Pattern Review: Merle Cable Knit Cardigan by Norah Gaughan

Few things bring me as much joy as knitting a gift for someone I love. For over a year I have wanted to knit something special for my mum, but choosing the right project was surprisingly challenging. It needed to be something she’d actually like and want to wear – not an item that would quickly be relegated to the back of the closet, never to be seen again. After much deliberation, I settled on the idea of a cardigan and the search for the perfect pattern ensued. Then I found Merle, by Norah Gaughan.

Details of Merle Cable Cardigan by Norah Gaughan

As soon as I set eyes on this design, I knew it was the one. This cable knit cardigan is simply gorgeous and the pattern design is nothing short of genius. Starting at the back of the neck, the cardigan is knit entirely in one piece from the top down. The stunning cable design keeps the knitting interesting, yet it is not at all overwhelming. Instead of using the recommended yarn (Berroco Elements), I knit this Merle cable cardigan with Spud & Chloe Sweater, in a medium grey colorway. This organic and machine washable yarn is a blend of wool (55%) and organic cotton (45%), and is an absolute dream to knit with. When knitting cables, it’s best to avoid colors that are too dark, otherwise the details of the cable work can be hard to see. Also, I chose a neutral color, so that the cardigan could be worn as an everyday item, with any combination of colorful accessories and scarves. A creamy color would also show off the cable pattern beautifully.

Mum wearing her Merle Cable Cardigan

While knitting this cable knit cardigan, I had the opportunity to experiment with various cable needles and found that my favorite was a short wooden double pointed needle. The wood tends to grip the stitches better so the needle is less likely to slip out. At one point, I lost my cable needle and found that a golf tee was a great substitute in a pinch. I simply slipped the stitches onto the golf tee, and then back to the left needle and knit them from there.

Tucking the cable needle in my boot for safe-keeping

This is a fantastic pattern for a cable knit cardigan and I highly recommend it. If you are interested in knitting this cardigan, you can find the pattern here: Merle. Also, Norah has written here own notes about the pattern at Norah’s Knits and is worth a look for extra tips and tricks. If you decide to give it a go, I’d love to see your finished projects. You can connect with me on Google+, Pinterest, and Instagram (see buttons above) or on Ravelry (delishknits).

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