This pattern can be found in issue 13 of Laine Magazine.

Hutton is a cozy, comforting, slightly over-sized cardigan, with a deep ribbed collar and edging and inset pockets. Perfect for autumnal walks or winter nights huddled around the fire!

Hutton is knitted in a plump DK weight yarn using a simple two-colour slip stitch pattern. Only one colour is worked on any one row but an all-over two-colour pattern results. The cardigan is knitted from the bottom up commencing with a deep 2x2 ribbed welt. The lower body is unshaped but is split at the sides to insert deep inset pockets for maximum snuggle. The body is divided at the underarm and fronts and back worked separately until they are joined at the shoulders using a visible three-needle cast off. Sleeves are picked up around the armhole and worked downwards to achieve the perfect length; four lengths of sleeve are provided, short, medium, long and extra-long. The stitches for the collar and deep front bands are picked up and then the collar and bands are knitted in one piece with short rows worked to create a deeper shaped collar. A separate knitted belt is worked to tie around the waist.

Hutton is inspired by cardigans of this type which have appeared since the very beginning of the twentieth century in many forms, and always completely gender neutral. Oversized and comfy, the length and shaping would change, the size of the collar would alter with the fashions, different surface patterns and textures would be used; but the basic structure remained the same. From its appearance in Edwardian times as one of the first ‘casual’ items of outerwear, it later contributed to the androgynous look of the 1920s. It then re-appeared in the late 1950s as a ‘his and hers’ wardrobe staple, now sometimes shaped at the waist and made famous by both Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. In the 1970s it emerged once again; longer, softer, more over-sized, re-invented by Ralph Lauren and appearing regularly in the TV show Starsky and Hutch, or worn by lithe models in perfume adverts. In the 1980s think mohair and intarsia, then in the 1990s it was adopted by grunge to look deliberately unkempt and now in the twenty-first century it remains as popular and universal as ever. We recommend a size with 20–25cm (8–10in) positive ease.

Hutton is knitted using Susan Crawford Barn, 100% British wool, a plump DK weight yarn hand-dyed at our Lake District studio. When choosing colours, I would recommend selecting one light and one dark shade for maximum contrast.

The pattern includes nine sizes to fit from 76-167 cm (30-66 inch) chest and includes comprehensive written instructions, sizing chart and schematic. The sample shown is the second size to fit 86-92 cm (34-36 in) chest.

Yarn kits are available at Susan Crawford Vintage.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Barn, 100% British wool, a unique blend of Jacob, white Shetland and black Shetland fleeces, DK weight (225m / 246yds per 100g skein approx)
Two-Colour Option
6 (7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11) skeins Undergrowth – Yarn A
4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) skeins Sunset Over the Bay – Yarn B

Three-Colour Option
4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9) skeins Glimpse of the Sea – Yarn C
4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) skeins Hay Bale – Yarn D
2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3) skeins Room of My Own – Yarn E

Gauge
20 sts and 34 rounds/rows = 10cm (4in) Dogtooth Check Pattern, after blocking.
20 sts and 26 rounds/rows = 10cm (4in) in stocking stitch, after blocking.
We obtained both these gauges on 4mm needles.

Suggested needles
Small Needles: 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle (100cm in length)
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle (40–50cm in length)
Set of 3.5 mm (US 4) DPNs
Large Needles: 4 mm (US 6) circular needle (100cm in length)
4 mm (US 6) circular needle (40–50cm in length)

Notions
Waste yarn or stitch holders
Stitch markers
Large press fastener (optional)

Techniques
Two colour slip stitch
Inset pockets
Short row shaping
Picking up stitches