The knit + sewing book written by Carrie of Madder and Jen of Grainline Studio, UNIFORM and UNIFORM little, are now in the Making market. To celebrate, starting Tuesday, April 24th, we're co-hosting a UNIFORM makealong with Jen Beeman of Grainline Studio.

We love the feeling of creating side-by-side with other makers; the inspiration derived from seeing how another person interprets a project keeps us encouraged to continue making. We hope knitter and sewer alike (as well as those who enjoy both!) come together with us to create something to be worn for years to come.

To participate, use hashtag #uniformmakealong on Instagram to show us your progress, so we can keep track of your work! We'll be plucking away at our projects until Tuesday, June 26th, and we'll randomly draw three giveaway winners: one for a sewn project, another for a knitted project, and the last for a work-in-progress. We know the challenge of finishing a full garment by a prescribed deadline prevents some from participating in the collective sew and knitalongs, and we hope everyone feels like they can participate in creating with us, regardless of timeline.

The UNIFORM cardigan is written in two weights of yarn, fingering and worsted, which truly opens up the possibilities for yarn choice. We've successfully knit cardigans using Quince & Co. Lark / Owl, Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, Swan's Island Pure Blends Worsted, and The Fiber Co. Canopy Worsted for the worsted-weight cardigan, as well as Classic Elite Yarns Fresco, Brooklyn Tweed Loft, Woolfolk Tynd, The Fiber Co. Canopy Fingering, and Quince & Co. Sparrow / Chickadee for the light-weight version.

As with choosing yarn for any knitting pattern, the most important thing to consider is whether you can achieve gauge. Check the pattern's gauge statement against stash-yarn, handspun, or the above recommended yarns before jumping headfirst into the knitting.

For the makealong, Carrie and Ashley will be working with Biches and Buches Le Petit Lambswool, with Ashley holding it single-weight for the light-weight version, and Carrie holding double for a worsted-weight cardigan. 

Le petit has a lovely heathering effect, and most of the colorways are subtly multi-toned giving each finished garment a timeless sort of feel. The hand and feel of this yarn strikes the perfect balance of soft and hard-wearing, making it pleasant to work with, and likely to stand years of rugged use. We're working on our swatches now, and because of the lovely woolen-spun way this yarn was made, we expect a bit of light fluffy blooming once swatches are wet-blocked.

Ashley will also be sewing a UNIFORM tunic from Purl Soho's linen fabric while we knit-away at our cardigans, for those who plan on sewing with us. If you're curious about what fabric choice might make a great tunic, take a look at Jen's post on the Grainline Blog.  

We think the most entertaining part of the UNIFORM cardigan is picking out which version to knit (hem inset pockets or no hem inset pockets, that is the question...) Keep up with our progress on Instagram as we plan which version of the cardigan we'll be making, as well as the prizes we have planned for the winners.