Parasol Lace Cardigan

Parasol Lace Cardigan by Sian Brown

What is Being Made

The Parasol Lace Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed by Sian Brown, featuring an elegant lace pattern panel that creates a decorative parasol motif throughout the garment. This downloadable knitting pattern is suitable for intermediate-level knitters and is available in eight sizes ranging from 32 to 46 inches bust measurement, with finished bust measurements from 34 to 48 inches. The cardigan includes a button front closure and is designed with a classic silhouette, featuring set-in sleeves with a consistent 15cm (6 inch) length across all sizes.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its sophisticated design. The primary construction method uses stockinette stitch as the base fabric, providing a smooth, classic foundation. Lace-making techniques are central to the design, incorporating yarn overs and decreases to create the distinctive parasol lace pattern panel. The pattern uses both knit and purl stitches in combination to build texture and visual interest. Shaping is achieved through strategic increases and decreases, and the garment is constructed in pieces before being seamed together. The use of different needle sizes between the ribbing and main body creates proper tension and drape.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch used throughout the main body of the cardigan, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• Parasol Lace Pattern: A 17-stitch repeat panel worked over 12 rows, featuring yarn overs (yo) for creating decorative holes, knit stitches (k), purl stitches (p), purl two together decreases (p2tog), and knit three together decreases (k3tog) to form the parasol motif
• Ribbing: Used for edges and cuffs to create elasticity and a neat finish

Materials and Specifications

The Parasol Lace Cardigan is designed to be worked in King Cole Cotton Soft DK, a 100% cotton yarn with a yardage of 210 meters per 100 grams. The yarn weight is DK (double knitting), making it suitable for creating a lightweight, breathable garment ideal for warmer seasons. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 3 to 6 balls of 50-gram weight depending on the finished bust measurement selected. The pattern calls for 3.25mm and 3.75mm knitting needles—the smaller needles are used for ribbed sections to maintain tension, while the larger needles are used for the main body. The tension is established at 24 stitches and 30 rows per 10 centimeters (4 inches) measured over stockinette stitch using the 3.75mm needles. The cardigan is finished with 9 buttons for the front closure.

Sizing Information

The pattern provides comprehensive sizing options to fit bust measurements from 82 to 117 centimeters (32 to 46 inches). The finished cardigan length to shoulder ranges from 54 to 58 centimeters (21¼ to 23 inches), with slight variations across sizes to ensure proper proportions. Sleeve length remains consistent at 15 centimeters (6 inches) across all sizes, creating a cropped or three-quarter sleeve effect.