Such an incredibly soft and luxurious silk and alpaca yarn called for a design with many feminine and romantic details.

The design needed to be dramatic, yet subtle in its elegance. It needed to have beautiful stitchwork that would draw the eye and present some contrasting textures.

And it needed to have a relaxed fit that would just skim the body so the silkiness of the fabric would brush against the body often to remind the wearer of its supreme softness.

The result:
– a high low hem, almost like the elegant coat tails of long ago
– gently shaped, short dolman sleeves with a bit of a turned back cuff
– front curved and open neckline to allow for fabulous jewelry
– farrow ribbing to accentuate the vertical, slimming lines of the lace and create a contrasting texture

Fave/Queue this pattern on Ravelry.

Finished Knit Bust Measurements (measured flat): 28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52)" [71 (81.5, 91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132) 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]. NOTE: When worn, length at center back (because the weight of the cardigan and the nature of alpaca stretches slightly downwards) is approx 28 (28, 28 ½, 29 ¼, 29 ½, 30, 30 ¾)" [71 (71, 72.5, 74.5, 75, 76, 78) cm]. See schematic for Finished Blocked Flat Measurements.

Skill Level: /

Yarn Used: Blue Sky Alpacas Metalico (50% Baby Alpaca /50% Raw Silk); 1.76 oz/50g [147 yds/135 m] per ball): 5 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9) balls in Color #1610 Opal.

Gauge(s):
Pattern Gauge: 20 sts = 4" [10 cm] and 23 rows = 4" [10 cm] in Curved Leaf Lace patt.
Yarn Label Gauge and Information: A dk weight apaca/silk blend yarn with a gauge of 5-6 sts = 1" on US 3-5.

Total Yardage Required: 650 (730, 810, 920, 1020, 1100, 1220) yds [595 (668, 741, 841, 933, 1006, 1116) m].

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

Knitting Needles Used: Size 9 [5.5 mm] needles OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE.

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