The Calluna Cardigan is a stunning, textured knit that combines intricate lace with a ribbed design, creating a piece that’s both stylish and functional. Inspired by the Calluna Shrub, this cardigan is designed with a delicate balance of texture and flexibility, offering a versatile layering piece for any wardrobe.
What sets the Calluna Cardigan apart is its easy-to-follow construction. The lace pattern, while beautiful, doesn’t require complex shaping, making it perfect for beginner knitters looking to challenge themselves with a project that still delivers stunning results. The ribbing incorporated throughout the design adds the perfect amount of stretch, giving the cardigan a comfortable, flattering fit that moves with you.
This cardigan features minimal shaping, making it an excellent project for beginners who want to try lace knitting but aren’t ready for complicated techniques. The final result is a piece that pairs wonderfully with casual outfits or can be dressed up for a more refined look. Whether you’re knitting for yourself or as a gift, the Calluna Cardigan is an excellent choice for a fun and accessible lace project.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 33 (37½, 41, 46, 51, 54½)” to fit bust 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)”
2-4” positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 37½”
Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Pattern Stitch using larger needles after wet blocking.
Materials
Yarn:
Nako Luks Minnos (50% Acrylic, 50% Polyamide; 367 yards [336 meters]/100 grams): #5819Emerald, 3 (3, 4, 5, 6, 6) balls
Needles:US size 5 (3.75 mm): 24” circular; US size 6 (4 mm): 24” circular
Notions: Markers; stitch holders; tapestry needle; six (0.75 cm) buttons
Abbreviations
Pfb – Purl into front and back of st
Sk2p – Sl1st, knit 2 sts together and pass slipped st over
Special Stitches
Pattern Stitch (multiple 6 sts + 7)
Rows 1 and 3 (RS): K2, p3, *k3, p3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Rows 2 and 4 (WS): P2, k3, *p3, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 5: *K1, yo, ssk, p1, k2tog, yo; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 6: P3, k1, *p5, k1; rep from * to last 3 sts, p3.
Row 7: *K1, yo, k1, sk2p, k1, yo; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rows 8, 10 and 12: Purl
Row 9: *K2, yo, sk2p, yo, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 11: Knit.
Rows 13 and 15: P2, k3, *p3, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Rows 14 and 16: K2, p3, *k3, p3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 17: *P1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 18: *K1, p5; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 19:K2tog, k1, yo, *k1, yo, k1, sk2p, k1, yo; rep from * to last 4 sts, k1, yo, k1, ssk.
Rows 20 and 22: Purl.
Row 21:K2tog, yo, k3, *yo, sk2p, yo, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, yo, ssk.
Row 23: Knit.
Row 24: Purl.
Rep Rows 1-24 for patt.
Pattern Notes
The body of this cardigan is worked back and forth in one piece from the lower edge to the underarm where it is separated for the two fronts and back. The sleeves are worked back and forth and seamed. The front and neck bands are picked up and worked in one piece.
It is recommended that the lace not be pulled and blocked to its fullest extent.
When decreasing at an edge in lace pattern, work the yo and its corresponding decrease only if enough stitches are available to work both. If not, work the stitches in stockinette.
The first and last stitches are worked as edge stitches throughout and worked in stockinette stitch (body, sleeves and armholes).
Pattern
With smaller needles, CO 159 (183, 201, 225, 249, 267) sts.
Row 1 (RS): *K3, p3; rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 2: *P3, k3; rep from * to last 3 sts, p3
Rep Rows 1-2 for 1½”.
Change to larger needles and work in pattern from chart or written instructions, keeping the first and last sts in St st as edge sts.
Cont in patt until piece meas 14½ (14½, 15, 15¼, 15¼, 16)” from CO edge, ending with Row 3 or 15.
Divide for Front and Back
Next Row (WS): Work 31 (37, 43, 49, 49, 55)sts in patt, pfb, place 33 (39, 45, 51, 51, 57) sts just worked on holder for Left Front, BO 10 (10, 10, 10, 22, 22) sts in patt, work 73 (85, 91, 103, 103, 109) sts in patt, pfb, place 75 (87, 93, 105, 105, 111) sts just worked on holder for Back, BO 10 (10, 10, 10, 22, 22) sts in patt, work in patt to end – 33 (39, 45, 51, 51, 57) sts rem for Right Front.
Right Front
Work in patt untilArmhole meas 1” keeping first and last sts in stst.
Shape Neck
Dec Row (RS): K1, ssk, work in patt to last st, k1 – 1 st dec’d.
Next Row: P1, work in patt to last 2 sts, p2.
Work Dec Row every RS row 0 (1, 3, 7, 10, 13) more times, then every 4th row 9 (10, 10, 8, 7, 6) times – 23 (27, 31, 35, 32, 37) sts rem.
