Sounds of Life
Sounds of Life
Sounds of Life is a cardigan pattern with a great relaxed fit, generous pockets, and a standup collar. The yarn I used in this pattern was especially inspirational. Cestari Traditional 2 Ply is woolly, rustic, and buttery soft. It comes from American Targhee-Columbia sheep and is minimally processed, so it retains lots of lanolin and even a few bits of hay. I named the pattern after a beautiful sentiment I found on the Cestari website:
“Sometimes specks of easily removable hay or straw remain in our yarn; owner Francis Chester likes to say that if you put his yarn to your ears, you can almost hear the sounds of life within it.”
Cardigan body is worked back and forth in rows and sleeves are worked in the round to the armholes. Upper Fronts and Back and Sleeve Caps are shaped working back and forth in rows. Shoulders are shaped using short rows, then joined with three-needle bind-off. Sleeve Caps are set in and seamed. Collar and front ribbed edges are picked up and worked after assembly is complete.
Sizes and Finished Measurements
Bust Circumference: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58) in/86.5 (96.5, 106.5, 117, 127, 137, 147.5) cm
Intended to be worn with +2-4 in/5-10 cm of ease at bust for standard fit; shown in size 34 in/86.5 cm with +3 in/7.5 cm of ease on model.
Yarn
970 (1096, 1214, 1333, 1451, 1570, 1688) yd/887 (1002, 1110, 1219, 1327, 1436, 1544) m heavy worsted weight yarn
Shown in Cestari Traditional Wool 2 Ply
Color: Light Gray/Medium Gray Marled; 6 (7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10) skeins
Blocked Gauge
Gauge measurement should be taken after blocking.
16 sts/24 rows = 4 in/10 cm in Stockinette stitch using Needle B or Needle D (suggested size US #8/5 mm)
Needles & Notions
Needle Sizes are recommendations only. Always use needle size necessary to obtain gauge.
32 in/80 cm circular needles:
Needle A: US #6/4 mm
Needle B: US #8/5 mm
Set double pointed needles, long circular for magic loop method, or two circular needles (preferred small-circumference circular knitting method)
Needle C: US #6/4 mm needle
Needle D: US #8/5 mm needle
stitch markers
tapestry needle
five .75 in/2 cm buttons
needle and thread
Skills
working in the round, increasing and decreasing, picking up stitches, seaming, including setting in sleeve caps
The Knitter’s Dude takes inspiration from the iconic Big Lebowski sweater, but it’s designed with the knitter’s enjoyment and inspiration in mind. It’s worked entirely in the round so that the stranded color work never has to be worked on the wrong side, and finishing doesn’t require any seaming.
The fit is relaxed and flattering with compound raglan yoke shaping, a generous collar, and beautiful tubular cast-on and bound-off edges.
The sample is shown on a woman, but the pattern is unisex - there are instructions for modifying the sweater to be more appropriate for men’s/tall sizes, so you can make it work for all the Dudes and Dudettes in your life.
And if you’ve got a tiny one, The Little Dude comes in sizes newborn to age 12! Get The Royal We, the ebook for both patterns.
These patterns were updated with an improved layout in October, 2023 so your knitting experience will be even better.
Read an FAQ about this pattern on my blog.
A Japanese translation is now available through Ravelry.