Little cardigans like this are wardrobe essentials, especially if they are knit in an ultra soft yarn and feature lots of pretty lace!

This one is knit from the top-down, so you can knit the ¾-length sleeves and body length as shown, or easily make simple length adjustments. Plus, no seaming!

The wide back diamond lace panel is echoed by the two mirrored half panels in the front. Simple raglan increases and stitches cast on at the underarm make for a nice, tailored fit. A little bit of short row shaping at the top gently shapes the front neckline.

You can leave the finished cardigan without a closure or add the simple crocheted loop closure as shown with a pretty button.

The yarn is a gorgeously soft-to-the-touch baby alpaca and raw silk blend in a color called Cinnabar. Need I say more?

For the OPTIONAL Top-Down Cardigan Techniques PDF Download, please visit this page. Written instructions are included in this pattern, but the OPTIONAL download may be helpful to some.

Fave/Queue this pattern on Ravelry.

Errata fixed 5/21/14: St count errors for Sizes S and M ONLY: On page 8, Row 22, there is no Inc, so st count should not change. Then on page 9, Row 24 it should say 127, 135 sts for Sizes S and M after the Inc 8 is completed.

Finished Knit Bust Measurements (buttoned): 30 ¾ (34 ¾, 38 ¾, 42 ¾, 46 ¾, 50 ¾, 54 ¾)" [78 (88.5, 98.5, 108.5, 118.5, 129, 139) cm]. TO FIT SIZES: XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X) or Bust Sizes 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54)" [71-76 (81.5-86.5, 91.5-96.5, 101.5-106.5, 112-117, 122-127, 132-137) cm] with 0-2" [0-5 cm] negative ease.

Skill Level:

Yarn Used: Blue Sky Alpacas Metalico (50% Baby Alpaca /50% Raw Silk); 1.75 oz/50g [147 yds/135 m] per hank): 6 (6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10) hanks in Color #1615 Cinnabar.

Gauge(s):
Pattern Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4" [10 cm] in St st (blocked).
Yarn Label Gauge and Information: A dk weight yarn in an alpaca and silk blend with a gauge of 5 - 6 sts = 1" [2.5 cm] on size 3-5 needles [3.25 mm-3.75 mm].

Total Yardage Required: 780 (870, 980, 1095, 1220, 1320, 1445) [713 (796, 896, 1001, 1116, 1207, 1321) m].

Some suggested yarn substitutes to try:
If you have a yarn substitute to suggest for this project, email us!

Knitting Needles Used: Size 7 [4.5 mm] 24" or longer circular knitting needle OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE (there are too many sts when working the cardigan to fit on straight needles); Size 7 [4.5 mm] set of DPNs or 9" [23 cm] circular needles (for working SLEEVES in the round) OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE.

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