Work even until Armhole meas 8 (8½, 8½, 8¾, 8¾, 9)”.
Shape Shoulder
Short Row 1 (RS): Work to last 5 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Short Row 2: Work in patt to end.
Short Row 3: Work to 5 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts before wrapped st, wrap next st, turn.
Short Row 4: Work in patt to end.
Short Rows 5-6:Rep Rows 3-4.
Next Row (RS): Work to end,working wraps together with wrapped sts. Place sts on holder.
Back
Return 75 (87, 93, 105, 105, 111) Back sts to needle and with RS facing, rejoin yarn.
Work even in patt until Armhole meas 8 (8½, 8½, 8¾, 8¾, 9)” ending with a WS row. Shape shoulders and neck as follows:
Short Row 1 (RS): Work to last 5 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Short Row 2 (WS): Work 18 (22, 25, 28, 25, 29) sts in pattern, place next 52 (60, 62, 70, 73, 74) sts on holder for neck and Right Shoulder.
Left shoulder
Short Row 3: Work to 5 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts before wrapped st, wrap next st, turn.
Short Row 4: Work in patt to end.
Short Rows 5-6: Rep Rows 3-4.
Next Row (RS): Work to end working wraps together with wrapped sts. Place sts on holder.
Right Shoulder
Return 52 (60, 62, 70, 73, 74) sts on holder to needle and with WS facing, rejoin yarn.
Short Row 1 (WS): BO 29 (33, 31, 35, 41, 37) sts, work to last 5 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts, wrap next st and turn.
Short Row 2: Work in pattern to end.
Short Row 3: Work to 5 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts before wrapped st, wrap next st, turn.
Short Row 4: Work in patt to end.
Short Rows 5-6: Rep Rows 3-4.
Next Row (WS): Work to end working wraps together with wrapped sts. Place sts on holder.
Left Front
With RS facing, join yarn, work in patt until Armhole meas 1” keeping first and last sts in St st.
Shape Neck
Dec Row (RS): Work in patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 – 1 st dec’d.
Next Row: P2, work in patt to last st, p1.
Work Dec Row every RS row 0 (1, 3, 7, 10, 13) more times, then every 4th row 9 (10, 10, 8, 7, 6) times – 23 (27, 31, 35, 32, 37) sts rem.
Work even until Armhole meas 8 (8½, 8½, 8¾, 8¾, 9)”.
Shape Shoulder
Short Row 1 (WS): Work to last 5 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Short Row 2: Work in patt to end.
Short Row 3: Work to 5 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts before wrapped st, wrap next st, turn.
Short Row 4: Work in patt to end.
Short Rows 5-6: Rep Rows 3-4.
Next Row (WS): Work to end working wraps together with wrapped sts. Place sts on holder.
Sleeves (make 2)
With smaller needles, CO 50 sts.
Row 1 (RS): K3, *p3,k3; rep from * to last 5sts, p3, k2.
Row 2 (WS): P2, k3, *p3, k3; rep from * to last 3 sts, p3.
Rep Rows 1-2 for 1½”.
Change to larger needles.
Next Row (RS): K1, work in patt as est to last st, m1, k1 – 51 sts.
Next Row (WS): P2, work in patt as est.
Inc Row: K1, m1, work in lace patt beg with Row 3 to last st, m1, k1 – 2 sts inc’d; 53 sts.
Rep Inc Row every 6 (4, 4, 4, 4, 4) rows 14 (17, 17, 20, 20, 20) more times –81 (87, 87, 93, 93, 93) sts
Work in patt untilSleeve meas 18 (18, 18, 18½, 18½, 18½)” from CO edge, ending with Row 12 or 24.
BO and break yarn.
Finishing
Join at shoulders with 3-needleBO. Seam underarms and seam sleeves to armholes.
Front Bands
With RS facing, pick up and k3 sts for every 4 rows along the Right Front, pick up and knit (k1, yo, k1) at the point where neck shaping begins, pick up and k5 sts every 6 rows along right front neck, pick up and k29 (33, 31, 35, 41, 37) sts from Back neck, pick up and k5 sts every 6 rows along left Front neck, pick up and knit (k1, yo, k1) at the point where neck shaping ends, pick up and k3 sts for every 4 rows along the Left Front, making sure an odd number of sts is picked up.
Work 3 rows in 1×1 rib.
Work evenly spaced (k2tog, yo) 6 or 7 times for buttonholes in the next row, working the yos as regular sts in the next row.
Work 2 more rows in 1×1 rib and BO in patt.
Weave in ends and block to schematic measurements.
How can 3 balls of 100gr. Be the right amount to complete this cardigan in a size 37