Bold and flirty lace makes up the back of this cardigan, combined with the fitted shape to create a casually elegant garment. The body uses strong waist shaping to flatter the female form and a deep, v-neck keeps in the spirit of classic cardigans. You’ll love this modern take on a fun, classic cardi.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 31.5 (33.75, 37.5, 42, 46, 51.25)” / [80 (85.75, 95.25, 106.5, 116.75, 130.25) cm]. 0.5” / [2.5 cm] positive ease recommended. Shown in size 40.75”.
Gauge: 21 sts and 31 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Sock (100% Merino wool; 395 yards [361 meters]/100 grams): Havana (3 (3, 3, 3,4, 5) skeins).
Needles: US size 5 (3.75 mm) 24” circular; US size 5 (3.75 mm) DPNs
Notions: Markers, stitch holders, tapestry needle.
Pattern Notes
Piece is worked back and forth with a circular needle being used to accommodate the large number of stitches. The lacy collar is worked separately and then sewn on; both the body and the collar should be blocked before sewing together.
Back Lace
Row 1 (RS): K1, *yo, ssk, k7, k2tog, yo, K1; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K1, *k1, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K1, *(yo, ssk) twice, k3, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K1, *k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: K1, *(yo, ssk) twice, yo, sl2, k1, p2sso, (yo, k2tog) twice, yo, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 10: Purl.
Row 11: K1, *k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k4; rep from * to end.
Row 12: Purl.
Row 13: K1, *k2 k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 14: Purl.
Row 15: K1, *k1, (k2tog, yo) twice, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 16: Purl.
Row 17: K1, *(k2tog, yo) twice, k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 18: Purl.
Row 19: K2tog, yo, *(k2tog, yo) 3 times, k, (yo, ssk) twice, yo, sl2, k1, p2sso (note: on last rep, work ssk); rep from * to end.
Row 20: Purl.
Rep Rows 1-20 for patt.
Pattern
Body
CO 169 (181, 201, 225, 245, 273) sts.
Row 1 (RS): P1, *k1, p1; rep from * to end.
Cont in rib patt until piece meas 2” / [5 cm] from CO edge, ending on a RS row.
Next Row (WS): Purl.
Next Row (RS): K66 (72, 76, 82, 92, 100), work Back Lace patt across next 37 (37, 49, 61, 61, 73) sts, knit to end.
Cont in patt until piece meas 3” / [7.5 cm] from CO edge, ending on a RS row.
Set-up Row (WS): P41 (44, 49, 55, 60, 67), pm, p87 (93, 103, 115, 125, 139), pm, purl to end.
Dec Row (RS): *Work in patt to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1, sm, k1, k2tog; rep from * once more, work in patt to end. (4 sts dec’d)
Rep Dec Row every 6th row 6 (5, 5, 5, 4, 4) more times. (141 (157, 177, 201, 225, 253) sts)
Work even in patt until piece meas 10 (10, 11, 11, 11, 12)” / [25.5 (25.5 28, 28, 28, 30.5) cm] from CO edge, ending on WS row.
Inc Row (WS) *Work in patt tot 1 st before m, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l; rep from * once more, work in patt to end. (4 sts inc’d)
Rep Inc Row every 8th row 5 (4, 4, 4, 3, 3) more times. (165 (177, 197, 221, 241, 269) sts)
Work even in patt until piece meas 17 (17, 17, 18, 18, 18)” / [43.25 (43.25, 43.25 45.75, 45.75, 45.75) cm] from CO edge, ending on a WS row.
Sleeves (make 2)
CO 52 (54, 58, 64, 72, 82), pm, join for working in the rnd.
Next Rnd: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
Cont in rib patt for 1” / [2.5 cm].
Next Rnd: Work in St st until piece meas 3” / [7.5 cm] from CO edge.
Inc Rnd: K1, m1l, knit to 1 st from end, m1r, k1. (2 sts inc’d)
Work even until piece meas 4” / [10 cm] from CO edge.
Next Rnd: K5 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9) sts past m, break yarn leaving a long tail.
Place 5 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9) sts before m and 5 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9) sts after m of holder for underarm.
Place remaining 44 (44, 46, 50, 58, 66) sts on holder or scrap yarn.
