This week has been so cold and rainy here in Israel – a real winter week. We are still in a full lockdown, like many others in the world. It looks like it’ll be in place till the end of January or maybe even further. So, with this situation I can’t host my weekly knitting and crochet classes. I miss my students so much and the special vibes on our meetings. On the other hand, I do have more time for designing and for pattern writing, which makes me remember how I LOVE it. I love developing and writing patterns. There are a few new projects on my needles at the moment which I hope to be able to publish soon. On the last few days I’ve been writing down this adorable little Cardigan for Chunky Benji to keep my Chunky Benji warm through these cold days. Thanks to Yael, my beloved student who tested it and checked every little detail on the pattern, I now have a new knitting pattern in my Etsy shop.
cardigan for chunky benji
20% off introductory price On Chuny Benji and his new cardigan patterns

Both the new cardigan and Chunky Benji patterns are now available for 20% off as a special introductory price. This special offer is available for the whole weekend ending Monday midnight, January 25th – Jerusalem time. No code needed. Shop Cardigan pattern here. Shop Chunky Benji pattern here.Cardigan for chunky benji

Everything you need to know about this pattern

We’ve been knitting this cardigan on our weekly meetings out of a note saved on my phone, for a few months actually. A note I created while designing and knitting my first cardigan version. Last weekend I knitted it’s final version, made some fine tuning on the pattern and on Saturday night I sewed the 4 little buttons. Now the pattern is finally written down properly as a PDF file, and you can also give it a go if you like. So, here is everything you need to know before you get started.

 A cardigan for Chunky Benji

This new knitting pattern is a cardigan for Chunky Benji – the bigger bear in the above picture. A cute little raglan cardigan that is worked from the top down with raglan increases. The body is worked back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round. When the yoke shaping is completed, the sleeve stitches are placed on hold and the underarm stitches are cast on. Then the body is worked back and forth with a little colour work pattern ending with ribbing. The button and buttonhole bands are knitted at the end from stitches picked up and knitted along the front edges of the cardigan. Then the sleeve stitches are picked up again to work them in rounds top down to the cuffs.

Knitting Pattern Level

The pattern is written step-by-step followed with a few video tutorials from my YouTube channel. In these videos I show ‘how to’ on some of the basics of knitting, which will make it easier for you to follow, even if you are a beginner. There’s a little pattern with colour work at the bottom part of the cardigan, so you will need to work 3 rows using 2 different colours. See tips for knitting colour work at the end of the post.cardigan for chunky benji

Size

it’s a one size cardigan made to fit my Chunky Benji pattern. Back length from CO to BO – 14 cm / 5.5 inch finished sweater circumference: Aproxx 21.5 cm /  8.5 inch – measured on the widest point. Please make sure not to get confused, it’s not made to fit Benji the Bear, which is the smaller bear pattern ( with the stripes ) in my Etsy shop. It was made to fit CHUNCY BENJI. Read everything about Chunky Benji pattern here

Suggested Yarn

For the sample you see here I used: Sandnes Garn Duo. Dk weight yarn 50 gr = 124 meter. Sample shown in: Main color 2652 & Contrast colour 1015. You will need 50 gr’ from the main col. and about 5 gr’ of the contrast col. for the pattern rows. Please use any yarn similar in size, play with it but just make sure your gauge is not off too much.Cardigan for chunky benji

Suggested Needles

For Main Fabric you will need – US 5 (3.75 mm) – 32 inch (80 cm) Circular needles. Same size DPN’s for sleeves or use the magic lp method. For ribbing – US 3 (3.25 mm) – 32 inch (80 cm) Circular needles. Same size DPNs for sleeves ribbing or use the magic lp method. I enjoyed using my Chiaogoo mini set for this project.

Gauge

22 sts & 30 rows = 4×4 inches (10×10 cm). Measured over Stockinette stitch on larger needle after blocking. Please take the time to knit a swatch and use needles to obtain gauge.

You will also need

Stitch holders or waste yarn, stitch markers, 4 buttons approximately 0.5″ (12 mm) diameter, tapestry needle, blocking tools.

Tips for knitting the pattern section

In order to get your pattern clear and if you want it to pop out, hold your yarn loosely and don’t knit too tight. If you hold the yarn too tight your pattern will not show out and you will barely see it. Leave a float long enough at the back of the work so the sts will not get stretched. See this video to get the idea of keeping your floats loosely on colour work.

So, this is it for today. Hope you love my new Cardigan for Chunky Benji and that you know someone that this little adorable garment will make him / her happy. Enjoy my special introductory price for both Bear and Cardi patterns, during this weekend. I will be uploading more knitting video tutorials to my YouTube channel soon so go get Subscribed. Thank you for joining me here today. Happy knitting xxMo