Valssi (Waltz) Lace Cardigan in Novita - 0070015 - Downloadable PDF

Valssi (Waltz) Lace Cardigan by Lea Petäjä

What is Being Made

The Valssi (Waltz) Lace Cardigan is a knitted cardigan featuring decorative lace stripes integrated into the front body. This intermediate-level design comes in three sizes: S/M, L/XL, and 2XL, with finished body circumferences ranging from 100 cm to 134 cm (39¼ to 52¾ inches). The cardigan is constructed with a structured fit, featuring ribbed edging and stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, with lace patterning strategically placed at the front.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design. Ribbing is used at the lower edge, worked in a p1, k2 pattern for approximately 3 cm to create an elastic, fitted hem. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric surface. Increases are worked at regular intervals to shape the garment—specifically, increases are made at the right edge every 6.5 to 7 cm (depending on size), repeated four times to gradually expand the piece from the initial cast-on. Lace striping is incorporated as a decorative element, with the first lace stripe beginning when the front body measures between 20.5 and 23.5 cm, depending on size. The lace pattern is worked over 23 stitches according to a provided chart. Bind-off shaping is used at the neckline, with 3 sets of 2-stitch bind-offs worked on every other row to create a curved neckline edge.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the fundamental stitch forming the primary fabric
• Purl stitch (p) – used in ribbing and as part of lace pattern charting
• Yarn overs – implied in the lace stripe pattern to create openwork design
• Decreases – worked as part of the lace pattern to balance yarn overs and create the lace motif
• Ribbing (p1, k2 repeat) – creates the elastic cuff at the garment hem

Materials

This cardigan is designed to be knitted with Novita Venla yarn in the shade Off White (010). Yarn quantities vary by size: the S/M size requires 350 grams, the L/XL size requires 400 grams, and the 2XL size requires 500 grams. The yarn weight is 4-ply, a medium-weight yarn suitable for garment construction. Knitting is worked on Novita 3 mm needles (UK size 11 / US size 2½), or needles in the size needed to achieve the correct gauge for the pattern.

Garment Dimensions

The cardigan features the following finished measurements across the three sizes:

• Body circumference: 100 cm (S/M), 116 cm (L/XL), 134 cm (2XL)
• Length: 56 cm (S/M), 60 cm (L/XL), 64 cm (2XL)
• Inner sleeve length: 47 cm (S/M), 49 cm (L/XL), 50 cm (2XL)

Pattern Construction Details

The cardigan is constructed by casting on between 67 and 90 stitches depending on size. The ribbed edge is worked for 3 cm before transitioning to stockinette stitch. Shaping increases begin when the piece measures 8 to 9 cm and are spaced approximately 6.5 to 7 cm apart, resulting in a final stitch count of 71 to 94 stitches. The lace stripe element is introduced partway through the front body construction, with the pattern worked from a chart over the final 23 stitches plus one additional knit stitch. Neckline shaping is achieved through bind-offs of 2 stitches, worked 3 times on every other row at the neckline edge.