Yoke
Joining Row (RS): K35 (37, 41, 46, 51, 57) Right Front sts, place next 10 (12, 14, 16, 16, 18) sts on holder for underarm, removing m, pm, k44 (44, 46, 50, 58, 66) Sleeve sts from holder, pm, work in patt across 75 (79, 87, 97, 107, 119) Back sts, place next 10 (12, 14, 16, 16, 18) sts on holder for underarm, removing m, pm, k44 (44, 46, 50, 58, 66) Sleeve sts from holder, pm, knit to end. (233 (241, 261, 289, 325, 365) sts)
Work 1 WS row.
Note: Neck shaping is worked through Armhole and Sleeve Cap shaping. Read instructions carefully before beginning.
Neck Dec Row (RS): K1, ssk, work in pat to 3 sts before end, k2tog, k1. (2 sts dec’d; 231 (239, 259, 287, 323, 363) sts)
Rep Neck Dec Row every 4 rows 11 (12, 12, 14, 15, 16) more times. (11 (12, 12, 14, 15, 16) sts removed from Neck Edge; 17 (18, 22, 23, 23, 24) Front sts)
AT THE SAME TIME, work Armhole and Sleeve cap as follows:
Shape Armhole Dec Row (RS): *Work in patt to 3 sts before m, k3tog, sm, knit to m, sm, sssk; rep from * once more, work in patt end. (8 sts dec’d).
Rep Armhole Dec Row every RS row 2 (3, 3, 5, 6, 7) more times. (24 (32, 32, 48, 56, 64) sts removed)
Work WS row even
Shape Sleeve Cap Dec Row (RS): *Work in patt to m, sm, ssk, work to 2 sts from m, k2tog, sm; rep from * once more, work in patt to end. (4 sts dec’d)
Cont in patt, working Sleeve Caps Dec Row every 4th row 3 (4, 3, 3, 3, 1) more times, then every RS row 11 (10, 12, 12, 14, 16) times, ending on a RS row.
Dec Row (WS): *Work to Sleeve m, sm, p2tog, p to 2 sts before m, ssp, sm; rep from * once more, work in patt to end. (4 Sleeve Cap sts dec’d)
Work Dec Row every row 2 (2, 2, 4, 6, 10) times. (8 sleeve cap sts)
Shape Shoulders using short row shaping as follow:
Next Row (RS): Knit to first Sleeve m, sm, ssk and sl st to left needle, turn. (1 st dec’d)
Next Row (WS): Purl to end. Rep last 2 rows 3 more times. (3 Right Sleeve sts)
Next Row (RS): Knit to Left Sleeve m, sm, ssk and sl st to left needle. (1 st dec’d)
Next Row (WS): Purl to next Sleeve m, sm, p2tog and sl st to left needle. (1 st dec’d)
Rep last 2 rows twice more. (1 Right Sleeve st; 5 Left Sleeve sts)
Next Row (RS): Work in patt to end.
Next Row (WS): Work in patt to first Sleeve m, sm, p2tog and sl st to left needle, turn. (1 st dec’d)
Next Row (RS): Work in patt to end.
Next Row (WS): Work in patt to 1 st before first Sleeve m, p2tog, removing m, sm, p to next Sleeve m, sm, p2tog, removing m, work to end.
Join Shoulders
Removing m as you come to them, break yarn leaving a long tail, place 17 (18, 22, 23, 23, 24) Right Front Shoulder sts on DPN, then place 17 (18, 22, 23, 23, 24) back sts on another DPN. Join together using Three-Needle Bind-Off.
Rejoin yarn and BO 29 (31, 31, 35, 37, 39) Neck sts, break yarn leaving long tail, place rem 17 (18, 22, 23, 23, 24) Back sts on DPN, then place 17 (18, 22, 23, 23, 24) Left Front Shoulder sts on another DPN. Join together using Three-Needle Bind-Off.
Collar
CO 26 sts.
Knit 1 row
Row 1: Sl 2 pwise, *k3, k2tog, yo; rep from * 3 more times, knit to end.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Sl 2 pwise, *k3, yo, ssk; rep from * 3 more times, knit to end.
Row 4: Purl.
Rep last 4 rows until piece can wrap around entire Front when loosely stretched.
Without binding off, wet block collar.
Finishing
Graft Underarm sts using Kitchener st.
Weave in ends. Block to measurements.
Starting at Left Edge, with the RS of the Collar facing the WS of the Body, sew Collar to Body.
Adjust length, if necessary.
BO.