JoJo

Next design from Strands of Joy is of the two men's sweaters in the book.

What: JoJo / Own pattern

How: Circular needle 4.0 mm

From: Hedgehog Fibres Merino DK, 550 g

I could just say that JoJo is a classic men's cardigan with simple geometric colourwork. But it's so much more.

For this book, I designed for men for the first time. It took some work and had a bit of a learning curve. First, I had to gather a men's measurements table with all the required measurements. Second, I had to learn how to grade men's sweaters as they can need very different amounts of ease at various places compared to women's sweaters. But this one turned out really great.

It was a big deal for me to get Hubby to do the modeling and hence, this cardigan is the sweetest thing. First of all, the colourwork is a match to a women's sweater in the book so these two are basically a knitter's version of matching shell suits. Second, JoJo was not only my nickname when I was younger but it also includes both of our names. Cheesy, as promised.

The cardigan is worked flat, top-down. This means there's stranded knitting on WS rows too but the pattern is simple and only on the waist. The sleeves are worked in the round so no worrying about WS there.

The cardigan has a V-neck and raglan sleeves. One of my favorite details is the garter stitch on the raglan seams.

The buttonband is worked last and bound off with the contrast colour using i-cord bind-off. It gives JoJo a really sleek finishing touch.

You can find all the info below to get started planning for your own JoJos. Some of the pics are by Laine for the book and some we took ourselves.

Size

XXS-XS-S-M1 [M2-L1-L2-XL] 2XL-3XL-4XL-5XL

This cardigan is meant to be worn with positive ease. Choose a size with approx. 2’’ / 5 cm positive ease at chest circumference.

Finished measurements

Chest circumference: 37-38.75-40.5-42 [45.5-47.25-48.75-50.5] 55.5-59-62.25-65.75’’ / 92.5-97-101-105.5 [113.5-118-122-126.5] 139-147.5-156-164 cm

Yarn

Hedgehog Fibres Merino DK (100% SW merino, 200 m / 115 g), or other DK weight yarn. Shown in colors Construct (MC) and Graphite (CC).

5-5-5-5 [6-6-6-6] 7-7-8-8 skeins of MC, 1 skein of CC.

Yardage

MC: 910-935-1010-1050 [1150-1200-1240-1295] 1420-1525-1620-1715 yrds / 830-855-925-960 [1050-1095-1135-1180] 1300-1395-1480-1565 m,

CC: 145-155-160-165 [165-170-175-180] 185-195-205-220 yrds / 135-140-145-150 [150-155-160-165] 170-180-190-200 m.

Needles

US 6 (4.0 mm) - 40’’ / 100 cm long circular needles and dpns if you prefer to work the sleeves with them. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the right gauge.

Gauge

19 sts x 25 rnds = 4x4’’ / 10x10 cm in stockinette stitch, worked flat (after blocking).

19 sts x 22 rnds = 4x4’’ / 10x10 cm in color work, worked flat (after blocking).

Other

4 stitch markers, tapestry needle, 6 buttons (0.75’’ / 2 cm diameter).