Olivia May Tricot Colin in Corda: A Complete Knitting Guide

Olivia May’s Tricot Colin in Corda is a knitting pattern for a textured, slightly oversized cardigan worked in a single piece from the top down. The pattern uses a simple repeating stitch that creates a dense, warm fabric, and it is designed for worsted-weight yarn. This guide explains the pattern’s construction, the materials you need, and the techniques that make it a good project for an intermediate knitter.

Pattern Construction and Fit

The Tricot Colin is a top-down yoke cardigan. You start at the neckline, increase stitches for the shoulders and chest, then separate the sleeves from the body. This method lets you try on the cardigan as you knit and adjust the length of the body or sleeves easily.

The cardigan has a relaxed, straight fit. It is not fitted at the waist, so it works well worn open over a shirt or a thin sweater. The pattern includes instructions for multiple sizes, typically ranging from XS to 3XL. The finished chest measurement is designed to have about 4 to 6 inches of positive ease. If your chest measures 38 inches, you would knit the size meant for a 42- or 44-inch finished chest.

The length falls at the hip. You can adjust it by working extra rows before the ribbing, but the pattern as written gives a standard hip-length finish.

Materials and Gauge

You need worsted-weight yarn (also called aran weight in some regions). A wool or wool-blend yarn works best because the stitch pattern needs some bounce and memory. Acrylic yarns can work, but they may not hold the texture as well. For the original sample, a single-ply worsted wool was used. You need roughly 1000 to 1400 yards depending on size.

Needles are US size 7 (4.5 mm) for the main fabric and US size 6 (4.0 mm) for the ribbing. You need a circular needle at least 32 inches long to hold all the stitches for the yoke. You also need stitch markers, a darning needle for weaving ends, and buttons. The pattern calls for five buttons, each about 3/4 inch in diameter.

Gauge is critical for this pattern. The stitch pattern is a slipped-stitch texture that draws in slightly. The specified gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in the stitch pattern, after blocking. Always knit a swatch, wash it, and let it dry flat before measuring. If your gauge is off, the cardigan will not fit correctly. A half-stitch difference per inch can change the finished chest size by 2 to 3 inches.

Yarn Substitution Tips

If you want to use a different yarn, look for one with a similar yardage per gram. A standard worsted weight gives about 200 to 220 yards per 100 grams. Choose a yarn with good stitch definition — smooth, non-fuzzy yarns show the texture best. Avoid very soft, loosely spun yarns because they may pill quickly at the collar and cuffs.

The Stitch Pattern and Techniques

The main stitch is a four-row repeat that uses slipped stitches and yarn overs to create a dense, pebbled texture. It is not a true cable or lace pattern. The fabric lies flat and has very little curl, which makes the button bands and edges neat without heavy finishing.

Here is a simplified description of the stitch pattern worked flat:

• Row 1 (right side): Knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (wrong side): Purl all stitches.
• Row 3: Knit 1, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back, yarn over repeat to last stitch, knit 1.
• Row 4: Purl 1, slip the yarn-over and the slipped stitch together off the needle as one stitch, then pass the slipped stitch over the yarn-over repeat to last stitch, purl 1.

The pattern includes a chart and written instructions. If you have not worked a slipped-stitch pattern before, practice on a small swatch. The yarn overs and slipped stitches create a fabric that is thicker than stockinette, so the cardigan is warm and holds its shape.

Button Band and Buttonholes

The button bands are knit as part of the front pieces. You do not pick up stitches later. The left front band (for women’s sizing) has buttonholes worked at even intervals. The right front band has no buttonholes. The buttonholes are a simple two-row eyelet: on the right-side row, you bind off two stitches, and on the next row, you cast them back on. The pattern tells you exactly which rows to place them on based on your size.

Finishing and Blocking

After you bind off the last stitches, you have very little seaming. The only seams are under the arms, where you close the small gap left when you separated the sleeves. You sew these with a mattress stitch or a simple whip stitch.

Blocking is important for this cardigan. Wash it in cool water with a mild wool wash, then roll it in a towel to remove excess water. Lay it flat on a blocking mat and shape it to the finished measurements. Pay attention to the button bands — they should lie straight and not pull. Let it dry completely, which can take 24 to 48 hours depending on humidity.

After blocking, sew on the buttons. Place the cardigan on a flat surface and line up the button bands. Mark the button positions through the buttonholes on the right band. Sew each button securely with a thread shank (a small gap between the button and the fabric) so the button band does not pucker.

Key Takeaways

• The Tricot Colin is a top-down, seamless cardigan with a slipped-stitch texture. It is knit in one piece from the neckline.
• Use a worsted-weight wool or wool-blend yarn and check your gauge with a blocked swatch. The pattern gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches.
• The stitch pattern is a four-row repeat of slipped stitches and yarn overs. Practice on a swatch if you are new to the technique.
• Button bands are knit as part of the front, with eyelet buttonholes placed by size. No separate band picking-up is needed.
• Block the finished cardigan flat to even out the texture and set the final shape. Sew buttons with a thread shank for a clean fit.