Yarns with strong personalities pair well with simpler stitch patterns and classic, yet modern silhouettes. This cardigan is a prime example in the unique alpaca, merino, and nylon blend yarn shown here. The yarn is actually a fine knit tube with subtle variations in color that give it lots of depth and interest.

The cardigan is worked fairly quickly in one seamless piece on big needles. It starts at the bottom with a wide band of twisted ribbing. At the underarms, the back and fronts are divided and knit up to the shoulders separately. Decreases shape the V-neckline and short rows slope the shoulders for a great fit.

After seaming the shoulders with 3-needle bind off, the generous sleeves are picked up and knit in the round. A few reps of lace at the wrist echo the front lace just before the sleeves are gathered at the cuffs and finished with the twisted rib.

Twisted rib front bands are then picked up and knit, with buttonholes created along the way. The lace pattern is easy to learn and is both charted and written.

The cardigan as shown is knit to a modern, slightly cropped length, which works well with higher-waist styles and dresses.

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Finished Knit Bust Measurements: 40 (44, 47 ½, 51, 56, 59 ½, 63)" [101.5 (112, 120.5, 129.5, 142, 151, 160) 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]. There is ~ 10-11" [25.5-28 cm] of positive ease.

Skill Level: Intermediate 1

Yarn Used: Knit Picks Wonderfluff (70% Baby Alpaca, 7% Merino, 23% Nylon); 1.75 oz/50 g [142 yds/130 m] per ball: 6 (6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9) balls in #ZL02 Larkspur Heather.

Gauge(s):
Pattern Gauge: 10 sts = 3" [7.5 cm] and 21 rows = 4" [10 cm] in St st on larger needle, blocked; 14 sts = 4" [10 cm] in Lace on larger needle, blocked.
Yarn Label Gauge and Information: A bulky-weight yarn in a soft, alpaca-blend. Yarn label suggested gauge: 3-3.75 sts = 1" [2.5 cm] on size 10-11 [6-8 mm] needles.

Approximate Total Yardage Required: 755 (815, 865, 970, 1060, 1195, 1265) yds [690 (745, 791, 887, 969, 1093, 1157) m.

Some suggested yarns to try:
Rauma Puno, Pickles Cozy, Malabrigo Yarn Chunky, Malabrigo Yarn Mecha, Knit Picks Brava Bulky, Brooklyn Tweed Quarry, Knit Picks Cadena, madelinetosh Home, Woolfolk Luft, Fibre Co Tundra, Knit Picks Mighty Stitch Bulky
If you have a yarn substitute to suggest for this project, email us!

Knitting Needles Used: Size 10 ½ [6.5 mm] 32-40" [80-100 cm] circular needle OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE; Size 10 ½ [6.5 mm] 9" [23 cm] circular needle or set of DPNs OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE for working SLEEVES in the round (or you can use the longer circular needle and magic loop method); Size 10 [6 mm] 32-40" [80-100 cm] circular needle OR .5 mm smaller than main needle for bottom ribbing only

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