Levisham Lace Sleeve Wrap Cardigan in West Yorkshire Spinners Bluefaced Leicester DK - DBP0180 - Downloadable PDF

Levisham Lace Sleeve Wrap Cardigan – Knitting Pattern by Sarah Hatton in West Yorkshire Spinners Bluefaced Leicester DK

The Levisham Lace Sleeve Wrap Cardigan is a hand knit design by Sarah Hatton, crafted using West Yorkshire Spinners Bluefaced Leicester DK yarn from the Riverside Collection. This elegant wrap-style cardigan features lace-detailed sleeves, combining classic construction with delicate decorative knitting to create a garment that is both wearable and visually striking. It is rated as an intermediate level knitting project, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to explore lace patterning within a structured garment design.

About the Design

The Levisham Lace Sleeve Wrap Cardigan takes its name and inspiration from the landscapes of Yorkshire, a theme that runs throughout the West Yorkshire Spinners Riverside Collection. The wrap cardigan silhouette is a timeless and flattering style, typically featuring an open front that crosses at the body and is secured or draped rather than fastened with buttons. The defining design feature here is the lace sleeve, which introduces an intricate, open-work texture to contrast with the more solid body of the cardigan. This combination of plain and lace knitting gives the finished garment a refined, feminine quality.

Techniques Used

• Lace knitting – The sleeves incorporate lace patterning, which involves a series of yarn-overs and corresponding decreases to create decorative holes and motifs within the fabric. Lace knitting requires careful attention to stitch counts and pattern repeats.
• Wrap cardigan construction – This style of garment typically involves shaping the fronts to create overlapping panels, requiring knowledge of front band knitting and body shaping techniques.
• Knitting in the round or flat – Cardigan construction at this level generally involves working flat pieces that are seamed together, including separate front panels, a back, and sleeves.
• Tension/gauge swatching – As with all garment knitting, achieving the correct tension is essential. The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches over 10 cm / 4 inches in stocking stitch.
• Seaming and finishing – Assembling the cardigan requires joining the knitted pieces neatly, a key intermediate skill.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch – The foundation stitch for the main body of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic knitted fabric.
• Lace stitch pattern – Used on the sleeves, incorporating yarn-overs (yo) and decreases such as k2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) to form the open-work lace design.
• Rib stitch – Typically used in wrap cardigans for cuffs, hems, and front bands to provide elasticity and a neat edge finish.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern is designed to be knitted in West Yorkshire Spinners Bluefaced Leicester DK, a premium British wool yarn spun from the fleece of Bluefaced Leicester sheep. This yarn is celebrated for its exceptional softness, natural lustre, and the purity of its British fleece. It is described by West Yorkshire Spinners as one of the finest yarns in Britain, with shades inspired by the Yorkshire countryside — from the rolling green hills of the Pennine Way to the limestone landscapes of Malham Cove.

• Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners Bluefaced Leicester DK – Riverside Collection
• Yarn weight: DK (double knitting)
• Shade options referenced: Fossil, Berry, Bramble, Brook
• Recommended needle size: As indicated by the tension swatch — achieving 22 stitches to 10 cm / 4 inches is the target, with needle size adjusted accordingly to match tension
• Needle type: Standard knitting needles suitable for DK weight yarn