK – a lovely soft merino, and we’ve also knit it in Quince & Co Chickadee. Here are some of our favourite summer colours:
You could even knit the yoke in a contrast colour – we can’t wait to see the lovely versions of Honeyblossom you’ll knit! Happy knitting and happy summer!
this looks beautiful. Where would I find the pattern for this ?
Thanking you Reagrds
You can find it here: http://www.loopknittingshop.com/product/5329/Loop_Honeyblossom_Cardigan
I came over to Loop from France two weeks ago for a heavenly yarn shop and bought the Honeyblossom pattern which I hope to knit with Old Maiden Aunt. I cannot wait to get started.
Tried this on in the shop yesterday and have added it to my queue… The textured cables on the yoke are perfect!
I’ve started mine, the back and fronts are done, the sawmills is gorgeous to knit with and the pattern is well written, hoping to finish and enjoy it soon!
I have received my pattern and cannot wait to start. However it seams that you cast off and then pick up the stitches to do the yoke. Would it not be neater and easier to place on “holding needles” and then join all pieces together without having to pick up the stitches?
Hi Ela
I don’t think that would work as you also decrease stitches as you cast off. I’m at the stage of picking up for the yoke and it looks pretty neat by this method! Good luck tho, i’d be interested to know what you decide.
Hi Chris
I have just completed the back and decreased the stitches in the last row. I now have the correct amount of stitches to work the yoke. Still need to knit the fronts and sleeves, so might be a little while.
Will keep you posted.
I cannot figure out how to finish…all pieces, arms, back and fronts are completed. I bought pattern and yarn at Loop London and worked with a store employee through out the knitting process so I know all my pieces were done correctly.
I just cannot figure out how to get all the pieces together so I can start yoke. It just doesn’t look right and I have tried putting together different ways.
Hi Vicki,
Sorry to hear you are having problems with the construction. Once you have knitted all the separate elements, you first need to sew some of them together.
First you need to sew the raglan seams together – this is the sloping shaping on the fronts, back sleeves. Once you have identified which piece of knitting is which, it might help to lay down on a flat surface as a cardigan so you can pin the seams before you sew. The left front will pin to one side of the left sleeve, then the other side of the left sleeve will pin to the back and so on.
Then, you need to join your sleeves into a tube and join the back to the front. This is done as one long seam starting from the cuff, along the sleeve, up to the armpit and then down the side of the garment to the hem.
Once these pieces are joined together, it will be the basic structure of the cardigan without the yoke. You then just need to follow the instructions to pick up the correct number of stitches around the top of the pieces to start knitting the yoke.
I hope that helps!
Do let us know if you have any problems.
Loop x
I’m loving this pattern and am working on the yoke. I know there must be a way to do the cable without the cable needle but can only find info on 4 stitch + cables. I would think I could do it by knitting into the front of the 2nd stitch and then picking up the first stitch but it isn’t working. Do I need to re-order the stitches before knitting? Thanks.
Hi Linda!
You can use this tutorial for guidance! The method will work for any number of stitches
http://ysolda.com/blog/2014/5/8/technique-thursday-cabling-without-a-cable-needle
Absolutely love this cardigan, it’s utterly charming!