A simple wrap cardigan is a lovely basic for anyone's wardrobe. This one is top-down and seamless for a great project with minimal finishing. Plus, it's knit in a lovely brushed alpaca silk, so it's an incredibly soft and cozy layer.

The cardigan begins by knitting the ribbed neckband to the shoulders. Stitches are then picked up along the side edge of the neckband to set up the fronts, back, and sleeves. The neckband is then knit along with the body to the bottom.

As you knit down, increases are made at either end for the neckline in addition to the increases along the raglan "seams". At the underarm, the body is joined together, leaving the sleeve stitches on hold. The neckline shaping continues and decreases are added to shape to the waist before the bottom ribbing and attached waist ties.

The blousy sleeves are knit in the round with increases to the wrist, where the stitches are then gathered with decreases right before the ribbed cuff finish.

The sample here is knit on size US 9 [5.5 mm] needles in a brushed alpaca silk from Garnstudio Drops. This pattern can easily be knit with another soft, Aran-weight yarn (cream-colored one in images). 

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.

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Finished Knit Bust Measurements: 33 (37 ¾, 41 ½, 45, 49 ¾, 53 ½, 57)" [84 (96, 105.5, 114.5, 126.5, 136, 145) 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].

Skill Level:

Yarn Used: Garnstudio DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk (77% Alpaca, 23% Silk); 0.9 oz/25 g [153 yds/140 m] per ball: 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7) balls in Color #14 Blue.

Gauge(s):
Pattern Gauge: 10 sts = 3" [7.5 cm] and 23 rows = 4" [10 cm] in St st, blocked .
Yarn Label Gauge and Information: An Aran-weight yarn in a brushed alpaca or mohair blend with a gauge of 17 sts = 24 rows = 4" [10 cm] on size 8 [5 mm] needles.

Total Yardage Required: 595 (675, 725, 775, 855, 925, 985) [544 (617, 663, 709, 782, 846, 901) m].

Some suggested yarn substitutes to try:
Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Kid Mohair, Cascade Yarns El Cielo, Idena Mohair Lux, Katia Silk-Alpaca, Bremont Textiles Claire; (Aran-weight, but different textures than the brushed alpaca silk): Malabrigo Yarn Worsted, Noro Kureyon, Garnstudio DROPS Nepal, Berroco Comfort Solids & Heathers, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, Blue Sky Fibers Organic Cotton Worsted, Garnstudio DROPS Air, Garnstudio DROPS Big Merino, Berroco Ultra Wool, Cascade Yarns Eco Duo. OR try 2 strands of DK-weight yarn or 1 lace-weight (like a mohair or alpaca silk) + 1 light-worsted yarn.
If you have a yarn substitute to suggest for this project, email us!

Knitting Needles Used: Size 9 [5.5 mm] 36" [60 cm] or longer circular knitting needle OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE; Size 9 [5.5 mm] 16" [60 cm] circular knitting needle (for working SLEEVES in the round) OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE; Size 8 [5.0 mm] set of DPNs or 9" [23 cm] circular needles (for working CUFFS in the round) OR one size smaller than main needle.

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