Fleur Bleue

Fleur Bleue Lace Top Down Cardigan by Christal LK Designs

What is Being Made

The Fleur Bleue is a fitted lace cardigan designed by Christelle Nihoul and published by Christal LK Designs. This garment is a top-down construction cardigan worked in the round, featuring lace stitch details and finished with an elegant I-Cord Bind-Off. The cardigan is designed with negative ease, creating a tailored, close-fitting silhouette. It is available in six sizes ranging from 2 to 12, making it suitable for various body measurements and preferences.

Construction Techniques

The Fleur Bleue cardigan employs a top-down construction method, a popular technique in modern knitting that allows knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length. The cardigan is worked in the round using circular needles for the body, transitioning to smaller circumference knitting methods for the sleeves. The garment features an I-Cord Bind-Off applied along three edges: the bottom hem, the neckline, and both front edges. This decorative bind-off technique creates a polished, professional finish that frames the cardigan opening. The negative ease construction means the finished cardigan measurements are smaller than the wearer's body measurements, resulting in a fitted, elegant drape.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used in the Fleur Bleue cardigan is stockinette stitch, worked in the round. The pattern incorporates lace stitch elements, though specific lace motifs are referenced in the full pattern document. The gauge for stockinette stitch is 25 stitches and 38 rows per 10 centimeters (4 inches) when worked in the round after blocking, using 3.5 mm needles. This gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements and ensuring the negative ease fits properly.

Materials and Yarn

The Fleur Bleue cardigan is designed to be worked with worsted weight yarn (4-ply), specifically CLK Peregrine, which is composed of 100% merino wool. The yardage requirements vary by size: sizes 2, 4, and 6 require 410, 430, and 500 meters respectively, while sizes 8, 10, and 12 require 590, 660, and 730 meters respectively. The original sample shown was knitted in CLK Peregrine in the color Glacier. An alternative yarn option is Lilou MCN Twist, also 100% merino wool with a yardage of 366 meters per 100 grams, worked in the color Rose poudré. Both yarns are premium merino options suitable for creating a soft, breathable garment.

Needles, Hooks, and Notions

The Fleur Bleue pattern requires 3.5 mm (US size 4) circular needles in a 100 centimeter (40-inch) length for working the body in the round. A set of 3.5 mm (US size 4) needles is needed for sleeve construction or for the knitter's preferred method of small circumference knitting. An optional set of 3.75 mm (US size 5) needles is recommended for the I-Cord Bind-Off, though knitters may substitute their preferred needles for this technique. Additional notions include a 3.5 mm (US size E) crochet hook, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, six stitch markers (if needed), scrap yarn for the provisional cast-on method, and three 12 millimeter buttons for the cardigan front closure.

Difficulty Level

The Fleur Bleue cardigan is classified as an advanced knitting project. This difficulty rating reflects the combination of techniques required: top-down seamless construction, lace stitch work, working in the round, managing negative ease shaping, and executing an I-Cord Bind-Off. Knitters undertaking this project should have solid experience with circular needle techniques, lace pattern reading, and garment construction fundamentals.