I always love azure thing (and obscure puns, LOL)! This easy-to-wear open cardigan is exactly that and then some.

A surprisingly simple 4-row lace pattern is featured throughout. Its true beauty is emphasized by the chunkier yarn and bigger needles used to knit this cardigan.

Dramatically sloped shoulders modernize this cardigan and give it a very flattering silhouette.

Wide armhole openings allow you to wear this over many sleeve styles. And in the chunky cotton shown here, it's the perfect layer that is just enough to ward off the chill during the warmer months. You may chose to knit your version in a merino wool, making this a lacy layer for fall and winter.

And a surprising benefit (for the smaller sizes esp. – see photos) is that while this cardigan looks great worn right-side up, it is equally, if not more, flattering when worn upside-down! Flipped over, the naturally scalloped, raw edge of the lace pattern creates a pretty effect along the front edges. And the shoulders and shaping turn it instantly into an of-the-moment shrug.

This is a versatile piece that will carry you through many seasons and outfits.

Errata fixed 9/7/15: For sizes M/L and 1X p. 7 chart ONLY: For Rows 2 and 16, the first yo and first dec should be omitted and worked as a k st.

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Finished Measurements: 19 ¼ (22 ¼, 25 ¼, 28 ¼, 31 ¼)" [49 (56.5, 64, 72, 79.5) cm] BACK width at Underarm; 25 ¼ (28 ¼, 31 ¼, 34 ¼, 37 ¼)" [64 (72, 79.5, 87, 94.5) cm] armhole to armhole; 24 ¼ (24 ¼, 26 ½, 28 ¾, 28 ¾)" [61.5 (61.5, 67.5, 73, 73) cm] total length at center BACK. TO FIT SIZES: XS (S, M/L, 1X, 2X/3X) to fit Bust sizes 28-30 (32-34, 36-42, 44-46, 48-54)" [71-76 (81.5-86.5, 91.5-106.5, 112-117, 122-137) cm] with 10 1/2 to 12 1/2" ease. If you prefer a slimmer fit you may wish to choose a smaller size. Add'l sizing notes in the pattern.

Skill Level:   (Shoulder shaping in Lace is charted, not written.)

Yarn Used: Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton (100% Cotton; 3.5 oz/100g [150 yds/137 m] per hank): 3 (4, 5, 5, 5) hanks in Color #632 Mediterranean.

Gauge(s):
Pattern Gauge: 12 sts and 14 rows = 4" [10 cm] in Lace patt. PLEASE TAKE TIME TO FULLY BLOCK YOUR SWATCHES AND CHECK YOUR GAUGE, AS THE YARDAGE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON MATCHING THE GAUGE.
Yarn Label Gauge and Information: A heavy worsted-weight cotton yarn (yarn label of 4-5 sts = 1" [2.5 cm] on size 7-9 [4.5-5.5 mm] needles).

Total Yardage Required: 510 (540, 720, 780, 820) yds [466 (494, 658, 713, 750) m].  NOTE: These yardage estimates include generous padding to allow for the substitution of other yarns, esp. non-cotton fibers. The Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton is a loosely-plied, 100% cotton yarn that was wet-blocked, stretched, and pinned to dry in order to achieve the Gauge given above and the Finished Measurements. Other yarns (esp. acrylic) may not stretch with blocking and could then require more yarn. 

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

Knitting Needles Used: Size 11 [8 mm] needles OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE.

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