Cropped Diamond Lace Cardigan

Cropped Diamond Lace Cardigan by Sian Brown

Project Overview

This is a knitted cardigan designed by independent designer Sian Brown, featuring a sophisticated diamond lace pattern combined with classic stockinette stitch construction. The garment is cropped in length, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various styling occasions. The design includes a button-front closure and is available in five size options to fit bust measurements from 81cm to 112cm (32 to 42 inches).

What Is Being Made

A cropped cardigan with the following specifications:

• Five size options with finished bust measurements ranging from 92cm to 128cm (36¼ to 50¼ inches)
• Cropped length to shoulder ranging from 36cm to 44cm (14¼ to 17¼ inches) depending on size
• Fixed sleeve length of 30cm (11¾ inches)
• Button-front closure featuring six buttons
• Two-color colorwork design combining a main color with contrasting accent color

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level project employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design:

• Diamond lace pattern work – the signature design element created through strategic yarn overs and decreases
• Stockinette stitch – smooth, flat fabric used as the primary background stitch
• Ribbed edging – knit and purl ribbing (k2, p2 pattern) used for the cast-on and structural edges to provide elasticity and definition
• Colorwork integration – transitioning between the contrast color ribbing and main color body
• Shaping techniques – strategic increases worked evenly across rows to adjust stitch counts and create proper fit
• Button band construction – structured front bands to accommodate six buttons

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined to create texture and lace effects:

• Knit (k) – the primary stitch forming the smooth face of stockinette stitch
• Purl (p) – used in ribbing and reverse stockinette sections
• Yarn forward (yf) – creates eyelets and openings essential to the diamond lace pattern
• Yarn round needle (yrn) – an alternative yarn over technique for lace construction
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (skpo) – a left-leaning decrease used in lace pattern shaping
• Pass slipped stitch over (psso) – a decrease technique paired with slipped stitches for lace definition
• Make 1 stitch (m1) – an invisible increase method for adjusting stitch counts

Materials and Specifications

The cardigan is designed to be worked in sport weight yarn, requiring the following materials:

• Main yarn (M): Debbie Bliss Baby Eco Ecru 16 – 6 to 10 balls of 50g depending on size selected
• Contrast yarn (C): Burnt Orange 33 – 3 to 5 balls of 50g depending on size selected
• Needles: Pair each of 3mm (US 2-3) and 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles – the smaller needles are used for ribbed edging while the larger needles are used for the main body and lace pattern
• Notions: Six buttons for the front closure

Gauge and Tension

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this intermediate project:

• Stockinette stitch gauge: 25 stitches and 34 rows over 10cm (4 inches) using 3.25mm needles
• Pattern gauge: 24 stitches and 33 rows over 10cm (4 inches) over the diamond lace pattern using 3.25mm needles