Lots of feminine details, a lovely cream-colored alpaca/silk blend yarn, and amazing lace stitch patterns add up to this beautiful, stunning cardigan. The blousy shape and fluttery short sleeves create a pretty and flattering effect. The moss stitch waist band softly gathers in the fullness to define a nice waist and finish off the cropped shape.

Make this your signature piece this year. And because it's top-down, you can alter the length to suit your taste.

The design begins with a open-lace, cabled neckband worked side to side. Stitches are then picked up along one edge of the neckband for the body and sleeves. The rest of the cardigan is worked top-down.

Thin button bands are picked up and knit, starting above the waist band. The inverted v-shape created by the waist band when buttoned is also a detail designed to flatter. Optional chain ties are added at the neckline to create a keyhole effect when the top buttons are left open or as a way to secure the cardigan if the buttons are all undone.

For the OPTIONAL Top-Down Cardigan Techniques PDF Download, please visit this page. Written instructions are included in this pattern, but the OPTIONAL download may be helpful to some.

Finished Knit Measurements: At Bust: (when cardigan is buttoned):
40 (44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64)" [101.5 (112, 122, 132, 142, 152.5, 162.5) cm]; TO FIT SIZES: XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X) or Bust Sizes 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54)" [71-76 (81.5-86.5, 91.5-96.5, 101.5-106.5, 112-117, 122-127, 132-137) cm]

Skill Level:

Yarn Used: Knit Picks Andean Silk (55% Superfine Alpaca/23% Silk/22% Merino Wool); 1.75 oz/50 g [96 yds/88 m] per ball): 6 (6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9) balls in Cream #23520.

Gauge(s):
Pattern Gauge: 16 sts = 4" [10 cm] and 21 rows = 4" [10 cm] in St st.
Yarn Label Gauge and Information: A worsted weight yarn with a gauge of 4.5 - 5 sts = 1" on US size 6 - 9 needles..

Total Yardage Required: 576 (576, 672, 672, 768, 768, 864) yds [528 (528, 616, 616, 704, 704, 792) m].

Some suggested yarn substitutes to try:
Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Marine Silk Worsted
Cascade Yarns Alpaca Lana D'Oro
Rowan RYC Cashsoft Aran
The Fibre Company Organik
Cascade Yarns Venezia Worsted
Spud & Chloë Sweater
If you have a yarn substitute to suggest for this project, email us!

Knitting Needles Used: 1 - 32" or longer circular needle in size 10 [6 mm] OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE (there are too many stitches to comfortably knit on straight needles); Size G/6 [4.5mm] crochet hook (for optional ties)

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