First Attempt at Knitting Clotilde

The Clotilde Cardigan is made up of a “bold, diamond lace pattern” and the first time I saw it I knew I wanted it.  This sweater is unique and gorgeous.

This chunky sweater is knit using a worsted weight yarn along with Mohair. It is knit with large needles – size 10US for the neck and 15US for the main part of the sweater.

See / Buy Clotilde Cardigan pattern

I have only one photo to share because this is as far as I got with my knitting. I was having no fun, so I frogged it.

Yarn used is Alafosslopi and I had hoped to use up most of my Lopi during this project. Alas… I just can’t do it. I’m not done for good, but I’ll do things differently next time.

Biggest reason I disliked this knit

Big reason I stopped was that I don’t like using big needles. The stitches were so tight on that size 15 needle that I struggled with every one. The collar is knit with a smaller size 10 and it went fine.

I decided to try this pattern using a smaller, size 10US needle. This was much easier and I knit a swatch from the “front” in the XL size.

Intricate Pattern, and Knitting From Charts (Many Charts)

I read all the comments from previous knitters of the Clotilde and the big complaints were about the charts. All of the lace parts – which means most of this sweater – are in chart form only. Not only that, there are many charts to accommodate each section of the sweater (ex. sleeve, back, fronts, etc.). As you knit along, you must do each ROW of knitting using various charts. 

I don’t knit lace, but I realized I would have to do so for this sweater. Yarn overs are still something I can screw up nicely, and that “left leaning decrease” got me. I don’t think I was doing it correctly. 

That number 3 is explained on the “Key” page. I saw complaints about no explanation for it, but now it is there.

Ds or Double Stitch

And then I was stumped by the Ds – double stitch abbreviation at the beginning of the new row of knitting. It simply means do the German Short Row stitch. (Pernille Larson, the designer, gives links to tutorials but they are all in Danish.) The work is turned from the previous row of knitting and then the stitch is done first thing on that following row. (Yarn forward, slip stitch from left to right needle and pull the stitch up and over. Continue knitting, or purling, as needed.)

Before I knit this again…

I already know I will attempt to knit this pattern again at some point, because I love the look of this sweater! I plan to do a large swatch (at least one) and learn how to correctly combine the yarn overs and the stitches I had trouble with. I can’t successfully knit this sweater if I can’t accomplish the stitches!

Smaller needles are a must for me. Someone asked if they could knit the Clotilde in a larger size but using smaller needles, to get the same effect. I didn’t find an answer, but I wonder that too.

In the End

While knitting this pattern, I didn’t get far. A couple of rows of German Short Rows and I quit. I’m so glad I did not buy yarn specifically for this project. The pattern is an advanced one for me, so I’ll use one single yarn – not two or more held together. I’ll try it with smaller needles. I’ll practice all the stitches on swatches to be sure I know what I’m doing. 

Any advanced knitter, who is comfortable with knitting lace and reading charts, could handle this pattern. This one is not for beginners.

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