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Little Middle Passage
Design by Gina Griffin

This is one of the first garment patterns that I ever wrote, and it's actually about 5 or 6 years old. I had just begun to think of ways to work in a sort of 'New World' iconology with old world knitting, and I liked the idea of using cables and adding unexpected things. At about the same time, the movie Amistad was released, and my sister was obsessed with the story. Talking to her about her visit to the real ship, the idea for this sweater was born.

I'd always intended to develop an adult version of this sweater first, but the children's pattern seemed like a much better way to get my feet wet, designing with cables. But now, I'd like to move ahead and finally develop the adults pattern later this year.

Level of Difficulty
Intermediate

Gauge
Approx 6 sts and 8 rows = 1” over stockinette stitch

Materials
450 (450, 475) yards of sport weight yarn
#2 and #3 US needles for body
#2 US DPNs or Circs for edgings
Cable needle or stray double pointed needle for cabling
Tapestry needle for finishing seams

Sizes and Specs
2T: Chest is 24”, Length is 14”
3T: Chest is 26”, Length is 15”
4T: Chest is 28”, Length is 16”

Abbreviations
BO – Bind Off
CO – Cast On
K – Knit
P – Purl
DPN – Double Pointed Needle
RS – Right Side
Tog - Together
WS – Wrong Side
Sl – Slip (transfer stitch to right hand or cable needle without working)
St – Stitch

Note: PLEASE READ THROUGH ENTIRE PATTERN BEFORE BEGINNING!

Instructions

Back
Using #2 needles, CO 78, (84, 90) st. Work in K1P1 rib for 2”. Change to #3 US needles and work in seed stitch for another 2”.

Next RS row: P all

Next WS row: K all

Follow Chart A for textured chain insertion.

Chart A

Chart Key Code

Next RS row: K all

Cable and Texture Section:
Row 1 (and every WS row): Purl 3 (6, 9) sts. K1, P1, K1, P4, K1, P2, K1, P4, K1, P1, K38, P1, K1, P4, K1, P2, K1, P4, K1, P1, K1, P last 3 (6, 9) sts.

Row 2 (RS): Knit 3 (6, 9) st. P1, K1, P1. Sl next 2 sts to DPN (or cable needle) and hold in back, K2, then K2 from DPN. P1, K2, P1. Sl next st to DPN and hold in back. K1, then K1 from DPN. Sl next st to DPN and hold in front. K1, then K1 from DPN. P1, K1. P38. K1, P1. Sl next st to DPN and hold in back. K1, then K1 from DPN. Sl next st to DPN and hold in front. K1, then K1 from DPN. P1, K2, P1, Sl next 2 sts to DPN and hold in back. K2, then K2 from DPN. P1, K1, P1. P last 3 (6, 9) sts.

Rows 4 & 6 (RS): Knit 3 (6, 9) st, P1, K1, P1, K4, P1, K2, P1, K4, P1, K1, P38, K1, P1, K4, P1, K2, P1, K4, P1, K1, P1. Knit 3 (6, 9) st.

Row 8 (RS): K 3 (6, 9) st. P1, K1, P1. Sl next 2 st to DPN and hold in front. K2, then K2 from DPN. P1, K2, P1. Sl next st to DPN and hold in front. K1, then K1 from DPN. Sl next st and hold in back. K1, then K1 from DPN. P38. K1, P1. Sl next st to DPN and hold in front. K1, then K1 from DPN. Sl next st to DPN and hold in back. K1, then K1 from DPN. P1, K2, P1. Sl next 2 sts to DPN and hold in front. K2, then K2 from DPN. P1, K2, P1. Knit last 3 (6, 9) sts.

Rows 10 & 12 (RS): Knit 3 (6, 9 sts). P1, K1, P1, K4, P1, K2, P1, K4, P1, K1, P38, K1, P1, K4, P1, K2, P1, K4, P1, K1, P1, Knit last 3 (6, 9) sts.

THESE 12 ROWS make up your cable repeats. Continue to work in cable pattern, as established, until back measures 8.5” (9”, 9.5”) from the bottom edge.

At the beginning of the next RS row, bind off the first 3 sts. Continue in the cable pattern as established to end of row.

Next WS row: BO 3 sts, and continue in pattern as established. (Note: Keep in mind that you'll now have 3 fewer sts. at the beginning and end of each row.)

Continue working in cable pattern until back measures 14” (15”, 16”). BO.

Armhole Shaping:
At the beginning of the next RS row, BO the first 3 sts. Continue in the cable pattern, as established, to end of row.

Next WS row: BO 3 sts, and continue in pattern as established. (Note: Keep in mind that you'll now have 3 fewer sts at the beginning and end of each row.)

Continue working in cable pattern until back measures 14" (15", 16"). BO.

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