Lacy Cardigan

Lacy Cardigan by Sian Brown

What is Being Made

The Lacy Cardigan is a women's button-front cardigan sweater designed by Sian Brown. This garment features a lacy, textured construction and is available in four sizes to fit chest measurements ranging from 77-82 cm (30-32 ins) up to 107-112 cm (42-44 ins). The cardigan offers a finished chest measurement range of 90-123 cm (35½-48½ ins) with lengths varying from 55-61 cm (21¾-24 ins) depending on size. All sleeve lengths remain consistent at 47 cm (18½ ins) across all sizes. The design includes seven button closures for the front opening.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to create its distinctive appearance. The cardigan begins with a ribbed band worked on smaller needles, which provides structure and elasticity at the lower edge. The garment features a ridged eyelet pattern, which creates the lacy aesthetic characteristic of this design. Eyelet patterns are formed through yarn-over increases combined with corresponding decreases, producing small decorative holes throughout the fabric. The construction method involves working the back and front pieces separately before assembly, a standard approach for cardigan construction that allows for precise shaping and button band placement.

Stitches Used

The Lacy Cardigan incorporates fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace-specific techniques:

• Knit stitch (k): The basic stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Purl stitch (p): Used in ribbing and pattern work
• Yarn forward (yf) and yarn over (yo): Creates the eyelet holes characteristic of lacy patterns
• Yarn round needle (yrn): An alternative method for creating yarn-overs in pattern sequences
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (skpo): A left-leaning decrease used to balance yarn-overs
• Pass slipped stitch over (psso): Another decrease technique for shaping
• Make 1 (m1): An invisible increase method for adding stitches during shaping
• Ribbing (k2, p2): Creates the elastic cuff at the lower edge

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Lacy Cardigan is designed to be worked in Sirdar Baby Bamboo DK yarn in the shade Light Blue (169). The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 11 balls for the smallest size to 15 balls for the largest size, with each ball weighing 50 grams. DK (double knitting) weight yarn is a medium-weight option that knits to a standard tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows over 10 x 10 cm in stocking stitch on 4mm needles.

Needles and Tools

This project requires three pairs of needles in different sizes to achieve proper fabric characteristics at different stages of construction. Size 3.25mm needles are used for initial cast-on and early ribbing rows, creating a tighter, more elastic edge. Size 3.75mm needles continue the ribbed section, maintaining consistent tension through the rib. Size 4mm needles are used for the main body of the cardigan where the ridged eyelet pattern is worked, allowing the lace pattern to develop at the correct gauge. Additionally, seven buttons are required to complete the front closure of the cardigan.

Difficulty Level and Suitability

Rated as an intermediate-level project, the Lacy Cardigan is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with lace patterns. The combination of ribbing, eyelet patterning, and shaping techniques requires understanding of how to read pattern instructions, manage multiple stitch techniques, and execute increases and decreases accurately. The use of multiple needle sizes and the precision required for lace work make this an engaging project for developing knitters seeking to expand their technical capabilities.