Lace Blouson Cardigan

Lace Blouson Cardigan by Sian Brown

Garment Overview

The Lace Blouson Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed by independent designer Sian Brown, featuring an elegant lace pattern throughout. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted cardigan with a blouson silhouette, available in eight size options to fit bust measurements from 82cm to 117cm (32 to 46 inches). The finished cardigan features a length to shoulder ranging from 50cm to 57cm (19¾ to 22½ inches), with short sleeves measuring 4cm (1½ inches).

Lace Pattern and Design Details

The cardigan showcases a sophisticated lace stitch pattern that forms the primary design element. The lace pattern is worked over the back, front, and sleeves, creating an intricate openwork design. The pattern features yarn overs and decreases that form decorative holes and textured elements characteristic of lace knitting. The cardigan is finished with seven buttons for closure, adding both functional and decorative appeal to the blouson front.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Lace knitting: The primary technique, incorporating yarn overs and strategic decreases to create openwork patterns
• Yarn overs: Multiple variations including yarn round needle (yrn), yarn forward (yf), yarn over needle (yon), and double yarn overs (y2rn, y2on) to create the lace holes
• Decreases: Techniques including pass slipped stitch over (psso), single knit two together decreases (skpo), and double decreases (sk2po) to shape the lace pattern
• Stockinette stitch: Used as the base fabric in sections where lace is not worked
• Knit and purl stitches: Fundamental stitches used throughout the pattern construction

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and techniques. Core stitches include knit (k), purl (p), and various yarn over methods to create the lace openwork. Decreases are achieved through slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (skpo) and slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (sk2po) techniques. The lace pattern rows alternate between pattern rows and purl rows, creating the dimensional lace effect.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Lace Blouson Cardigan is designed to be knitted using sport weight yarn, specifically Debbie Bliss Eco Baby in the colorway Apple 06. The yardage requirements range from 7 to 11 balls of 50g yarn depending on the size selected, with larger sizes requiring additional yardage. The yarn is worked at a tension of 25 stitches and 34 rows to a 10cm (4 inch) square over stockinette stitch.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires two pairs of knitting needles: 3mm (US 2-3) needles and 3.25mm (US 3) needles. The 3mm needles are used for ribbing and edge work, while the 3.25mm needles are used for the main body and lace pattern work where the tension is measured. Seven buttons are required to complete the cardigan closure.

Sizing Information

The Lace Blouson Cardigan is available in eight sizes accommodating bust measurements from 82cm to 117cm (32 to 46 inches). Each size includes specific stitch counts for casting on and finished measurements for bust and length, allowing knitters to select the appropriate size for their desired fit. The consistent sleeve length of 4cm (1½ inches) across all sizes creates a uniform short-sleeve design.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, the Lace Blouson Cardigan requires solid foundational knitting skills. Knitters should be comfortable with lace knitting techniques, including managing yarn overs and multiple types of decreases, as well as reading and following lace pattern charts. The combination of lace patterning with garment shaping makes this suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic stockinette stitch projects.